Average
#525 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 41% in state
Pierson Middle School
Middle School · Kingsley-Pierson Comm School District
321 4th St, Pierson, IA 51048
Enrollment
133
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
6.7
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
133
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
6.7
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa middle schools
#105 of 248
In district
#2 of 3
Kingsley-Pierson Comm School District
Academic growth
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Pierson Middle School
Pierson Middle School is a regular public school located in the rural community of Pierson, Iowa. Situated at 321 4th St, it serves students from grades 5 through 8. With an enrollment of 133 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1, Pierson Middle School offers personalized attention to help each student succeed academically.
The school has nine full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support the academic needs of their middle schoolers. According to MySchoolScout ratings, Pierson Middle School scores a 5.3 out of 10 overall and ranks 47th percentile in Iowa among 1288 schools. In terms of subject proficiency, 79% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 74% in Math, and 81% in Science.
While the school has room for improvement, it continues to focus on student development and strives to meet the needs of its community. Pierson Middle School is embedded within a tight-knit rural setting where students are part of a close-knit educational environment that fosters growth and learning.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 133 students, Pierson Middle School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Pierson 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
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Pierson Middle School — Students at Pierson Middle School score 67% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 16 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: 8.1/10.
How Pierson Middle School Compares
See how Pierson Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 72% (2019) to 72% (2022).
Location
321 4th St, Pierson, IA 51048
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pierson Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. MVAO Middle School (rated 8.3/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Anthon), which scores notably higher. Another option is Remsen-Union Middle School (rated 7.2/10, 18.7 miles away, in nearby Remsen), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Woodbury Central Middle School (rated 6.5/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Moville), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Pierson, see our Pierson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| River Valley Junior- Senior High School Correctionville | 6.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Kingsley Elementary School Kingsley | 6.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Kingsley-Pierson High School Kingsley | 6.2 mi | 5.8 |
| River Valley Elementary Washta | 7.8 mi | 7.1 |
| MVAO Middle School Anthon | 11.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Anthon Elementary Anthon | 11.3 mi | 8.5 |
| Moville Elementary School Moville | 11.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Woodbury Central Middle School Moville | 11.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Woodbury Central High School Moville | 11.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Remsen-Union Elementary School Remsen | 18.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Remsen-Union Middle School Remsen | 18.7 mi | 7.2 |
| MMCRU High School Marcus | 19.0 mi | 6.1 |
| MMCRU Marcus Elementary Marcus | 19.0 mi | 8.5 |
| ST MARY'S SCHOOL Remsen | 18.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Lawton-Bronson Junior-Senior High School Lawton | 16.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Galva-Holstein Elementary School Holstein | 17.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Ridge View High School Holstein | 17.4 mi | 5.0 |
| DANBURY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Danbury | 22.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Bronson Elementary School Bronson | 20.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Kluckhohn Elementary School Le Mars | 21.8 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51048 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$80,000
Median Home Value
$105,400
Median Rent
$716/mo
Population
465
College Educated
24.3%
Homeownership
76.5%
Poverty Rate
8%
Median Age
32.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pierson Middle School has a median household income of $80,000. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $105,400, with a median rent of $716/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| AGWSR Middle School Wellsburg, IA | 6.7 |
| Columbus Community Junior High School Columbus Junction, IA | 6.7 |
| Lynnville-Sully Middle School Sully, IA | 6.7 |
| Nodaway Valley Middle School Fontanelle, IA | 6.7 |
| Missouri Valley Middle School Missouri Valley, IA | 6.8 |
| North-Linn Middle School Troy Mills, IA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pierson Middle School
What grades does Pierson Middle School serve?
Pierson Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Pierson Middle School?
Pierson Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 133 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pierson Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Pierson 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 Pierson Middle School rank in IA?
Pierson Middle School is ranked #525 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Pierson Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Pierson Middle School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Pierson Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pierson Middle School has 73.9% math proficiency and 79.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pierson Middle School a charter school?
No, Pierson Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pierson Middle School a Title I school?
No, Pierson Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pierson Middle School?
37.6% of students at Pierson 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (92/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 133
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 37.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Woodbury County
- Phone
- (712) 375-5939
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kingsley-Pierson Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 438
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,704
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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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