Average
#942 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
5.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
644
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
5.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#34 of 64
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#196 of 248
In district
#30 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
Academic growth
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Mccombs Middle School
McCombs Middle School is a regular public school located in Des Moines, Iowa. It serves students in grades six through eight and has an enrollment of 644 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1. The school is well-staffed with 39 full-time equivalent teachers, ensuring that each student receives individual attention.
Academically, McCombs Middle School ranks #1107 out of 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it in the 14th percentile statewide. While the MySchoolScout Rating is currently at 3.5 out of 10, with room for improvement in test performance (ELA/Reading: 50% proficient or above; Math: 50% proficient or above; Science: 50% proficient or above), the school continues to focus on student development and growth. McCombs Middle School is situated in a mid-size city, providing students with diverse opportunities both within and outside of the classroom.
The school community works closely to support its students as they transition through middle school.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Mccombs 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
Mccombs Middle School — Students at Mccombs Middle School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 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: 7.6/10.
How Mccombs Middle School Compares
See how Mccombs Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 38% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 47% (2022).
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 5.8/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Norwalk), with a very similar rating. Another option is Weeks Middle School (rated 4.2/10, 2.9 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Brody Middle School (rated 2.8/10, 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 | 5.0 |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Morris Elementary School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Wright Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 3.5 |
| South Union Elementary School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Jackson Elementary School Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Weeks Middle School Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Howe Elementary Des Moines | 3.1 mi | 5.7 |
| DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Lincoln High School Des Moines | 3.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Brody Middle School Des Moines | 3.4 mi | 2.8 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 4.0 mi | 6.5 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 4.1 mi | 4.2 |
| River Woods Elementary School Des Moines | 3.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Norwalk Senior High School Norwalk | 3.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Norwalk Middle School Norwalk | 4.0 mi | 5.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mccombs Middle School has a median household income of $83,710. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $207,700, with a median rent of $1,110/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Southeast Junior High School Iowa City, IA | 5.5 |
| Stilwell Junior High School West Des Moines, IA | 5.5 |
| Bondurant - Farrar Intermediate School Bondurant, IA | 5.4 |
| Fort Dodge Middle School Fort Dodge, IA | 5.6 |
| Lenihan Intermediate School Marshalltown, IA | 5.4 |
| Northwest Junior High School Coralville, IA | 5.6 |
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 is ranked #942 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Mccombs Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mccombs Middle School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Mccombs Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mccombs Middle School has 49.8% math proficiency and 49.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,846/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Des Moines). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (515) 242-8447
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #30 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.