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Below Average

#1001 of 1,280 schools in IA

Mccombs Middle School

Middle School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District

201 SW County Line Rd, Des Moines, IA 50320

Enrollment

644

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

4.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,001 of 1,280

In Des Moines

#21 of 64

public schools

In district

#17 of 59

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

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Mccombs Middle School

4.9/10

Middle School in Des Moines · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Studebaker Elementary School

3.1/10

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

Christ the King School

6.0/10

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

About Mccombs Middle School

Mccombs Middle School is a public middle school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Mccombs Middle School serves approximately 644 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Mccombs Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,001 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Mccombs Middle School show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts above district
  • This school 4.9 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.0
  • IA avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

54% of students at Mccombs 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 Progress6.3Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.7 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.9Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55.6% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.6% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-16.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.1 pts
Overall Proficiency56% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)53% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+2.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,518
Chronic Absenteeism53.7%

Mccombs Middle School — Students at Mccombs Middle School score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 55.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.4% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 51.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
76.8% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 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
62%
ELA
51%
2010
Math
55%
ELA
56%
2011
Math
59%
ELA
46%
2012
Math
60%
ELA
46%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
59%
2014
Math
64%
ELA
60%
2015
Math
61%
ELA
56%
2016
Math
61%
ELA
56%
2017
Math
54%
ELA
54%
2018
Math
54%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
54%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
40%
ELA
38%
2021*
Math
40%
ELA
38%
2022
Math
38%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
55.6%
ELA
55.6%

* 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: 6.3/10.

How Mccombs Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
22th percentile in IA
Academic
4.9/10
Below Average
Growth
6.3/10
Average
Environment
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
53.7%

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

201 SW County Line Rd, Des Moines, IA 50320

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mccombs Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Norwalk Middle School (rated 6.1/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Norwalk), which scores notably higher. Another option is Weeks Middle School (rated 4.1/10, 2.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Brody Middle School (rated 3.3/10, 3.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines 0.4 mi 3.1
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines 1.3 mi 6.0
Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines 1.4 mi 2.6
Morris Elementary School Des Moines 1.2 mi 4.2
Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines 1.6 mi 3.5
Wright Elementary School Des Moines 1.9 mi 5.5
South Union Elementary School Des Moines 2.2 mi 4.3
Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines 2.9 mi 3.1
Jackson Elementary School Des Moines 2.8 mi 3.5
Weeks Middle School Des Moines 2.9 mi 4.1
Howe Elementary Des Moines 3.1 mi 4.6
DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Des Moines 2.9 mi 6.5
Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines 2.9 mi 3.4
Lincoln High School Des Moines 3.3 mi 2.5
Brody Middle School Des Moines 3.4 mi 3.3
ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines 4.0 mi 6.5
McKinley Elementary School Des Moines 4.1 mi 3.3
River Woods Elementary School Des Moines 3.7 mi 4.7
Norwalk Senior High School Norwalk 3.9 mi 5.8
Norwalk Middle School Norwalk 4.0 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50320 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,710

Median Home Value

$207,700

Median Rent

$1,110/mo

Population

23,903

College Educated

24%

Homeownership

75.5%

Avg Commute

21.6 min

Poverty Rate

9.2%

Median Age

34.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Fort Dodge Middle School Fort Dodge, IA 5.0
Sudlow Intermediate Davenport, IA 5.0
Prairie Creek Cedar Rapids, IA 4.8
Storm Lake Middle School Storm Lake, IA 4.7
West Liberty Middle School West Liberty, IA 4.7
Clinton Middle School Clinton, IA 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mccombs Middle School

What grades does Mccombs Middle School serve?

Mccombs Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Mccombs Middle School?

Mccombs Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 644 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Mccombs Middle School is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mccombs Middle School rank in IA?

Mccombs Middle School ranks #1,001 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Mccombs Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mccombs Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 Mccombs Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mccombs Middle School has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Mccombs Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Mccombs Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

77.0% of students at Mccombs 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
9 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
34 Some Transit
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
644
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Polk County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
53.7%

District

Des Moines Independent Comm School District
District Enrollment
30,277
Schools in District
59
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,518
District Rank
#17 of 59

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