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Below Average

#1207 of 1,280 schools in IA

Hoyt Middle School

Middle School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District

2700 E 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50317

Enrollment

486

Student-Teacher

15.7:1

Score

4.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Des Moines

#56 of 64

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#240 of 248

In district

#52 of 59

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

About Hoyt Middle School

Hoyt Middle School is a regular public school located in Des Moines, Iowa, serving students in grades six through eight. With an enrollment of 486 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.7:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each student succeed. Hoyt has 31 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to its diverse community.

Academically, Hoyt Middle School is currently focusing on student development with room for growth. The MySchoolScout Rating stands at 2.6 out of 10 and ranks the school as #1227 out of 1288 in Iowa. In terms of proficiency rates, students have shown success in science (48% proficient or above), while there is potential to improve in ELA/reading (44%) and math (39%).

Hoyt Middle School is situated in a mid-size city setting within Des Moines, providing access to various resources and activities for its students. Despite the current academic challenges, the school continues to work diligently towards enhancing educational outcomes for all its learners.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.46 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics2.5Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31%
Reading/ELA Proficiency51%
Math vs. State Avg-41.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.7 pts
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected-10.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
Resources & Environment6.3Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,546

Hoyt Middle School — Students at Hoyt Middle School score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 38.7%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 44.1%
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
48%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
33%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
31%
ELA
51%
2025
Math
40%
ELA
43.5%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How Hoyt Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.0/10
6th percentile in IA
Academic
2.5/10
2.5/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

Location

2700 E 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50317

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hoyt Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hiatt Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Goodrell Middle School (rated 4.3/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines 0.1 mi 4.9
McKee Elementary School Des Moines 0.5 mi 5.1
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines 1.0 mi 5.0
Stowe Elementary School Des Moines 1.3 mi 4.6
Delaware Elementary Des Moines 1.5 mi 6.2
Goodrell Middle School Des Moines 1.6 mi 4.3
ONE SCHOOL GLOBAL DES MOINES CAMPUS Des Moines 1.6 mi 5.0
Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines 2.3 mi 5.4
GRAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Des Moines 2.2 mi 4.7
Willard Elementary School Des Moines 2.4 mi 6.3
Phillips Elementary Des Moines 2.2 mi 6.8
Garton Elementary Des Moines 2.1 mi 7.8
Willowbrook Elementary Altoona 3.2 mi 4.8
JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines 3.1 mi 8.2
Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines 3.6 mi 4.4
Clay Elementary Altoona 3.5 mi 4.9
Hiatt Middle School Des Moines 3.6 mi 7.0
Altoona Elementary Altoona 3.9 mi 6.8
Cattell Elementary School Des Moines 3.7 mi 7.2
East High School Des Moines 3.8 mi 4.3

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 Hoyt 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
Callanan Middle School Des Moines, IA 4.2
Weeks Middle School Des Moines, IA 4.2
Goodrell Middle School Des Moines, IA 4.3
Sudlow Intermediate Davenport, IA 4.3
Solon Middle School Solon, IA 4.4
Edward Stone Middle School Burlington, IA 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hoyt Middle School

What grades does Hoyt Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Hoyt Middle School?

Hoyt Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 486 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Hoyt Middle School is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hoyt Middle School rank in IA?

Hoyt Middle School is ranked #1207 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Hoyt Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hoyt Middle School has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Hoyt Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hoyt Middle School has 38.7% math proficiency and 44.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hoyt Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Hoyt Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

70.8% of students at Hoyt 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
486
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
70.8%
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
#52 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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