Very Good
#418 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 33% in state
Hiatt Middle School
Middle School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
1430 E. University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316
Enrollment
466
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
466
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#11 of 64
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#76 of 248
In district
#9 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
Academic growth
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Hiatt Middle School
Hiatt Middle School is a regular public middle school in Des Moines, Iowa, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 466 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1, Hiatt offers personalized attention and support for each student. Located at 1430 E.
University Ave, the school is situated in a mid-size city setting that provides a variety of cultural and educational opportunities. Hiatt Middle School's MySchoolScout Rating is 3.7 out of 10, reflecting areas where the school has room to grow academically. Statewide, Hiatt ranks as the 1075th out of 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it in the 17th percentile.
The academic score is currently 1.2 out of 10, indicating a focus on continuous improvement and student development. In terms of proficiency rates, 39% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 34% achieve this level in Math, and 37% excel in Science. Hiatt Middle School is part of the larger Des Moines community, offering a supportive environment for middle schoolers to grow academically and personally.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Hiatt Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Hiatt Middle School — Students at Hiatt Middle School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 10.0/10.
How Hiatt Middle School Compares
See how Hiatt Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34% (2019) to 31% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 31% (2019) to 33% (2022).
Location
1430 E. University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hiatt Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Garton Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| East High School Des Moines | 0.3 mi | 4.3 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines | 0.4 mi | 8.4 |
| JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 0.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Phillips Elementary Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Findley Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 4.2 |
| North High School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Moulton Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Harding Middle School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 3.2 |
| Garton Elementary Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Madison Elementary School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 3.4 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Oak Park Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Willard Elementary School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50316 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,090
Median Home Value
$137,300
Median Rent
$963/mo
Population
16,188
College Educated
12.7%
Homeownership
66.5%
Avg Commute
19.1 min
Poverty Rate
19.3%
Median Age
31.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hiatt Middle School has a median household income of $53,090. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $137,300, with a median rent of $963/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Ballard Middle School Huxley, IA | 7.0 |
| Forest City Middle School Forest City, IA | 7.0 |
| Sioux Center Middle School Sioux Center, IA | 7.0 |
| George Washington Carver Academy Waterloo, IA | 7.1 |
| George Washington Middle School Dubuque, IA | 7.1 |
| Grinnell Community Middle School Grinnell, IA | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hiatt Middle School
What grades does Hiatt Middle School serve?
Hiatt Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Hiatt Middle School?
Hiatt Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 466 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hiatt Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Hiatt 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 Hiatt Middle School rank in IA?
Hiatt Middle School is ranked #418 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Hiatt Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hiatt Middle School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Hiatt Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hiatt Middle School has 51.5% math proficiency and 53.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hiatt Middle School a charter school?
No, Hiatt Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hiatt Middle School a Title I school?
No, Hiatt Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hiatt Middle School?
83.7% of students at Hiatt 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
- 466
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 83.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 242-7774
- 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
- #9 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
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