Very Good
#304 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 24% in state
Pcm Middle School
Middle School · PCM Comm School District
PO BOX 490 407 Plainsmen Rd, Prairie City, IA 50228
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Prairie City
#1 of 2
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#56 of 248
In district
#1 of 4
PCM Comm School District
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Pcm Middle School
PCM Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural setting of Prairie City, Iowa. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, PCM Middle School has an enrollment of 240 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1 with 17 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at PCM Middle School shows areas for growth but also highlights strengths in certain subjects.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 6.0 out of 10, placing it at the 60th percentile among Iowa schools. In terms of proficiency rates across grade levels, 79% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 72% in Math. Science scores show 60% proficiency or above.
Despite its ranking, PCM Middle School is an integral part of the Prairie City community, providing a supportive environment for rural middle schoolers to develop academically and socially. The school's setting offers students access to nature and smaller-town advantages like close-knit relationships with teachers and peers.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Pcm 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
View breakdown
Pcm Middle School — Students at Pcm Middle School score 72% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30%
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: 9.2/10.
How Pcm Middle School Compares
See how Pcm Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 65% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 68% (2019) to 78% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 490 407 Plainsmen Rd, Prairie City, IA 50228
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pcm Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pleasantville Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Pleasantville), a more accessible option. Another option is Southeast Polk Junior High (rated 5.2/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Pleasant Hill), a more accessible option. Additionally, Spring Creek - 6th Grade (rated 4.6/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Pleasant Hill), a more accessible option. For more schools in Prairie City, see our Prairie City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.8 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50228 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$89,511
Median Home Value
$197,200
Median Rent
$796/mo
Population
2,345
College Educated
31.2%
Homeownership
82.9%
Avg Commute
32.7 min
Poverty Rate
1%
Median Age
39
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pcm Middle School has a median household income of $89,511. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $197,200, with a median rent of $796/month. The local poverty rate of 1.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Center Point-Urbana Middle School Center Point, IA | 7.4 |
| Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Middle School Garner, IA | 7.4 |
| Knoxville Middle School Knoxville, IA | 7.4 |
| South Hardin Middle School Hubbard, IA | 7.4 |
| West Hancock Middle School Kanawha, IA | 7.4 |
| Roland-Story Middle School Roland, IA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pcm Middle School
What grades does Pcm Middle School serve?
Pcm Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Pcm Middle School?
Pcm Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 240 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pcm Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Pcm Middle School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pcm Middle School rank in IA?
Pcm Middle School is ranked #304 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Pcm Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Pcm Middle School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Pcm Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pcm Middle School has 72.3% math proficiency and 79.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pcm Middle School a charter school?
No, Pcm Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pcm Middle School a Title I school?
No, Pcm Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pcm Middle School?
30.0% of students at Pcm 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Prairie City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 240
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Jasper County
- Phone
- (515) 994-8222
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
PCM Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,088
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,871
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
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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