Skip to main content

Average

#605 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 47% in state

Pella Middle School

Middle School · Pella Comm School District

613 E 13th, Pella, IA 50219

Enrollment

363

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

6.5

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pella

#2 of 5

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#129 of 248

In district

#2 of 5

Pella Comm School District

Equity

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Pella Middle School

Pella Middle School serves 363 students in grades 7-8 in the heart of Pella, Iowa, with a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1 supported by 22 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned impressive recognition, ranking #110 out of 1,288 schools statewide and placing in the 92nd percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10. Academic achievement stands out as a particular strength, with the school earning a 9.8 out of 10 academic score.

Students demonstrate strong performance across core subjects, with 91% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 88% reach proficiency or above in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to helping middle schoolers build essential skills during these crucial transitional years. The school draws from a stable, well-educated community where 46% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $86,588.

With a low poverty rate of 3.9% and median home values around $255,100, the surrounding ZIP code of 50219 represents an economically secure area of nearly 14,000 residents. Pella Middle School operates within this supportive small-town environment, where community values and educational excellence intersect to create an nurturing atmosphere for young adolescents.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.29 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.5Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency88%
Reading/ELA Proficiency91%
Math vs. State Avg+15.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.2 pts
Overall Proficiency90%
Expected (poverty-adj.)81%
vs. Expected+8.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
Resources & Environment3.6Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,689

Pella Middle School — Students at Pella Middle School score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 81%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

17.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 90.1%
School
State
73.9%
ELA Proficiency 88.5%
School
State
78.4%

Based on 11 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
92%
ELA
84%
2021*
Math
91%
ELA
88%
2022
Math
88%
ELA
91%
2025
Math
89.9%
ELA
89.8%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How Pella Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
53th percentile in IA
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
5.8/10
Above average
Environment
3.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

613 E 13th, Pella, IA 50219

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pella Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Knoxville Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Knoxville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lynnville-Sully Middle School (rated 6.7/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Sully), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Jefferson Intermediate (rated 6.0/10, 0.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Pella, see our Pella schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Jefferson Intermediate Pella 0.1 mi 6.0
Pella High School Pella 0.3 mi 6.2
Madison Elementary School Pella 0.4 mi 6.0
PELLA CHRISTIAN GRADE SCHOOL Pella 0.5 mi 7.2
PELLA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Pella 1.0 mi 5.7
Lincoln Elementary School Pella 1.0 mi 6.6
SULLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sully 12.1 mi 4.9
Lynnville-Sully High School Sully 12.5 mi 5.9
Lynnville-Sully Elementary School Sully 12.5 mi 7.7
Lynnville-Sully Middle School Sully 12.5 mi 6.7
Twin Cedars Elementary School Bussey 13.0 mi 6.6
Twin Cedars Jr-Sr High School Bussey 13.0 mi 7.3
Northstar Elementary School Knoxville 11.7 mi 6.5
PCM High School Monroe 12.8 mi 4.4
West Elementary Knoxville 12.8 mi 5.4
Knoxville High School Knoxville 12.9 mi 4.5
Knoxville Middle School Knoxville 12.9 mi 7.4
Monroe Elementary School Monroe 13.5 mi 4.0
Oskaloosa Elementary School Oskaloosa 13.9 mi 6.7
Oskaloosa Early Childhood Center - PK Oskaloosa 14.0 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50219 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,601

Median Home Value

$272,600

Median Rent

$995/mo

Population

14,267

College Educated

46%

Homeownership

69.5%

Avg Commute

14.4 min

Poverty Rate

4.6%

Median Age

37.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pella Middle School has a median household income of $83,601. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $272,600, with a median rent of $995/month. The local poverty rate of 4.6% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 14 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
Bondurant-Farrar Junior High Bondurant, IA 6.5
John Adams Middle School Mason City, IA 6.5
Van Meter Middle School Van Meter, IA 6.5
AHSTW Intermediate School Avoca, IA 6.6
Anamosa Middle School Anamosa, IA 6.4
Bunger Middle School Evansdale, IA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pella Middle School

What grades does Pella Middle School serve?

Pella Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Pella Middle School?

Pella Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 363 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Pella Middle School is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pella Middle School rank in IA?

Pella Middle School is ranked #605 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Pella Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pella Middle School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Pella Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pella Middle School has 90.1% math proficiency and 88.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pella Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Pella Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

17.6% of students at Pella 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 (1,060/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
363
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
17.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Marion County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pella Comm School District
District Enrollment
2,476
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,217
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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.