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Excellent

#92 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 7% 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

8.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#92 of 1,280

In Swea City

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

North Kossuth Comm School District

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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North Union Middle School

8.6/10

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

North Kossuth Elementary School

9.3/10

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

North Union High School

8.6/10

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

About North Union Middle School

North Union Middle School is a public middle school in Swea City, IA, part of North Kossuth Comm School District. North Union Middle School serves approximately 118 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. North Union Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #92 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for North Union Middle School show 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).

What's said publicly about North Union Middle School

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

North Union Community School District is located 35 miles east of the Iowa Great Lakes region 1 . The district shares grades 6-12 with the neighboring North Kossuth School District, and the two districts also share all athletic programs 1 . Combined enrollment for the districts is approximately 700 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade 1 . The high school is located in Armstrong, the middle school is in Swea City, and elementary campuses are located in both Swea City and Fenton 1 . Students at North Union High School utilize a 1:1 Chromebook learning environment 1 . The district describes itself as a high-achieving academic institution with outstanding community support 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.nuwarriors.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy
How it compares1.9 pts above IA schools
  • This school 8.6 · Excellent
  • IA avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

At 118 students, North Union Middle School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

North Union Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.8Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change+0.61 pts/yr
Data Period2012–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.4% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency87.8% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+1.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.1 pts
Overall Proficiency81% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)67% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+14.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
Resources & Environment6.3Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,453
Chronic Absenteeism27.1%

North Union Middle School — Students at North Union Middle School score 81% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 72.2% (multi-year average, 2012-2025)
School
State
73.4% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 74.7% (multi-year average, 2012-2025)
School
State
76.8% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 29 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2012
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
82%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
62%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
87%
2025
Math
74.4%
ELA
87.8%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How North Union Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.6/10
93th percentile in IA
Academic
8.9/10
Excellent
Growth
9.8/10
Excellent
Environment
6.3/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.1%

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

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 9.8/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Fenton), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Kossuth Elementary School (rated 9.3/10), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, North Union High School (rated 8.6/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Armstrong), with a very similar 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 8.6
LITTLE MUSTANGS LEARNING CENTER Armstrong 8.5 mi
North Union Elementary Fenton 12.5 mi 9.8
FAIRMONT JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL Fairmont 18.7 mi 5.7
FAIRMONT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fairmont 19.1 mi
ST JOHN VIANNEY SCHOOL Fairmont 19.3 mi 6.0
FAIRMONT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fairmont 19.4 mi 7.7
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fairmont 19.7 mi 6.2
Granada Huntley East Chain Elem Sch Granada 21.8 mi 3.7
Granada Huntley East Chain High Sch Granada 21.8 mi 7.0
Granada Huntley East Chain Middle S Granada 21.8 mi 5.9
SOUTHERN PLAINS EDUCATION COOP. Fairmont 20.8 mi
SOUTHERN PLAINS AREA LEARNING CNTR. Fairmont 20.8 mi 7.2
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 8.5
SETON GRADE SCHOOL Algona 22.0 mi 5.6
Bertha Godfrey Elementary School Algona 22.2 mi 4.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Montezuma Junior High School Montezuma, IA 8.6
Pierson Middle School Pierson, IA 8.5
South Winneshiek Middle School Ossian, IA 8.7
North-Linn Middle School Troy Mills, IA 8.8
Maquoketa Valley Middle School Delhi, IA 8.2
North Iowa Middle School Buffalo Center, IA 9.0

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 ranks #92 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is North Union Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

North Union Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 North Union Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, North Union Middle School has 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.1%

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

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