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Average

#972 of 1,280 schools in IA

Johnston Middle School

School · Johnston Comm School District

PO BOX 10 6501 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston, IA 50131

Enrollment

1,200

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

5.1

Grades

8th – 9th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#972 of 1,280

In Johnston

#7 of 8

public schools

In district

#7 of 8

Johnston Comm School District

Equity

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Johnston Middle School

5.1/10

School in Johnston · grades 8th – 9th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Henry a Wallace Elementary School

7.5/10

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

Lawson Elementary School

6.8/10

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

About Johnston Middle School

Johnston Middle School is a public school in Johnston, IA, part of Johnston Comm School District. Johnston Middle School serves approximately 1,200 students, and covers grades 8th-9th, and has a 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Johnston Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #972 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Johnston Middle School show 86% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 86% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • IA avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.61 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.6Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency81.3% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency87.8% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+6.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.8 pts
Overall Proficiency85% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)80% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+4.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College Readiness2.2Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,378
Chronic Absenteeism22.3%

Johnston Middle School — Students at Johnston Middle School score 85% 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

26.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 86.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
70.9% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 85.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
79.1% (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
89%
ELA
89%
2010
Math
91%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
85%
2012
Math
91%
ELA
84%
2013
Math
94%
ELA
90%
2014
Math
92%
ELA
89%
2015
Math
91%
ELA
88%
2016
Math
87%
ELA
86%
2017
Math
88%
ELA
86%
2018
Math
85%
ELA
83%
2019
Math
85%
ELA
83%
2020*
Math
79%
ELA
84%
2021*
Math
79%
ELA
84%
2022
Math
75%
ELA
80%
2025
Math
81.4%
ELA
87.8%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Johnston Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
24th percentile in IA
Academic
8.6/10
Excellent
Growth
6.6/10
Average
Environment
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Sports
20
8 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
66 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.3%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics20sports offered
8 boys'·12 girls'·29 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

PO BOX 10 6501 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston, IA 50131

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Johnston Middle School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Olmsted Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), which scores notably higher. Another option is Henry A Wallace Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Karen Acres Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Johnston, see our Johnston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Henry A Wallace Elementary School Johnston 0.2 mi 7.5
Lawson Elementary School Johnston 0.6 mi 6.8
Timber Ridge Elementary Johnston 1.4 mi 6.0
Beaver Creek Elementary School Johnston 1.7 mi 5.4
Urbandale High School Urbandale 2.5 mi 5.8
Urbandale Middle School Urbandale 2.7 mi 6.1
Olmsted Elementary School Urbandale 2.8 mi 8.4
Hoover High School Des Moines 2.9 mi 4.2
Summit Middle School Johnston 2.3 mi 6.9
ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Urbandale 3.1 mi 4.8
Meredith Middle School Des Moines 3.0 mi 5.5
COTTONTAIL CREEK MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ankeny 2.6 mi
Samuelson Elementary School Des Moines 2.9 mi 5.7
Moore Elementary School Des Moines 3.3 mi 6.9
Horizon Elementary Johnston 2.5 mi 4.8
Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale 3.4 mi 7.4
Johnston Senior High School Johnston 2.7 mi 5.7
Woodlawn Early Childhood Center Des Moines 3.5 mi 2.7
Hillis Elementary School Des Moines 4.0 mi 3.0
HOLY TRINITY Des Moines 3.9 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50131 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$103,316

Median Home Value

$347,100

Median Rent

$1,284/mo

Population

24,388

College Educated

58%

Homeownership

72.3%

Avg Commute

19.3 min

Poverty Rate

7.6%

Median Age

38.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Johnston Middle School

What grades does Johnston Middle School serve?

Johnston Middle School serves students in grades 8th through 9th.

How many students attend Johnston Middle School?

Johnston Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 1,200 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Johnston Middle School is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Johnston Middle School rank in IA?

Johnston Middle School ranks #972 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Johnston Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Johnston Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Johnston Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Johnston Middle School has 86% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 86% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Johnston Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Johnston Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

26.2% of students at Johnston 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
36 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
8th – 9th
Enrollment
1,200
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
66
Free/Reduced Lunch
26.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Polk County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.3%

District

Johnston Comm School District
District Enrollment
7,480
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,378
District Rank
#7 of 8

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