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#871 of 1,280 schools in IA

Norwalk Middle School

Middle School · Norwalk Comm School District

200 Cherry Street, Norwalk, IA 50211

Enrollment

804

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

5.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Norwalk

#3 of 5

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#185 of 248

In district

#3 of 5

Norwalk Comm School District

About Norwalk Middle School

Norwalk Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 and enrolls 804 students in the Norwalk area of Warren County, Iowa. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1 with 51 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, providing a reasonably sized learning environment. Academically, Norwalk Middle School ranks in the middle range for Iowa schools, placing in the 57th percentile statewide.

Math performance stands out as a relative strength, with 81% of students achieving proficiency or above. Science proficiency reaches 76%, while ELA/Reading shows 75% of students at or above proficiency levels. These results suggest the school has solid foundational performance across core subjects, with particular success in mathematical instruction.

The school carries a MySchoolScout academic score of 7.4/10, reflecting competent but developing academics. As a regular public school situated in a large suburban setting, Norwalk Middle School serves as a neighborhood school for families in the greater Norwalk community, offering the resources and structure typical of public middle schools in the region.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.8Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency76%
Reading/ELA Proficiency76%
Math vs. State Avg+3.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.3 pts
Overall Proficiency76%
Expected (poverty-adj.)81%
vs. Expected-4.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
Resources & Environment3.6Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,815

Norwalk Middle School — Students at Norwalk Middle School score 76% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 81%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 80.8%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 75.3%
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
78%
ELA
76%
2021*
Math
76%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
76%
ELA
76%
2025
Math
84.8%
ELA
75%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Norwalk Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
32th percentile in IA
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
3.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
51 teachers

Location

200 Cherry Street, Norwalk, IA 50211

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Norwalk Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. McCombs Middle School (rated 5.5/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Brody Middle School (rated 2.8/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), a more accessible option. For more schools in Norwalk, see our Norwalk schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Norwalk Senior High School Norwalk 0.2 mi 5.9
Oviatt Elementary School Norwalk 0.5 mi 5.2
MAIN STREET SCHOOL Norwalk 0.6 mi
NORWALK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Norwalk 0.9 mi
Lakewood Elementary School Norwalk 2.0 mi 5.7
Orchard Hills Elementary Norwalk 1.6 mi 7.7
Morris Elementary School Des Moines 4.1 mi 6.8
McCombs Middle School Des Moines 4.0 mi 5.5
Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines 4.2 mi 5.0
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines 4.8 mi 6.0
Wright Elementary School Des Moines 5.0 mi 3.5
Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines 5.4 mi 4.8
DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Des Moines 5.5 mi 6.5
Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines 5.1 mi 5.0
Brody Middle School Des Moines 5.9 mi 2.8
South Union Elementary School Des Moines 5.9 mi 7.4
Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines 5.6 mi 6.3
Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines 6.3 mi 3.8
Lincoln High School Des Moines 6.6 mi 3.8
BERGMAN ACADEMY Des Moines 7.3 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50211 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,661

Median Home Value

$293,800

Median Rent

$883/mo

Population

16,222

College Educated

37.1%

Homeownership

86.1%

Avg Commute

21.6 min

Poverty Rate

4.5%

Median Age

37.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Norwalk Middle School has a median household income of $97,661. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $293,800, with a median rent of $883/month. The local poverty rate of 4.5% 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
Bettendorf Middle School Bettendorf, IA 5.8
Dallas Center-Grimes Middle School Grimes, IA 5.8
DC-G Oak View Grimes, IA 5.7
Spencer Middle School Spencer, IA 5.9
Fort Dodge Middle School Fort Dodge, IA 5.6
Jefferson Intermediate Pella, IA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Norwalk Middle School

What grades does Norwalk Middle School serve?

Norwalk Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Norwalk Middle School?

Norwalk Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 804 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Norwalk Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Norwalk Middle School is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Norwalk Middle School rank in IA?

Norwalk Middle School is ranked #871 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Norwalk Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Norwalk Middle School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Norwalk Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Norwalk Middle School has 80.8% math proficiency and 75.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Norwalk Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Norwalk Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

18.0% of students at Norwalk 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

City Safety
Average (289/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Norwalk). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
804
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
51
Free/Reduced Lunch
18.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Warren County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Norwalk Comm School District
District Enrollment
3,591
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,499
District Rank
#3 of 5

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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