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Average

#521 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 41% in state

Nodaway Valley Middle School

Middle School · Nodaway Valley Comm School District

112 1st St, Fontanelle, IA 50846

Enrollment

135

Student-Teacher

19.3:1

Score

6.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa middle schools

#103 of 248

In district

#2 of 3

Nodaway Valley Comm School District

Equity

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Nodaway Valley Middle School

Nodaway Valley Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the remote rural area of Fontanelle, Iowa. The school serves students from sixth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 135 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 19.3:1. There are seven full-time equivalent teachers on staff to support this diverse group of young adolescents.

Academically, Nodaway Valley Middle School holds its own with strong performance in science, where 96% of students are proficient or above. ELA and reading scores also show 79% proficiency, while math scores come in at 77%. These results indicate a solid foundation but suggest areas for growth, particularly in math.

The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.8 out of 10, placing it at the 57th percentile among Iowa schools. While there is room for improvement, Nodaway Valley Middle School continues to focus on student development and engagement within its rural setting. Nestled in a remote part of Adair County, the school’s location provides students with a close-knit community atmosphere, where everyone knows each other well.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 135 students, Nodaway Valley Middle 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, Nodaway Valley Middle 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 Progress8.3Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.0Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg-0.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.7 pts
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected+10.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,777

Nodaway Valley Middle School — Students at Nodaway Valley Middle School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 76.5%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 79.3%
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
72%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
79.4%
ELA
86.5%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How Nodaway Valley Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
59th percentile in IA
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
8.3/10
Above average
Environment
2.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

112 1st St, Fontanelle, IA 50846

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nodaway Valley Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Creston Middle School (rated 8.1/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Creston), which scores notably higher. Another option is Adair-Casey Jr. High School (rated 6.1/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Adair), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Iowa Connections Academy Middle School (rated 2.9/10, 15.0 miles away, in nearby Anita), a more accessible option. For more schools in Fontanelle, see our Fontanelle schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Nodaway Valley High School Greenfield 5.5 mi 6.0
Nodaway Valley Elementary School Greenfield 5.6 mi 7.8
Orient Elementary School Orient 10.0 mi 3.9
Orient-Macksburg Senior High School Orient 10.0 mi 6.1
CAM Elementary School Massena 10.6 mi 3.3
Adair-Casey Elementary School Adair 16.1 mi 6.4
Adair-Casey Jr. High School Adair 16.1 mi 6.1
Iowa Connections Academy High School Anita 15.0 mi 2.7
Iowa Connections Academy Middle School Anita 15.0 mi 2.9
Iowa Connections Academy Elementary Anita 15.0 mi 2.3
CAM Jr./Sr. High School Anita 15.6 mi 6.2
Creston Middle School Creston 17.8 mi 8.1
Creston Elementary School Creston 17.8 mi 7.5
Creston High School Creston 18.1 mi 7.5
Creston Early Childhood Center Creston 18.6 mi 6.4
MAYFLOWER HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Creston 18.7 mi 6.3
ST MALACHY SCHOOL Creston 19.2 mi 5.1
Stuart Elementary School Stuart 19.9 mi 6.6
West Central Valley High School Stuart 20.3 mi 5.1
Corning Elementary School Corning 22.3 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50846 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,333

Median Home Value

$85,400

Median Rent

$825/mo

Population

1,223

College Educated

24.6%

Homeownership

69.5%

Avg Commute

21.9 min

Poverty Rate

2.9%

Median Age

38.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Nodaway Valley Middle School has a median household income of $73,333. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $85,400, with a median rent of $825/month. The local poverty rate of 2.9% 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
AGWSR Middle School Wellsburg, IA 6.7
Columbus Community Junior High School Columbus Junction, IA 6.7
Lynnville-Sully Middle School Sully, IA 6.7
Pierson Middle School Pierson, IA 6.7
Missouri Valley Middle School Missouri Valley, IA 6.8
North-Linn Middle School Troy Mills, IA 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nodaway Valley Middle School

What grades does Nodaway Valley Middle School serve?

Nodaway Valley Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Nodaway Valley Middle School?

Nodaway Valley Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 135 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nodaway Valley Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Nodaway Valley Middle School is 19.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nodaway Valley Middle School rank in IA?

Nodaway Valley Middle School is ranked #521 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Nodaway Valley Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Nodaway Valley Middle School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Nodaway Valley Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nodaway Valley Middle School has 76.5% math proficiency and 79.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Nodaway Valley Middle School a charter school?

No, Nodaway Valley Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Nodaway Valley Middle School a Title I school?

No, Nodaway Valley Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nodaway Valley Middle School?

51.9% of students at Nodaway Valley 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

County Safety
Low (161/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
135
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
51.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Adair County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Nodaway Valley Comm School District
District Enrollment
651
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,118
District Rank
#2 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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