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Average

#448 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 35% in state

Grinnell Community Middle School

Middle School · Grinnell-Newburg Comm School District

132 East Street S., Grinnell, IA 50112

Enrollment

439

Student-Teacher

12.9:1

Score

6.9

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grinnell

#3 of 5

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#84 of 248

In district

#3 of 5

Grinnell-Newburg Comm School District

School environment

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Grinnell Community Middle School

Grinnell Community Middle School is a regular public school located in the charming town of Grinnell, Iowa. Situated at 132 East Street S., this middle school serves students from grades 5 through 8, with an enrollment of 439 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1. The school has 34 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education in a remote setting.

Grinnell Community Middle School's academic performance is solid but shows room for improvement. With a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranking at #394 among the state’s 1288 schools, it holds a position around the 70th percentile statewide. The school has an academic score of 7.2/10, with 74% proficiency in ELA/Reading, 77% in Math, and 64% in Science across all grade levels.

While Grinnell Community Middle School is situated in a remote area without the immediate neighborhood context available, it benefits from a close-knit community that supports its students’ growth.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.06 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.0Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency76%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74%
Math vs. State Avg+4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.3 pts
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)70%
vs. Expected+5.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,638

Grinnell Community Middle School — Students at Grinnell Community Middle School score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 76.6%
School
State
73.1%
ELA Proficiency 73.8%
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
79%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
74%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
76%
ELA
74%
2025
Math
76.9%
ELA
73.4%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Grinnell Community Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
65th percentile in IA
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
4.9/10
Below average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

132 East Street S., Grinnell, IA 50112

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Grinnell Community Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Montezuma Junior High School (rated 7.9/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Montezuma), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lynnville-Sully Middle School (rated 6.7/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Sully), with a very similar rating. Additionally, East Marshall Middle School (rated 4.7/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Gilman), a more accessible option. For more schools in Grinnell, see our Grinnell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Davis Elementary School Grinnell 0.6 mi 6.8
CENTRAL IOWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grinnell 1.4 mi 5.2
Fairview Elementary School Grinnell 1.4 mi 6.8
Bailey Park Elementary School Grinnell 1.5 mi 7.0
Grinnell Community Senior High School Grinnell 1.8 mi 7.2
East Marshall Middle School Gilman 10.8 mi 4.7
Lynnville-Sully High School Sully 12.2 mi 5.9
Lynnville-Sully Elementary School Sully 12.2 mi 7.7
Lynnville-Sully Middle School Sully 12.2 mi 6.7
SULLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sully 12.5 mi 4.9
Montezuma Elementary School Montezuma 13.8 mi 7.3
Montezuma High School Montezuma 13.8 mi 6.4
Montezuma Junior High School Montezuma 13.8 mi 7.9
East Marshall Elementary School Laurel 14.8 mi 5.3
Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Elementary School Brooklyn 13.9 mi 8.2
Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Jr-Sr High School Brooklyn 13.9 mi 6.6
Meskwaki Settlement School Tama 18.5 mi
South Tama County Elementary School Tama 18.2 mi 6.8
North Mahaska Jr-Sr High School New Sharon 19.1 mi 5.3
North Mahaska Elementary School New Sharon 19.1 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50112 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,707

Median Home Value

$198,100

Median Rent

$863/mo

Population

11,776

College Educated

37.6%

Homeownership

68.8%

Avg Commute

15.9 min

Poverty Rate

9.5%

Median Age

39.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Grinnell Community Middle School has a median household income of $64,707. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $198,100, with a median rent of $863/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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
Humboldt Middle School Humboldt, IA 6.9
Ballard Middle School Huxley, IA 7.0
Central Springs Middle School Nora Springs, IA 7.0
Forest City Middle School Forest City, IA 7.0
Hiatt Middle School Des Moines, IA 7.0
Sioux Center Middle School Sioux Center, IA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Grinnell Community Middle School

What grades does Grinnell Community Middle School serve?

Grinnell Community Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Grinnell Community Middle School?

Grinnell Community Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 439 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Grinnell Community Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Grinnell Community Middle School is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Grinnell Community Middle School rank in IA?

Grinnell Community Middle School is ranked #448 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Grinnell Community Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Grinnell Community Middle School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Grinnell Community Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Grinnell Community Middle School has 76.6% math proficiency and 73.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Grinnell Community Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Grinnell Community Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

37.8% of students at Grinnell Community 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
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,407/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
439
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Poweshiek County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Grinnell-Newburg Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,577
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,510
District Rank
#3 of 5

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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