Needs Improvement
#1267 of 1,280 schools in IA
Harding Middle School
Middle School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
203 E Euclid Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313
Enrollment
634
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
3.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
634
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
3.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#63 of 64
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#246 of 248
In district
#58 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
About Harding Middle School
Harding Middle School is a regular public middle school in Des Moines, Iowa, located at 203 E Euclid Ave. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 634 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1 with 38 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The academic performance at Harding Middle School is currently focusing on areas for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and state ranking of #1180 out of 1288 schools in Iowa (8th percentile).
The school’s proficiency rates in ELA/Reading, Math, and Science stand at 38%, 38%, and 35% respectively, showing there is room for academic growth. Despite these challenges, Harding Middle School remains committed to supporting its students through various educational initiatives. Harding Middle School is situated in a mid-size city setting within Polk County, offering a diverse community environment that encourages student engagement and development.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Harding Middle School — Students at Harding Middle School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 2.8/10.
How Harding Middle School Compares
See how Harding Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 36% (2019) to 38% (2022).
Location
203 E Euclid Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harding Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hiatt Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Woodside Middle School (rated 6.6/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Findley Elementary School Des Moines | 0.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Madison Elementary School Des Moines | 0.6 mi | 3.4 |
| Oak Park Des Moines | 0.6 mi | 5.6 |
| North High School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Moulton Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 7.6 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 7.0 |
| East High School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 4.3 |
| King Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Saydel High School Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 3.9 |
| JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Cornell Elementary School Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Woodside Middle School Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Garton Elementary Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 3.0 mi | 5.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50313 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,077
Median Home Value
$161,800
Median Rent
$1,077/mo
Population
18,280
College Educated
16.2%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
17.5 min
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Median Age
37.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Harding Middle School has a median household income of $64,077. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,800, with a median rent of $1,077/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Brody Middle School Des Moines, IA | 2.8 |
| Storm Lake Middle School Storm Lake, IA | 3.8 |
| Berg Middle School Newton, IA | 4.0 |
| Hoyt Middle School Des Moines, IA | 4.0 |
| Callanan Middle School Des Moines, IA | 4.2 |
| Weeks Middle School Des Moines, IA | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harding Middle School
What grades does Harding Middle School serve?
Harding Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Harding Middle School?
Harding Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 634 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harding Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Harding Middle School is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harding Middle School rank in IA?
Harding Middle School is ranked #1267 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Harding Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Harding Middle School has a composite rating of 3.2 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 Harding Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harding Middle School has 33.0% math proficiency and 34.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Harding Middle School a charter school?
No, Harding Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harding Middle School a Title I school?
No, Harding Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harding Middle School?
81.9% of students at Harding 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.
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
- 634
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 242-8445
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.