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Average

#676 of 1,280 schools in IA

Indianola Middle School

Middle School · Indianola Comm School District

403 S 15th St, Indianola, IA 50125

Enrollment

820

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

6.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Indianola

#3 of 6

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#155 of 248

In district

#3 of 6

Indianola Comm School District

Academic performance

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Indianola Middle School

Indianola Middle School serves grades six through eight in Indianola, a town on the fringe of an urban area in Warren County. The school enrolls 820 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1, supported by 54 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Indianola Middle School ranks in the 59th percentile statewide, placing it #531 out of 1,288 Iowa schools.

The school's academic score of 7.5/10 reflects solid performance across core subjects. In English language arts and reading, 79% of students score proficient or above, while 76% of students meet or exceed proficiency in math and 79% do so in science. These results show consistent student achievement across the curriculum, with reading and science showing slightly stronger performance than mathematics.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9/10, the school represents a middle-performing option in the state. For families considering Indianola Middle School, these metrics suggest a school focused on developing students' foundational skills while working to strengthen performance across all subject areas. The manageable student-teacher ratio supports individualized instruction, which can be particularly valuable during the middle school years.

Located in Indianola's town setting, the school serves a community-oriented area with reasonable access to both suburban and rural resources.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.0Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.37 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.9Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75%
Reading/ELA Proficiency78%
Math vs. State Avg+2.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.3 pts
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)73%
vs. Expected+3.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,417

Indianola Middle School — Students at Indianola Middle School score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 75.6%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 79.3%
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
79%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
78%
ELA
79%
2022
Math
75%
ELA
78%
2025
Math
73.9%
ELA
82.2%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How Indianola Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
47th percentile in IA
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers

Location

403 S 15th St, Indianola, IA 50125

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Indianola Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Carlisle Middle School (rated 6.5/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Carlisle), with a very similar rating. Another option is Norwalk Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Norwalk), with a comparable rating. Additionally, McCombs Middle School (rated 5.5/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Indianola, see our Indianola schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Indianola High School Indianola 0.3 mi 5.7
Emerson Elementary School Indianola 0.7 mi 5.0
VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Indianola 1.3 mi 3.9
Irving Elementary School Indianola 1.4 mi 7.7
Whittier Elementary School Indianola 1.9 mi 4.7
Wilder Elementary School Indianola 2.7 mi 7.5
Southeast Warren Primary Milo 6.8 mi 8.1
Carlisle Middle School Carlisle 10.0 mi 6.5
Carlisle Elementary School Carlisle 10.2 mi 6.9
Carlisle High School Carlisle 10.2 mi 5.0
Southeast Warren Jr-Sr High School Liberty Center 10.6 mi 7.1
Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines 11.4 mi 5.0
Norwalk Middle School Norwalk 10.4 mi 5.8
Norwalk Senior High School Norwalk 10.6 mi 5.9
Hartford Upper Elementary Carlisle 10.3 mi 7.2
McCombs Middle School Des Moines 11.6 mi 5.5
Oviatt Elementary School Norwalk 10.8 mi 5.2
MAIN STREET SCHOOL Norwalk 11.0 mi
NORWALK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Norwalk 11.2 mi
Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines 12.8 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50125 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,463

Median Home Value

$248,700

Median Rent

$975/mo

Population

20,009

College Educated

33.7%

Homeownership

74.6%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

6.4%

Median Age

38.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Indianola Middle School has a median household income of $86,463. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $248,700, with a median rent of $975/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Ames Middle School Ames, IA 6.3
Clear Creek Amana Middle School Tiffin, IA 6.3
North Scott Junior High School Eldridge, IA 6.3
Oak Ridge Middle School Marion, IA 6.3
Harding Middle School Cedar Rapids, IA 6.4
Boone Middle School Boone, IA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Indianola Middle School

What grades does Indianola Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Indianola Middle School?

Indianola Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 820 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Indianola Middle School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Indianola Middle School rank in IA?

Indianola Middle School is ranked #676 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Indianola Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Indianola Middle School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Indianola Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Indianola Middle School has 75.6% math proficiency and 79.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Indianola Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Indianola Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

31.2% of students at Indianola 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 (1,751/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
820
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
54
Free/Reduced Lunch
31.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Warren County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Indianola Comm School District
District Enrollment
3,634
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,822
District Rank
#3 of 6

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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