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Needs Improvement

#1267 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

2.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,267 of 1,280

In Des Moines

#63 of 64

public schools

In district

#58 of 59

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

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Goodrell Middle School

2.4/10

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

One School Global Des Moines Campus

5.0/10

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

Garton Elementary

6.0/10

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

About Goodrell Middle School

Goodrell Middle School is a public middle school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Goodrell Middle School serves approximately 493 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Goodrell Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,267 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Goodrell Middle School show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.6 pts below district
  • This school 2.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.0
  • IA avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

50% of students at Goodrell 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 Progress1.8Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.21 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.1Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40.2% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.2% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-32.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-30.5 pts
Overall Proficiency42% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)55% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-12.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
Resources & Environment3.6Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,518
Chronic Absenteeism50.1%

Goodrell Middle School — Students at Goodrell Middle School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

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 51.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.4% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 52.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
76.8% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
71%
ELA
66%
2010
Math
68%
ELA
64%
2011
Math
60%
ELA
60%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
60%
2013
Math
66%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
65%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
56%
ELA
59%
2016
Math
54%
ELA
55%
2017
Math
51%
ELA
50%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
40%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
40%
2020*
Math
37%
ELA
44%
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: 1.8/10.

How Goodrell Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
2.4/10
1th percentile in IA
Academic
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
50.1%

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

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. Hoyt Middle School (rated 3.6/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hiatt Middle School (rated 3.1/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Harding Middle School (rated 2.9/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 6.0
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 3.6
Stowe Elementary School Des Moines 1.5 mi 3.4
McKee Elementary School Des Moines 1.4 mi 2.6
Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines 1.6 mi 4.6
Hoyt Middle School Des Moines 1.6 mi 3.6
Willard Elementary School Des Moines 2.4 mi 7.4
JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines 2.0 mi 8.2
Cattell Elementary School Des Moines 2.1 mi 5.3
Hiatt Middle School Des Moines 2.5 mi 3.1
Delaware Elementary Des Moines 2.4 mi 8.9
Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines 2.7 mi 5.0
Madison Elementary School Des Moines 2.4 mi 2.8
East High School Des Moines 2.8 mi 2.4
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines 2.8 mi 8.4
Harding Middle School Des Moines 2.8 mi 2.9
Findley Elementary School Des Moines 2.8 mi 4.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Oelwein Middle School Oelwein, IA 2.5
Edward Stone Middle School Burlington, IA 2.8
Harding Middle School Des Moines, IA 2.9
Williams Intermediate Davenport, IA 1.9
Hiatt Middle School Des Moines, IA 3.1
Brody Middle School Des Moines, IA 3.3

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 ranks #1,267 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Goodrell Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Goodrell Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 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 Goodrell Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Goodrell Middle School has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
51 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
31 Some Transit
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
50.1%

District

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

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