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Average

#952 of 1,280 schools in IA

John Adams Middle School

Middle School · Mason City Comm School District

29 S Illinois Ave, Mason City, IA 50401

Enrollment

463

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

5.2

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#952 of 1,280

In Mason City

#5 of 9

public schools

In district

#5 of 9

Mason City Comm School District

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John Adams Middle School

5.2/10

Middle School in Mason City · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Alternative School

2.2/10

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

Mason City High School

3.7/10

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

About John Adams Middle School

John Adams Middle School is a public middle school in Mason City, IA, part of Mason City Comm School District. John Adams Middle School serves approximately 463 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio. John Adams Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #952 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for John Adams Middle School show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 5.2 · Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • IA avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

36% of students at John Adams 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 Progress4.2Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.18 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66.2% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency67.7% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-6.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.1 pts
Overall Proficiency67% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)65% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+2.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
Resources & Environment6.2Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,155
Chronic Absenteeism36.3%

John Adams Middle School — Students at John Adams Middle School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 64.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.9% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 65.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
78.4% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 33 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
76%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
70%
ELA
74%
2011
Math
68%
ELA
65%
2012
Math
66%
ELA
61%
2013
Math
80%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
80%
ELA
73%
2015
Math
75%
ELA
73%
2016
Math
79%
ELA
70%
2017
Math
66%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
56%
ELA
64%
2019
Math
56%
ELA
64%
2020*
Math
46%
ELA
54%
2021*
Math
46%
ELA
54%
2022
Math
40%
ELA
58%
2025
Math
66.2%
ELA
67.7%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How John Adams Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
26th percentile in IA
Academic
5.6/10
Average
Growth
4.2/10
Below Average
Environment
6.2/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.3%

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

29 S Illinois Ave, Mason City, IA 50401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John Adams Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Clear Lake Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Clear Lake), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lincoln Intermediate (rated 6.6/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Central Springs Middle School (rated 6.2/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Nora Springs), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Mason City, see our Mason City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Alternative School Mason City 0.1 mi 2.2
Mason City High School Mason City 0.1 mi 3.7
Jefferson Elementary School Mason City 0.3 mi 8.6
NORTH IOWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mason City 1.0 mi 5.6
Harding Elementary School Mason City 1.2 mi 6.8
Roosevelt Elementary School Mason City 1.6 mi 6.4
Mason City Virtual Academy Mason City 1.7 mi 2.4
Lincoln Intermediate Mason City 1.8 mi 6.6
Hoover Elementary School Mason City 2.6 mi 4.9
NEWMAN CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mason City 3.6 mi 6.0
NEWMAN CATHOLIC Mason City 3.7 mi 5.4
Central Springs Elementary Manly Campus Manly 9.4 mi 6.3
Central Springs High School Manly 9.4 mi 6.9
Central Springs Elementary School - Nora Springs Nora Springs 8.4 mi 7.1
Central Springs Middle School Nora Springs 8.4 mi 6.2
West Fork Elementary at Rockwell Rockwell 11.6 mi 5.2
Clear Lake High School Clear Lake 10.0 mi 8.8
Clear Lake Middle School Clear Lake 10.0 mi 7.4
Clear Creek Elementary School Clear Lake 10.3 mi 7.3
RRMR Elementary School Rockford 13.8 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,807

Median Home Value

$134,100

Median Rent

$868/mo

Population

28,818

College Educated

21.9%

Homeownership

68.2%

Avg Commute

13.9 min

Poverty Rate

10%

Median Age

42.5

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Carroll Middle School Carroll, IA 5.3
Hampton-Dumont Middle School Hampton, IA 5.1
Howar Middle School Centerville, IA 5.1
Greene County Middle School Jefferson, IA 5.4
Maquoketa Middle School Maquoketa, IA 5.0
Sudlow Intermediate Davenport, IA 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about John Adams Middle School

What grades does John Adams Middle School serve?

John Adams Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend John Adams Middle School?

John Adams Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 463 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at John Adams Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at John Adams Middle School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does John Adams Middle School rank in IA?

John Adams Middle School ranks #952 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is John Adams Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

John Adams Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 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 John Adams Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, John Adams Middle School has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is John Adams Middle School a charter school?

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

Is John Adams Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

55.7% of students at John Adams 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
50 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
19 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
52 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Cerro Gordo County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.3%

District

Mason City Comm School District
District Enrollment
3,509
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,155
District Rank
#5 of 9

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