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Below Average

#1175 of 1,280 schools in IA

Goodrell Middle School

Middle School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District

3300 E. 29th Street, Des Moines, IA 50317

Enrollment

493

Student-Teacher

14.5:1

Score

4.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Des Moines

#52 of 64

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#235 of 248

In district

#48 of 59

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

School environment

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Goodrell Middle School

Goodrell Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Des Moines, Iowa. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 493 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1 with 34 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its MySchoolScout rating of 2.7 out of 10 and academic score of 1.2 out of 10, the school is making efforts to improve.

According to state assessments, 42% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 39% in Math, and 46% in Science. With room for growth, Goodrell Middle School continues to focus on student development and academic improvement. The school is situated in a mid-size city setting within Polk County.

While specific neighborhood details are not available, the area around Goodrell Middle School offers a supportive community environment for students and families.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics1.9Significantly Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31%
Reading/ELA Proficiency40%
Math vs. State Avg-41.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-33.7 pts
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-13.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
Resources & Environment7.6Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,546

Goodrell Middle School — Students at Goodrell Middle School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.3%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 42.3%
School
State
76.8%

Based on 13 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
47%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
44%
2022
Math
31%
ELA
40%
2025
Math
40.2%
ELA
43.2%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Goodrell Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.3/10
8th percentile in IA
Academic
1.9/10
1.9/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

3300 E. 29th Street, Des Moines, IA 50317

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Goodrell Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hiatt Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hoyt Middle School (rated 4.0/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Harding Middle School (rated 3.2/10, 2.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
ONE SCHOOL GLOBAL DES MOINES CAMPUS Des Moines 0.3 mi 5.0
Garton Elementary Des Moines 0.6 mi 7.8
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines 1.0 mi 5.0
GRAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Des Moines 1.3 mi 4.7
Phillips Elementary Des Moines 1.3 mi 6.8
Stowe Elementary School Des Moines 1.5 mi 4.6
McKee Elementary School Des Moines 1.4 mi 5.1
Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines 1.6 mi 4.9
Hoyt Middle School Des Moines 1.6 mi 4.0
Willard Elementary School Des Moines 2.4 mi 6.3
JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines 2.0 mi 8.2
Cattell Elementary School Des Moines 2.1 mi 7.2
Hiatt Middle School Des Moines 2.5 mi 7.0
Delaware Elementary Des Moines 2.4 mi 6.2
Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines 2.7 mi 4.4
Madison Elementary School Des Moines 2.4 mi 3.4
East High School Des Moines 2.8 mi 4.3
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines 2.8 mi 8.4
Harding Middle School Des Moines 2.8 mi 3.2
Findley Elementary School Des Moines 2.8 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50317 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,569

Median Home Value

$165,200

Median Rent

$1,079/mo

Population

36,721

College Educated

15.2%

Homeownership

70.9%

Avg Commute

22.1 min

Poverty Rate

14.9%

Median Age

35

Community Profile

The community surrounding Goodrell Middle School has a median household income of $61,569. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $165,200, with a median rent of $1,079/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.9%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Sudlow Intermediate Davenport, IA 4.3
Callanan Middle School Des Moines, IA 4.2
Weeks Middle School Des Moines, IA 4.2
Evans Middle School Ottumwa, IA 4.4
Solon Middle School Solon, IA 4.4
Edward Stone Middle School Burlington, IA 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Goodrell Middle School

What grades does Goodrell Middle School serve?

Goodrell Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Goodrell Middle School?

Goodrell Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 493 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Goodrell Middle School is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Goodrell Middle School rank in IA?

Goodrell Middle School is ranked #1175 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Goodrell Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Goodrell Middle School has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Goodrell Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Goodrell Middle School has 39.3% math proficiency and 42.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Goodrell Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Goodrell Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

74.2% of students at Goodrell 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

City Safety
High (3,846/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
493
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Des Moines Independent Comm School District
District Enrollment
30,277
Schools in District
59
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,518
District Rank
#48 of 59

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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