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Average

#802 of 1,280 schools in IA

Jefferson Intermediate

Middle School · Pella Comm School District

801 E 13th St, Pella, IA 50219

Enrollment

502

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

6.0

Grades

4th – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pella

#4 of 5

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#171 of 248

In district

#4 of 5

Pella Comm School District

Equity

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Jefferson Intermediate

Jefferson Intermediate serves 502 students in grades 4-6 in Pella, Iowa, offering a strong middle school foundation with a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1 and 33 full-time teachers. The school demonstrates impressive academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 rating and ranking in the 88th percentile statewide at #159 out of 1,288 Iowa schools. Students at Jefferson Intermediate consistently excel academically, with 86% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, and 80% reaching proficiency in mathematics across all grade levels.

This academic success reflects both the school's commitment to educational excellence and the supportive community environment. The school draws from a well-educated neighborhood where 46% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and families enjoy a median household income of $86,588. With a low poverty rate of just 3.9% and median home values around $255,100, the community provides a stable foundation for student learning and growth.

Located on East 13th Street in the heart of Pella, Jefferson Intermediate benefits from the town's close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to resources that support both academic achievement and student development. The school serves as an important bridge between elementary and high school years in this thriving Iowa community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.6Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency80%
Reading/ELA Proficiency86%
Math vs. State Avg+5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9 pts
Overall Proficiency83%
Expected (poverty-adj.)80%
vs. Expected+3.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,689

Jefferson Intermediate — Students at Jefferson Intermediate score 83% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 80%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

19.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 82.1%
School
State
73.2%
ELA Proficiency 85.0%
School
State
73.8%

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
84%
ELA
86%
2021*
Math
80%
ELA
85%
2022
Math
80%
ELA
86%
2025
Math
82.8%
ELA
84.4%

* 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: 4.6/10.

How Jefferson Intermediate Compares

See how Jefferson Intermediate performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
37th percentile in IA
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
4.6/10
Below average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
19%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

801 E 13th St, Pella, IA 50219

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jefferson Intermediate may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Knoxville Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Knoxville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lynnville-Sully Middle School (rated 6.7/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Sully), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Pella Middle School (rated 6.5/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Pella, see our Pella schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Pella Middle School Pella 0.1 mi 6.5
Pella High School Pella 0.4 mi 6.2
Madison Elementary School Pella 0.5 mi 6.0
PELLA CHRISTIAN GRADE SCHOOL Pella 0.5 mi 7.2
Lincoln Elementary School Pella 0.9 mi 6.6
PELLA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Pella 1.1 mi 5.7
SULLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sully 12.0 mi 4.9
Lynnville-Sully High School Sully 12.5 mi 5.9
Lynnville-Sully Elementary School Sully 12.5 mi 7.7
Lynnville-Sully Middle School Sully 12.5 mi 6.7
Twin Cedars Elementary School Bussey 13.1 mi 6.6
Twin Cedars Jr-Sr High School Bussey 13.1 mi 7.3
Northstar Elementary School Knoxville 11.7 mi 6.5
PCM High School Monroe 12.7 mi 4.4
West Elementary Knoxville 12.8 mi 5.4
Knoxville High School Knoxville 12.9 mi 4.5
Knoxville Middle School Knoxville 12.9 mi 7.4
Monroe Elementary School Monroe 13.4 mi 4.0
Oskaloosa Elementary School Oskaloosa 14.0 mi 6.7
Oskaloosa Early Childhood Center - PK Oskaloosa 14.1 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50219 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,601

Median Home Value

$272,600

Median Rent

$995/mo

Population

14,267

College Educated

46%

Homeownership

69.5%

Avg Commute

14.4 min

Poverty Rate

4.6%

Median Age

37.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Jefferson Intermediate has a median household income of $83,601. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $272,600, with a median rent of $995/month. The local poverty rate of 4.6% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 14 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
Meredith Middle School Des Moines, IA 6.0
Merrill Middle School Des Moines, IA 6.0
Taft Middle School Cedar Rapids, IA 6.0
Southeast Valley Middle School Burnside, IA 5.9
Spencer Middle School Spencer, IA 5.9
Vernon Middle School Marion, IA 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jefferson Intermediate

What grades does Jefferson Intermediate serve?

Jefferson Intermediate serves students in grades 4th through 6th.

How many students attend Jefferson Intermediate?

Jefferson Intermediate has an enrollment of approximately 502 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Intermediate?

The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Intermediate 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 Jefferson Intermediate rank in IA?

Jefferson Intermediate is ranked #802 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Jefferson Intermediate's MySchoolScout rating?

Jefferson Intermediate has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Jefferson Intermediate?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jefferson Intermediate has 82.1% math proficiency and 85.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Jefferson Intermediate a charter school?

No, Jefferson Intermediate is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Jefferson Intermediate a Title I school?

No, Jefferson Intermediate is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jefferson Intermediate?

19.3% of students at Jefferson Intermediate 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
Elevated (1,060/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
4th – 6th
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
19.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Marion County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pella Comm School District
District Enrollment
2,476
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,217
District Rank
#4 of 5

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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