Average
#602 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 47% in state
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
6.5
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
6.5
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mason City
#6 of 9
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#128 of 248
In district
#6 of 9
Mason City Comm School District
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About John Adams Middle School
John Adams Middle School is a regular public school located in Mason City, Iowa, in Cerro Gordo County. The school serves students in grades seven and eight with an enrollment of 463 students. It has a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1, ensuring that each student receives personalized attention from its dedicated staff of 35 full-time equivalent teachers.
According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, John Adams Middle School scores a 4.2 out of 10 overall, with an academic score of 1.9/10. The school ranks #983 out of 1,288 schools in Iowa, placing it around the 24th percentile. In terms of proficiency rates, 62% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 55% and 58% respectively meet these standards in Math and Science.
John Adams Middle School is situated in a remote town setting where community support plays an essential role in the school's environment. Despite its current academic standing, which shows room for improvement, the school remains committed to fostering student development and providing a strong educational foundation for its young learners.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at John Adams Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
John Adams Middle School — Students at John Adams Middle School score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 11 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.0/10.
How John Adams Middle School Compares
See how John Adams Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 40% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 58% (2022).
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. Lincoln Intermediate (rated 7.6/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central Springs Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Nora Springs), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Clear Lake Middle School (rated 6.7/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Clear Lake), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Mason City, see our Mason City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.8 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding John Adams Middle School has a median household income of $63,807. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $134,100, with a median rent of $868/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Bondurant-Farrar Junior High Bondurant, IA | 6.5 |
| Boone Middle School Boone, IA | 6.5 |
| Boulder Peak Intermediate School Marion, IA | 6.5 |
| Carlisle Middle School Carlisle, IA | 6.5 |
| Pella Middle School Pella, IA | 6.5 |
| Anamosa Middle School Anamosa, IA | 6.4 |
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 is ranked #602 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is John Adams Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
John Adams Middle School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 John Adams Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, John Adams Middle School has 54.9% math proficiency and 62.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,561/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mason City). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (641) 421-4420
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mason City Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 3,509
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,155
- District Rank
- #6 of 9
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 methodologyRelated reading
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