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Below Average

#1195 of 1,280 schools in IA

Newell-fonda Middle Sch.

Middle School · Newell-Fonda Comm School District

PO BOX 297 205 Clark St, Newell, IA 50568

Enrollment

130

Student-Teacher

21.7:1

Score

4.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Newell

#3 of 3

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#238 of 248

In district

#3 of 3

Newell-Fonda Comm School District

About Newell-fonda Middle Sch.

Newell-Fonda Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural setting of Newell, Iowa. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 130 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 21.7:1, it offers personalized attention within its small community atmosphere.

Newell-Fonda Middle School’s academic performance shows that 70% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 59% are proficient or above in Math. The school ranks at the 4th percentile among Iowa's schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 3.2 out of 10, indicating areas for improvement but also opportunities for growth. Newell-Fonda Middle School is situated in a rural area where students benefit from close-knit community ties and supportive educational settings.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 130 students, Newell-fonda Middle Sch. 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Newell-fonda Middle Sch. is 21.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Newell-fonda Middle Sch. 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 Progress5.3Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.09 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.4Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg-25.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.7 pts
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected-5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,977

Newell-fonda Middle Sch. — Students at Newell-fonda Middle Sch. score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 62.3%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 74.0%
School
State
76.8%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
65.9%
ELA
77.6%

* 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: 5.3/10.

How Newell-fonda Middle Sch. Compares

See how Newell-fonda Middle Sch. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
7th percentile in IA
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
5.3/10
Above average
Environment
2.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

PO BOX 297 205 Clark St, Newell, IA 50568

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Newell-fonda Middle Sch. may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Schaller-Crestland Ridge View Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Schaller), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sioux Central Middle School (rated 5.9/10, 20.1 miles away, in nearby Sioux Rapids), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Storm Lake Middle School (rated 3.8/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Storm Lake), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Newell, see our Newell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Newell-Fonda Elementary Newell 0.0 mi 6.8
Newell-Fonda High School Newell 0.0 mi 6.1
Albert City-Truesdale Elementary School Albert City 12.5 mi 8.8
East Sac County Elementary Sac City 12.9 mi 8.0
East Early Childhood Ctr Storm Lake 10.0 mi 7.7
St Lake/IA Cntrl/Buena Vista Early College HS Storm Lake 10.3 mi 5.6
Storm Lake High School Storm Lake 10.3 mi 2.4
Schaller-Crestland Ridge View Middle School Schaller 12.7 mi 7.0
Storm Lake Middle School Storm Lake 12.0 mi 3.8
Storm Lake Elementary Storm Lake 12.0 mi 4.6
Storm Lake Early Elementary School Storm Lake 12.2 mi 7.5
Laurens-Marathon Elementary School Laurens 18.6 mi 4.2
East Sac County High School Lake View 20.6 mi 5.7
Sioux Central Middle School Sioux Rapids 20.1 mi 5.9
Sioux Central Elementary School Sioux Rapids 20.1 mi 6.0
Sioux Central High School Sioux Rapids 20.1 mi 6.8
Alta Elementary School Alta 16.1 mi 8.3
Alta-Aurelia High School Alta 16.1 mi 7.5
Schaller-Crestland Elementary Schaller 17.0 mi 9.2
Pocahontas Area Elementary School Pocahontas 18.7 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50568 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,946

Median Home Value

$124,300

Median Rent

$717/mo

Population

1,364

College Educated

15.6%

Homeownership

79.9%

Avg Commute

21 min

Poverty Rate

4.8%

Median Age

40.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Newell-fonda Middle Sch. has a median household income of $74,946. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $124,300, with a median rent of $717/month. The local poverty rate of 4.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Ogden Middle School Ogden, IA 4.1
Earlham Middle School Earlham, IA 4.6
Albia Middle School Albia, IA 4.7
East Marshall Middle School Gilman, IA 4.7
Panorama Middle School Panora, IA 4.8
West Bend-Mallard Middle School West Bend, IA 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Newell-fonda Middle Sch.

What grades does Newell-fonda Middle Sch. serve?

Newell-fonda Middle Sch. serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Newell-fonda Middle Sch.?

Newell-fonda Middle Sch. has an enrollment of approximately 130 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Newell-fonda Middle Sch.?

The student-teacher ratio at Newell-fonda Middle Sch. is 21.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Newell-fonda Middle Sch. rank in IA?

Newell-fonda Middle Sch. is ranked #1195 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Newell-fonda Middle Sch.'s MySchoolScout rating?

Newell-fonda Middle Sch. has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Newell-fonda Middle Sch.?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Newell-fonda Middle Sch. has 62.3% math proficiency and 74.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Newell-fonda Middle Sch. a charter school?

No, Newell-fonda Middle Sch. is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Newell-fonda Middle Sch. a Title I school?

No, Newell-fonda Middle Sch. is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Newell-fonda Middle Sch.?

46.9% of students at Newell-fonda Middle Sch. 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

County Safety
Low (169/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
130
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
46.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Buena Vista County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Newell-Fonda Comm School District
District Enrollment
556
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,061
District Rank
#3 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

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