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#866 of 1,280 schools in IA

Lake Mills Middle School

Middle School · Lake Mills Comm School District

102 S 4th Ave E, Lake Mills, IA 50450

Enrollment

141

Student-Teacher

28.2:1

Score

5.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lake Mills

#3 of 3

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#184 of 248

In district

#3 of 3

Lake Mills Comm School District

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Lake Mills Middle School

Lake Mills Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Lake Mills, Iowa, in Winnebago County. The school serves students from sixth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 141 students. With five full-time equivalent teachers, the student-to-teacher ratio is 28.2:1.

The academic performance at Lake Mills Middle School shows a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10, placing it in the 33rd percentile among Iowa schools. Students perform well in science with 84% reaching proficiency or above, and reading scores are also strong with 81% proficient or better. Math proficiency stands at 71%, indicating areas for improvement but still showing solid overall performance.

The school is situated in a remote rural area that offers a close-knit community atmosphere. Lake Mills Middle School provides an educational experience within the unique setting of its rural surroundings, fostering a supportive and familiar environment for students.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 141 students, Lake Mills Middle School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

The student-teacher ratio at Lake Mills Middle School is 28.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Lake Mills Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.34 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.9Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg-20.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.3 pts
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected-6.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
Resources & Environment1.6Significantly Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio28.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,137

Lake Mills Middle School — Students at Lake Mills Middle School score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 70.8%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 81.3%
School
State
76.8%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
81.3%
ELA
88.8%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Lake Mills Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
32th percentile in IA
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
1.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
28:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

102 S 4th Ave E, Lake Mills, IA 50450

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lake Mills Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Forest City Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Forest City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SOUTHWEST MIDDLE (rated 5.8/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Albert Lea), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lake Mills, see our Lake Mills schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Lake Mills Elementary School Lake Mills 0.0 mi 8.4
Lake Mills Senior High School Lake Mills 0.0 mi 7.6
SCARVILLE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Scarville 5.9 mi
Forest City Middle School Forest City 11.9 mi 7.0
Forest City High School Forest City 11.9 mi 8.2
Forest City Elementary School Forest City 12.1 mi 8.3
Next Step West (Alden) Alden 17.7 mi
First Step Alden Austin 17.9 mi
Enrich Alden Austin 17.9 mi
ALDEN-CONGER ELEMENTARY Alden 17.9 mi 5.9
ALDEN-CONGER SECONDARY Alden 17.9 mi 5.6
SOUTHWEST MIDDLE Albert Lea 17.2 mi 5.8
SIBLEY ELEMENTARY Albert Lea 17.2 mi 6.7
HALVERSON ELEMENTARY Albert Lea 17.3 mi 8.8
LAKEVIEW ELEMENTARY Albert Lea 18.2 mi 6.8
ST THEODORE'S EL Albert Lea 18.3 mi 7.9
GLENVILLE EMMONS ELEMENTARY Glenville 16.5 mi 5.7
Success East Austin 16.5 mi
Brookside Early Childhood Sp Ed Albert Lea 18.9 mi 7.2
GLENVILLE-EMMONS SECONDARY Glenville 16.6 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50450 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,522

Median Home Value

$157,500

Median Rent

$640/mo

Population

3,001

College Educated

18.5%

Homeownership

74.1%

Poverty Rate

10.8%

Median Age

45.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lake Mills Middle School has a median household income of $76,522. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $157,500, with a median rent of $640/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.8%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Galva-Holstein Upper Elementary Galva, IA 5.8
Pleasantville Middle School Pleasantville, IA 5.8
Highland Middle School Riverside, IA 5.9
Sioux Central Middle School Sioux Rapids, IA 5.9
West Bend-Mallard Middle School West Bend, IA 5.6
Rock Valley Middle School Rock Valley, IA 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lake Mills Middle School

What grades does Lake Mills Middle School serve?

Lake Mills Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Lake Mills Middle School?

Lake Mills Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 141 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lake Mills Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Lake Mills Middle School is 28.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lake Mills Middle School rank in IA?

Lake Mills Middle School is ranked #866 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Lake Mills Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Lake Mills Middle School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Lake Mills Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lake Mills Middle School has 70.8% math proficiency and 81.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lake Mills Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Lake Mills Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

35.5% of students at Lake Mills 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
141
Student-Teacher Ratio
28.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
35.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Winnebago County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Lake Mills Comm School District
District Enrollment
670
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,708
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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