Average
#785 of 1,280 schools in IA
Meredith Middle School
Middle School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
4827 Madison Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310
Enrollment
653
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
653
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#25 of 64
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#169 of 248
In district
#21 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
Academic growth
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Meredith Middle School
Meredith Middle School is a regular public school in Des Moines, Iowa, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 653 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1, Meredith provides a supportive learning environment with 45 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's academic performance shows room for growth, as indicated by its MySchoolScout Rating of 3.9 out of 10 and state ranking of #1034 among 1288 schools in Iowa (20th percentile).
Students perform at a rate slightly above average in ELA/Reading with 52% proficiency or above, while 46% are proficient or above in Math and 50% in Science. Meredith Middle School is situated in the heart of Des Moines, offering students access to the city’s cultural amenities and resources. The school focuses on fostering a community where each student can grow academically and personally within this mid-size city setting.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Meredith 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
Meredith Middle School — Students at Meredith Middle School score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.3%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.0/10.
How Meredith Middle School Compares
See how Meredith Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 36% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 48% (2019) to 46% (2022).
Location
4827 Madison Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Meredith Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Olmsted Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Karen Acres Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hoover High School Des Moines | 0.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Moore Elementary School Des Moines | 0.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Samuelson Elementary School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| HOLY TRINITY Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Woodlawn Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Hillis Elementary School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 5.5 |
| ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Urbandale | 1.3 mi | 4.8 |
| MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Perkins Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Monroe Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Urbandale High School Urbandale | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Olmsted Elementary School Urbandale | 1.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 6.0 |
| ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Windsor Elementary Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Lawson Elementary School Johnston | 2.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Urbandale Middle School Urbandale | 2.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Roosevelt High School Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Timber Ridge Elementary Johnston | 2.4 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50310 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,473
Median Home Value
$213,800
Median Rent
$1,043/mo
Population
31,283
College Educated
36.4%
Homeownership
68.3%
Avg Commute
19.3 min
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Median Age
37.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Meredith Middle School has a median household income of $74,473. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $213,800, with a median rent of $1,043/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Jefferson Intermediate Pella, IA | 6.0 |
| Merrill Middle School Des Moines, IA | 6.0 |
| Taft Middle School Cedar Rapids, IA | 6.0 |
| West Middle School Sioux City, IA | 6.0 |
| Woodrow Wilson Middle School Council Bluffs, IA | 6.0 |
| Spencer Middle School Spencer, IA | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Meredith Middle School
What grades does Meredith Middle School serve?
Meredith Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Meredith Middle School?
Meredith Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 653 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Meredith Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Meredith Middle School is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Meredith Middle School rank in IA?
Meredith Middle School is ranked #785 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Meredith Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Meredith Middle School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Meredith Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Meredith Middle School has 46.5% math proficiency and 51.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Meredith Middle School a charter school?
No, Meredith Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Meredith Middle School a Title I school?
No, Meredith Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Meredith Middle School?
74.3% of students at Meredith 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
- 653
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 74.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 242-7250
- 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
- #21 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
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