Skip to main content

Very Good

#144 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 11% in state

Montezuma Junior High School

Middle School · Montezuma Comm School District

PO BOX 580 504 N 4th St, Montezuma, IA 50171

Enrollment

106

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

7.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Montezuma

#1 of 3

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#22 of 248

In district

#1 of 3

Montezuma Comm School District

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Montezuma Junior High School

Montezuma Junior High School is a regular public middle school serving students in grades six through eight. Located in the remote rural area of Montezuma, Iowa, in Poweshiek County, the school has an enrollment of 106 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1 with eight full-time equivalent teachers. Montezuma Junior High School focuses on providing a supportive educational environment that emphasizes academic development.

The MySchoolScout Rating for the school is 6.6 out of 10, placing it in the 73rd percentile among Iowa schools. Students perform well in English Language Arts and Math, with 79% achieving proficiency or above in both subjects. In Science, 69% are proficient or higher.

Despite its small size, Montezuma Junior High School offers a close-knit community where students can thrive academically and socially. The school is situated in the heart of a rural setting, fostering a strong sense of connection between the school and local families.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 106 students, Montezuma Junior High 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.

Located in a rural area, Montezuma Junior High 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 Progress8.9Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.99 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.7Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg+4.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.7 pts
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected+3.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
Resources & Environment6.6Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,315

Montezuma Junior High School — Students at Montezuma Junior High School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 78.6%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 78.6%
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
77%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
85.2%
ELA
85.2%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How Montezuma Junior High School Compares

See how Montezuma Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
89th percentile in IA
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Location

PO BOX 580 504 N 4th St, Montezuma, IA 50171

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Montezuma Junior High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Oskaloosa Middle School (rated 7.6/10, 20.4 miles away, in nearby Oskaloosa), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Grinnell Community Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Grinnell), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Montezuma, see our Montezuma schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Montezuma Elementary School Montezuma 0.0 mi 7.3
Montezuma High School Montezuma 0.0 mi 6.4
Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Elementary School Brooklyn 11.0 mi 8.2
Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Jr-Sr High School Brooklyn 11.0 mi 6.6
North Mahaska Jr-Sr High School New Sharon 11.0 mi 5.3
North Mahaska Elementary School New Sharon 11.0 mi 6.3
Tri-County JR/SR High School Thornburg 13.7 mi 6.1
Tri-County Elementary School Thornburg 13.7 mi 4.7
Grinnell Community Middle School Grinnell 13.8 mi 6.9
Fairview Elementary School Grinnell 14.7 mi 6.8
CENTRAL IOWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grinnell 14.7 mi 5.2
Davis Elementary School Grinnell 14.5 mi 6.8
Bailey Park Elementary School Grinnell 15.4 mi 7.0
Grinnell Community Senior High School Grinnell 15.6 mi 7.2
H-L-V Junior-Senior High School Victor 15.3 mi 5.0
H-L-V Elementary School Victor 15.3 mi 7.7
Oskaloosa High School Oskaloosa 20.3 mi 6.0
Oskaloosa Virtual Academy Oskaloosa 20.3 mi
Oskaloosa Middle School Oskaloosa 20.4 mi 7.6
SULLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sully 16.2 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50171 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,944

Median Home Value

$188,700

Median Rent

$822/mo

Population

2,445

College Educated

17.1%

Homeownership

70.8%

Avg Commute

23.3 min

Poverty Rate

11%

Median Age

52.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Montezuma Junior High School has a median household income of $55,944. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $188,700, with a median rent of $822/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.0%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
George-Little Rock Middle School George, IA 8.0
LASALLE CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Cedar Rapids, IA 8.0
Southwest Valley Middle School Villisca, IA 8.0
Southeast Warren Intermediate Lacona, IA 7.8
BCLUW Middle School Union, IA 7.7
North Iowa Middle School Buffalo Center, IA 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Montezuma Junior High School

What grades does Montezuma Junior High School serve?

Montezuma Junior High School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Montezuma Junior High School?

Montezuma Junior High School has an enrollment of approximately 106 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Montezuma Junior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Montezuma Junior High School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Montezuma Junior High School rank in IA?

Montezuma Junior High School is ranked #144 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Montezuma Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Montezuma Junior High School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Montezuma Junior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Montezuma Junior High School has 78.6% math proficiency and 78.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Montezuma Junior High School a charter school?

No, Montezuma Junior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Montezuma Junior High School a Title I school?

No, Montezuma Junior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Montezuma Junior High School?

34.9% of students at Montezuma Junior High 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
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (344/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
106
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Poweshiek County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Montezuma Comm School District
District Enrollment
472
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,059
District Rank
#1 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

Related 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.