Excellent
#16 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 1% in state
North Union Middle School
Middle School · North Kossuth Comm School District
PO BOX 567 203 5th St North, Swea City, IA 50590
Enrollment
118
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
9.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
118
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
9.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Swea City
#2 of 2
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#1 of 248
In district
#2 of 2
North Kossuth Comm School District
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About North Union Middle School
North Union Middle School is a public middle school in Swea City, IA, part of the North Kossuth Comm School District. The school serves approximately 118 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 9.0/10, placing it in the 98.8th percentile among IA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 71% proficiency in math, 3 points below the state average and 82% in reading/language arts, 5 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $65,500, where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a remote rural setting.
What's said publicly about North Union Middle School
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 118 students, North Union 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, North Union 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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North Union Middle School — Students at North Union Middle School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51.7%
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: 9.7/10.
How North Union Middle School Compares
See how North Union Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 87% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 567 203 5th St North, Swea City, IA 50590
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Union Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. North Union Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Fenton), which scores slightly higher. Another option is North Kossuth Elementary School (rated 9.3/10), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, North Union High School (rated 8.4/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Armstrong), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Swea City, see our Swea City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 22.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Kossuth Elementary School Swea City | 0.0 mi | 9.3 |
| North Union High School Armstrong | 8.4 mi | 8.4 |
| LITTLE MUSTANGS LEARNING CENTER Armstrong | 8.5 mi | — |
| North Union Elementary Fenton | 12.5 mi | 9.5 |
| FAIRMONT JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL Fairmont | 18.7 mi | 4.2 |
| FAIRMONT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fairmont | 19.1 mi | — |
| ST JOHN VIANNEY SCHOOL Fairmont | 19.3 mi | 6.0 |
| FAIRMONT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fairmont | 19.4 mi | 6.2 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fairmont | 19.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Granada Huntley East Chain Elem Sch Granada | 21.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Granada Huntley East Chain High Sch Granada | 21.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Granada Huntley East Chain Middle S Granada | 21.8 mi | 5.8 |
| SOUTHERN PLAINS EDUCATION COOP. Fairmont | 20.8 mi | — |
| SOUTHERN PLAINS AREA LEARNING CNTR. Fairmont | 20.8 mi | 7.6 |
| POSITIVE APPROACH TO LEARNING Fairmont | 20.8 mi | — |
| SOUTHERN PLAINS BRIDGES Fairmont | 20.8 mi | — |
| BISHOP GARRIGAN CAMPUS Algona | 21.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Bryant Elementary School Algona | 22.0 mi | 5.6 |
| SETON GRADE SCHOOL Algona | 22.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Bertha Godfrey Elementary School Algona | 22.2 mi | 4.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50590 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,500
Median Home Value
$57,700
Median Rent
$678/mo
Population
736
College Educated
22%
Homeownership
71%
Poverty Rate
24%
Median Age
48.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Union Middle School has a median household income of $65,500. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $57,700, with a median rent of $678/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| West Monona Middle School Onawa, IA | 9.0 |
| MVAO Middle School Anthon, IA | 8.3 |
| West Sioux Middle School Hawarden, IA | 8.1 |
| LASALLE CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Cedar Rapids, IA | 8.0 |
| Southwest Valley Middle School Villisca, IA | 8.0 |
| Montezuma Junior High School Montezuma, IA | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Union Middle School
What grades does North Union Middle School serve?
North Union Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend North Union Middle School?
North Union Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 118 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Union Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at North Union Middle School is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Union Middle School rank in IA?
North Union Middle School is ranked #16 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is North Union Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
North Union Middle School has a composite rating of 9.0 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 North Union Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Union Middle School has 70.7% math proficiency and 81.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is North Union Middle School a charter school?
No, North Union Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Union Middle School a Title I school?
No, North Union Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Union Middle School?
51.7% of students at North Union 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 118
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 51.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Kossuth County
- Phone
- (515) 272-4361
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
North Kossuth Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 265
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,453
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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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