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Very Good

#284 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 22% in state

Fairfield Middle School

Middle School · Fairfield Comm School District

404 W Fillmore, Fairfield, IA 52556

Enrollment

418

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

7.4

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fairfield

#1 of 4

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#49 of 248

In district

#1 of 4

Fairfield Comm School District

Equity

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Fairfield Middle School

Fairfield Middle School is a regular public school located in the heart of Fairfield, Iowa. Serving students from fifth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 418 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1 with 29 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Fairfield Middle School reflects a solid foundation, with 76% of students proficient in ELA/Reading, 69% in Math, and 65% in Science.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and a state ranking of #303 out of 1288 schools in Iowa, the school is positioned at the 77th percentile statewide, indicating room for growth but also steady progress in student development. Fairfield Middle School is situated in a remote town setting, offering students a close-knit community environment. The school works closely with its community to provide educational opportunities and support for all its students.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.91 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.9Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65%
Reading/ELA Proficiency80%
Math vs. State Avg-7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.3 pts
Overall Proficiency73%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected+7.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,848

Fairfield Middle School — Students at Fairfield Middle School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 69.2%
School
State
73.1%
ELA Proficiency 76.0%
School
State
75.3%

Based on 16 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
72%
ELA
68%
2021*
Math
63%
ELA
70%
2022
Math
65%
ELA
80%
2025
Math
71%
ELA
78.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.2/10.

How Fairfield Middle School Compares

See how Fairfield Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
78th percentile in IA
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
7.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

404 W Fillmore, Fairfield, IA 52556

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fairfield Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. MAHARISHI SCHOOL (rated 9.4/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Salem Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 20.9 miles away, in nearby Mt. Pleasant), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Van Buren County Community Middle & High School (rated 8.0/10, 18.2 miles away, in nearby Keosauqua), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Fairfield, see our Fairfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Pence Elementary Fairfield 0.2 mi 6.1
Washington Elementary Fairfield 0.8 mi 6.9
Fairfield High School Fairfield 1.2 mi 5.2
MAHARISHI SCHOOL Fairfield 1.5 mi 9.4
SINGING CEDARS SCHOOL Fairfield 2.7 mi
Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center Keosauqua 12.8 mi 7.5
Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School Packwood 14.9 mi 6.7
Pekin Elementary School Packwood 14.9 mi 7.5
PEKIN CHILD CARE CENTER Packwood 14.9 mi
Van Buren County Community Middle & High School Keosauqua 18.2 mi 8.0
Cardinal High School Eldon 14.2 mi 6.8
Cardinal Junior High Eldon 14.2 mi 6.8
Cardinal Elementary Eldon 14.2 mi 5.0
WACO High School Wayland 19.5 mi 6.7
Van Buren County Community School District Harmony Center Keosauqua 22.4 mi 5.8
Keota Elementary School Keota 26.0 mi 7.4
Keota High School Keota 26.0 mi 7.2
Salem Elementary School Mt. Pleasant 20.9 mi 8.2
Washington High School Washington 24.8 mi 3.5
Sigourney Jr-Sr High Sch Sigourney 25.9 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52556 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,528

Median Home Value

$168,200

Median Rent

$877/mo

Population

11,586

College Educated

46.4%

Homeownership

60.9%

Avg Commute

12.9 min

Poverty Rate

16%

Median Age

45.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Fairfield Middle School has a median household income of $55,528. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $168,200, with a median rent of $877/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 13 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Center Point-Urbana Middle School Center Point, IA 7.4
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Middle School Garner, IA 7.4
Hazel Point Intermediate School Marion, IA 7.4
Keokuk Middle School Keokuk, IA 7.4
Knoxville Middle School Knoxville, IA 7.4
Le Mars Middle School Le Mars, IA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fairfield Middle School

What grades does Fairfield Middle School serve?

Fairfield Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Fairfield Middle School?

Fairfield Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 418 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fairfield Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Fairfield Middle School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fairfield Middle School rank in IA?

Fairfield Middle School is ranked #284 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Fairfield Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fairfield Middle School has a composite rating of 7.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Fairfield Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fairfield Middle School has 69.2% math proficiency and 76.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Fairfield Middle School a charter school?

No, Fairfield Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Fairfield Middle School a Title I school?

No, Fairfield Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fairfield Middle School?

45.7% of students at Fairfield Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (627/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fairfield). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
418
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Jefferson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Fairfield Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,466
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,640
District Rank
#1 of 4

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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