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Needs Improvement

#1173 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

3.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,173 of 1,280

In Des Moines

#40 of 64

public schools

In district

#35 of 59

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

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Hoyt Middle School

3.6/10

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

Brubaker Elementary School

4.6/10

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

Mckee Elementary School

2.6/10

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

About Hoyt Middle School

Hoyt Middle School is a public middle school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Hoyt Middle School serves approximately 486 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Hoyt Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,173 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Hoyt Middle School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.0
  • IA avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

55% of students at Hoyt 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 Progress5.5Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.89 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics1.9Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.5% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-32.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-30.2 pts
Overall Proficiency42% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)56% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-14.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,518
Chronic Absenteeism54.7%

Hoyt Middle School — Students at Hoyt Middle School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

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 46.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.4% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 46.9% (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

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
59%
ELA
48%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
55%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
42%
2012
Math
53%
ELA
43%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
48%
2014
Math
43%
ELA
48%
2015
Math
48%
ELA
55%
2016
Math
55%
ELA
56%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
55%
2018
Math
48%
ELA
43%
2019
Math
48%
ELA
43%
2020*
Math
33%
ELA
40%
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: 5.5/10.

How Hoyt Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.6/10
8th percentile in IA
Academic
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.5/10
Average
Environment
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
54.7%

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

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 3.1/10, 3.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Goodrell Middle School (rated 2.4/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 4.6
McKee Elementary School Des Moines 0.5 mi 2.6
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines 1.0 mi 5.0
Stowe Elementary School Des Moines 1.3 mi 3.4
Delaware Elementary Des Moines 1.5 mi 8.9
Goodrell Middle School Des Moines 1.6 mi 2.4
ONE SCHOOL GLOBAL DES MOINES CAMPUS Des Moines 1.6 mi 5.0
Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines 2.3 mi 4.3
GRAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Des Moines 2.2 mi 4.7
Willard Elementary School Des Moines 2.4 mi 7.4
Phillips Elementary Des Moines 2.2 mi 3.6
Garton Elementary Des Moines 2.1 mi 6.0
Willowbrook Elementary Altoona 3.2 mi 4.9
JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines 3.1 mi 8.2
Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines 3.6 mi 5.0
Clay Elementary Altoona 3.5 mi 5.4
Hiatt Middle School Des Moines 3.6 mi 3.1
Altoona Elementary Altoona 3.9 mi 8.4
Cattell Elementary School Des Moines 3.7 mi 5.3
East High School Des Moines 3.8 mi 2.4

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
Wood Intermediate Davenport, IA 3.7
Wilson Middle School Cedar Rapids, IA 3.8
Brody Middle School Des Moines, IA 3.3
Weeks Middle School Des Moines, IA 4.1
Hiatt Middle School Des Moines, IA 3.1
Franklin Middle School Cedar Rapids, IA 4.2

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 ranks #1,173 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Hoyt Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hoyt Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 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 Hoyt Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hoyt Middle School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
27 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
26 Some Transit
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
54.7%

District

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

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