Average
#752 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
6.1
Grades
8th – 9th
Enrollment
1,200
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
6.1
Grades
8th – 9th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Johnston
#4 of 8
public schools
In district
#4 of 8
Johnston Comm School District
Academic performance
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Johnston Middle School
Johnston Middle School serves 1,200 students in grades 8-9 in Johnston, Iowa, with a student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1 across its 66 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #447 out of 1,288 Iowa schools, placing it in the 65th percentile statewide. Academically, Johnston Middle School demonstrates solid performance with an academic score of 7.9 out of 10.
Students show strong literacy skills with 80% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 75% meet or exceed proficiency standards in Mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to preparing students for high school success. The school serves a well-established community where 55% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $97,926.
With a poverty rate of just 10.5%, the area provides a stable environment for learning and growth. Home values in the surrounding ZIP code average $331,900, reflecting the community's investment in the area. Johnston Middle School operates within Johnston's large suburban setting in Polk County, offering students the benefits of a sizeable school community while maintaining the advantages of suburban life outside Iowa's urban centers.
Score Breakdown
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Johnston Middle School — Students at Johnston Middle School score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 76%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
26.2%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 5.4/10.
How Johnston Middle School Compares
See how Johnston Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 85% (2019) to 75% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 83% (2019) to 80% (2022).
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 7.7/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), which scores notably higher. Another option is Karen Acres Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Urbandale High School (rated 7.2/10, 2.5 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 | 5.9 |
| Lawson Elementary School Johnston | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Timber Ridge Elementary Johnston | 1.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Beaver Creek Elementary School Johnston | 1.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Urbandale High School Urbandale | 2.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Urbandale Middle School Urbandale | 2.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Olmsted Elementary School Urbandale | 2.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Hoover High School Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Summit Middle School Johnston | 2.3 mi | 5.5 |
| ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Urbandale | 3.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Meredith Middle School Des Moines | 3.0 mi | 6.0 |
| COTTONTAIL CREEK MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ankeny | 2.6 mi | — |
| Samuelson Elementary School Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Moore Elementary School Des Moines | 3.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Horizon Elementary Johnston | 2.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale | 3.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Johnston Senior High School Johnston | 2.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Woodlawn Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 3.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Hillis Elementary School Des Moines | 4.0 mi | 5.5 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Johnston Middle School has a median household income of $103,316. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $347,100, with a median rent of $1,284/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
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 is ranked #752 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Johnston Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Johnston Middle School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Johnston Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Johnston Middle School has 80.3% math proficiency and 84.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Johnston). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (515) 278-0476
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Johnston Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 7,480
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,378
- District Rank
- #4 of 8
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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