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Average

#988 of 1,280 schools in IA

Fort Dodge Middle School

Middle School · Fort Dodge Comm School District

800 North 32nd Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Enrollment

774

Student-Teacher

18.4:1

Score

5.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#988 of 1,280

In Fort Dodge

#2 of 7

public schools

In district

#2 of 7

Fort Dodge Comm School District

Academic growth

7.3 / 10

Very Good

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Fort Dodge Middle School

5.0/10

Middle School in Fort Dodge · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Fort Dodge High School

2.9/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Cooper Elementary School

3.1/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Fort Dodge Middle School

Fort Dodge Middle School is a public middle school in Fort Dodge, IA, part of Fort Dodge Comm School District. Fort Dodge Middle School serves approximately 774 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 18.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Fort Dodge Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #988 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Fort Dodge Middle School show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025).

How it compares1.7 pts below IA schools
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • IA avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Fort Dodge Middle School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

38% of students at Fort Dodge Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data11
Annual Change-0.49 pts/yr
Data Period2013–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.2Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56.8% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.8% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-15.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.9 pts
Overall Proficiency61% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)64% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-2.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,013
Chronic Absenteeism37.5%

Fort Dodge Middle School — Students at Fort Dodge Middle School score 61% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 53.4% (multi-year average, 2013-2025)
School
State
73.4% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 58.8% (multi-year average, 2013-2025)
School
State
76.8% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 27 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2013
Math
62%
ELA
59%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
58%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
60%
2016
Math
58%
ELA
58%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
58%
2018
Math
44%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
44%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
45%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
45%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
45%
ELA
59%
2025
Math
56.8%
ELA
64.8%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Fort Dodge Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
23th percentile in IA
Academic
4.2/10
Below Average
Growth
7.3/10
Very Good
Environment
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
37.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

800 North 32nd Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fort Dodge Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Humboldt Middle School (rated 8.4/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Humboldt), which scores notably higher. Another option is Southeast Valley Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Burnside), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Robert Blue School (rated 3.7/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Eagle Grove), a more accessible option. For more schools in Fort Dodge, see our Fort Dodge schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Fort Dodge High School Fort Dodge 0.5 mi 2.9
Cooper Elementary School Fort Dodge 0.7 mi 3.1
ST EDMOND CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Dodge 0.7 mi 5.3
ST EDMOND CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Dodge 0.7 mi 5.0
COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Dodge 1.4 mi 8.1
Duncombe Elementary School Fort Dodge 1.1 mi 3.3
Early Childhood Center Fort Dodge 1.3 mi 5.8
Butler Elementary School Fort Dodge 1.7 mi 2.7
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Dodge 1.7 mi 5.3
Feelhaver Elementary School Fort Dodge 1.7 mi 4.0
Southeast Valley Middle School Burnside 12.1 mi 7.0
Manson Northwest Webster Elementary Barnum 10.7 mi 7.0
Clyde D Mease Elementary School Dakota City 14.6 mi 3.9
Humboldt Middle School Humboldt 14.4 mi 8.4
Humboldt High School Humboldt 14.4 mi 5.7
Taft Elementary School Humboldt 14.8 mi 9.0
ST MARY SCHOOL Humboldt 14.9 mi 5.2
Dayton Center Dayton 17.9 mi 6.8
Robert Blue School Eagle Grove 16.1 mi 3.7
Eagle Grove Elementary Eagle Grove 16.1 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,130

Median Home Value

$139,700

Median Rent

$779/mo

Population

28,633

College Educated

20.5%

Homeownership

66.9%

Avg Commute

17.9 min

Poverty Rate

12.7%

Median Age

39.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Sudlow Intermediate Davenport, IA 5.0
McCombs Middle School Des Moines, IA 4.9
Clinton Middle School Clinton, IA 5.2
Prairie Creek Cedar Rapids, IA 4.8
Southeast Junior High School Iowa City, IA 5.3
Storm Lake Middle School Storm Lake, IA 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fort Dodge Middle School

What grades does Fort Dodge Middle School serve?

Fort Dodge Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Fort Dodge Middle School?

Fort Dodge Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 774 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fort Dodge Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Fort Dodge Middle School is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fort Dodge Middle School rank in IA?

Fort Dodge Middle School ranks #988 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Fort Dodge Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fort Dodge Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Fort Dodge Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Fort Dodge Middle School has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025).

Is Fort Dodge Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Fort Dodge Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

57.5% of students at Fort Dodge 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
11 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
17 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
61 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
774
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Webster County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
37.5%

District

Fort Dodge Comm School District
District Enrollment
3,611
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,013
District Rank
#2 of 7

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