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Average

#882 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

5.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#882 of 1,280

In Des Moines

#16 of 64

public schools

In district

#12 of 59

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

Academic growth

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Meredith Middle School

5.5/10

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

Hoover High School

4.2/10

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

Moore Elementary School

6.9/10

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

About Meredith Middle School

Meredith Middle School is a public middle school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Meredith Middle School serves approximately 653 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Meredith Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #882 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Meredith Middle School show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.5 pts above district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 4.0
  • IA avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

47% of students at Meredith 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 Progress7.4Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.45 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.5Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.3% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency59.2% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-21.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.5 pts
Overall Proficiency55% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)54% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+0.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
Resources & Environment3.8Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,518
Chronic Absenteeism47%

Meredith Middle School — Students at Meredith Middle School score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 51.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.4% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 50.2% (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
63%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
61%
ELA
52%
2011
Math
49%
ELA
40%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
38%
2013
Math
53%
ELA
48%
2014
Math
56%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
55%
ELA
56%
2016
Math
56%
ELA
58%
2017
Math
54%
ELA
53%
2018
Math
49%
ELA
48%
2019
Math
49%
ELA
48%
2020*
Math
40%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
40%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
36%
ELA
46%
2025
Math
51.3%
ELA
59.2%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How Meredith Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
31th percentile in IA
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
7.4/10
Very Good
Environment
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
47.0%

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

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 8.4/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cowles Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 2.1 miles away), 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 4.2
Moore Elementary School Des Moines 0.5 mi 6.9
Samuelson Elementary School Des Moines 0.8 mi 5.7
HOLY TRINITY Des Moines 0.9 mi 6.7
Woodlawn Early Childhood Center Des Moines 0.9 mi 2.7
Hillis Elementary School Des Moines 1.4 mi 3.0
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 4.0
Monroe Elementary School Des Moines 1.8 mi 4.6
Urbandale High School Urbandale 1.7 mi 5.8
Olmsted Elementary School Urbandale 1.7 mi 8.4
Cowles Elementary School Des Moines 2.1 mi 7.7
ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines 2.4 mi 6.7
Windsor Elementary Des Moines 2.5 mi 6.3
Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale 2.0 mi 7.4
Lawson Elementary School Johnston 2.7 mi 6.8
Urbandale Middle School Urbandale 2.2 mi 6.1
Roosevelt High School Des Moines 2.9 mi 4.1
Timber Ridge Elementary Johnston 2.4 mi 6.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bunger Middle School Evansdale, IA 5.6
Carroll Middle School Carroll, IA 5.3
Southeast Junior High School Iowa City, IA 5.3
Woodrow Wilson Middle School Council Bluffs, IA 5.3
B R Miller Middle School Marshalltown, IA 5.8
Boone Middle School Boone, IA 5.8

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 ranks #882 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Meredith Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Meredith Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Meredith Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Meredith Middle School has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
43 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
47.0%

District

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

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