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#1068 of 1,280 schools in IA

Oelwein Middle School

Middle School · Oelwein Comm School District

300 12th Ave SE, Oelwein, IA 50662

Enrollment

365

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

5.0

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Oelwein

#2 of 5

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#211 of 248

In district

#2 of 5

Oelwein Comm School District

Academic growth

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Oelwein Middle School

Oelwein Middle School is a regular public school located in the heart of Oelwein, Iowa. Serving students from fifth through eighth grade, this middle school has an enrollment of 365 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1 with 20 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Oelwein Middle School shows areas for growth, with state rankings placing it in the 7th percentile out of 1288 schools statewide.

Students achieve proficiency rates of 55% in ELA/Reading, 48% in Math, and 57% in Science. While these scores suggest there is room for improvement, the school community remains dedicated to supporting each student's development. Nestled in a small town setting, Oelwein Middle School benefits from close-knit ties within its local community.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Oelwein Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics3.2Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency53%
Math vs. State Avg-25 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.7 pts
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected-8.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
Resources & Environment3.2Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,185

Oelwein Middle School — Students at Oelwein Middle School score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 47.5%
School
State
73.1%
ELA Proficiency 54.8%
School
State
75.3%

Based on 16 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
47%
ELA
46%
2021*
Math
44%
ELA
54%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
53%
2025
Math
48.6%
ELA
57.7%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Oelwein Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
17th percentile in IA
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

300 12th Ave SE, Oelwein, IA 50662

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Oelwein Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Wings Park Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is East Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Independence), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Independence Junior Senior High School (rated 6.4/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Independence), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Oelwein, see our Oelwein schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Oelwein High School Oelwein 0.2 mi 4.8
Little Husky Learning Center Oelwein 0.2 mi 4.3
Wings Park Elementary School Oelwein 0.5 mi 8.2
Oelwein Online School Oelwein 1.3 mi 3.9
Rural Elementary School #1 Fairbank 5.4 mi
West Central Charter High School Maynard 6.7 mi 6.1
West Central PK - 8 School Maynard 6.7 mi 6.3
Rural Elementary School #2 Fairbank 6.0 mi
Rural Elementary School #4 Fairbank 7.2 mi
Prairie Grove Elementary School Jesup 8.4 mi
Fairbank Elementary School Fairbank 7.8 mi 5.1
Triumph Elementary School Jesup 8.9 mi 2.0
Perry #1 Elementary School Jesup 10.3 mi
INDEPENDENCE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Independence 13.2 mi
ST JOHNS SCHOOL Independence 14.0 mi 6.2
Early Childhood Center Independence 14.2 mi 5.4
East Elementary School Independence 14.2 mi 7.1
West Elementary School Independence 14.3 mi 6.0
Independence Junior Senior High School Independence 14.6 mi 6.4
SCENIC VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fayette 16.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50662 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,145

Median Home Value

$108,200

Median Rent

$760/mo

Population

6,497

College Educated

15.7%

Homeownership

78.5%

Avg Commute

21.6 min

Poverty Rate

16.3%

Median Age

46.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Oelwein Middle School has a median household income of $49,145. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $108,200, with a median rent of $760/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. 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
West Liberty Middle School West Liberty, IA 5.0
Woodward-Granger Middle School Woodward, IA 5.0
Carroll Middle School Carroll, IA 5.1
REGIS MIDDLE SCHOOL Cedar Rapids, IA 4.9
Central Lee Middle School Donnellson, IA 5.2
Clarke Community Middle School Osceola, IA 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Oelwein Middle School

What grades does Oelwein Middle School serve?

Oelwein Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Oelwein Middle School?

Oelwein Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 365 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Oelwein Middle School is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Oelwein Middle School rank in IA?

Oelwein Middle School is ranked #1068 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Oelwein Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Oelwein Middle School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Oelwein Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Oelwein Middle School has 47.5% math proficiency and 54.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Oelwein Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Oelwein Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

57.3% of students at Oelwein 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
Elevated (765/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
365
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Fayette County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Oelwein Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,349
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,574
District Rank
#2 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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