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Average

#638 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 50% in state

Riverbend Middle School

Middle School · Iowa Falls Comm School District

1124 Union St., Iowa Falls, IA 50126

Enrollment

284

Student-Teacher

16.7:1

Score

6.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Iowa Falls

#2 of 4

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#142 of 248

In district

#2 of 4

Iowa Falls Comm School District

Academic growth

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Riverbend Middle School

Riverbend Middle School is a regular public school located in Iowa Falls, Hardin County. Situated at 1124 Union Street, the school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 284 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1. The dedicated teaching staff consists of 17 full-time equivalent teachers.

Riverbend Middle School currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10, placing it at the 38th percentile among Iowa's schools with a state ranking of #794 out of 1288 schools. Academically, students perform well in ELA and reading with 78% reaching proficiency or above, while math scores stand at 70%, and science proficiency is 80%. Riverbend Middle School is located in a remote town setting, offering students a close-knit community atmosphere.

Despite the challenges of being in a less populated area, Riverbend focuses on student development and continuous academic improvement to ensure its students have every opportunity for success.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.3Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58%
Reading/ELA Proficiency75%
Math vs. State Avg-14.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.3 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
Resources & Environment3.5Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,803

Riverbend Middle School — Students at Riverbend Middle School score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 69.8%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 77.8%
School
State
76.8%

Based on 13 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
72%
ELA
74%
2021*
Math
56%
ELA
65%
2022
Math
58%
ELA
75%
2025
Math
77.6%
ELA
84.2%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Riverbend Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
50th percentile in IA
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
3.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

1124 Union St., Iowa Falls, IA 50126

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Riverbend Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. BCLUW Middle School (rated 7.7/10, 22.0 miles away, in nearby Union), which scores notably higher. Another option is South Hardin Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Hubbard), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Hampton-Dumont Middle School (rated 6.6/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Hampton), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Iowa Falls, see our Iowa Falls schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Rock Run Elementary Iowa Falls 0.4 mi 8.1
Pineview Elementary Iowa Falls 0.4 mi 4.6
Iowa Falls - Alden High School Iowa Falls 0.7 mi 5.5
Alden Elementary School Alden 5.2 mi 7.4
The Cougars Den Ackley 11.4 mi 7.6
South Hardin Middle School Hubbard 15.3 mi 7.4
South Side Elementary School Hampton 15.1 mi 5.6
AGWSR Elementary School Ackley 11.5 mi 5.3
AGWSR High School Ackley 11.5 mi 7.8
South Hardin High School Eldora 14.1 mi 7.9
North Side Elementary School Hampton 16.1 mi 6.4
Hampton-Dumont High School Hampton 16.1 mi 5.6
Hampton-Dumont Middle School Hampton 16.1 mi 6.6
Eldora-New Providence Elementary School Eldora 14.4 mi 7.3
CAL Elementary School Latimer 16.4 mi 8.9
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Latimer 17.3 mi 6.5
Hubbard-Radcliffe Elementary School Radcliffe 16.6 mi 7.6
TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wellsburg 16.9 mi 5.6
Choice Charter School Union 21.9 mi
BCLUW Middle School Union 22.0 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50126 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,711

Median Home Value

$118,100

Median Rent

$904/mo

Population

6,362

College Educated

22.1%

Homeownership

66.1%

Avg Commute

18.9 min

Poverty Rate

6.2%

Median Age

43.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Riverbend Middle School has a median household income of $61,711. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $118,100, with a median rent of $904/month. The local poverty rate of 6.2% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Anamosa Middle School Anamosa, IA 6.4
Odebolt Arthur Battle Creek Ida Grove Middle School Odebolt, IA 6.4
Tipton Middle School Tipton, IA 6.4
Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School Vinton, IA 6.4
Walcott Intermediate Walcott, IA 6.4
Pella Middle School Pella, IA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Riverbend Middle School

What grades does Riverbend Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Riverbend Middle School?

Riverbend Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 284 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Riverbend Middle School is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Riverbend Middle School rank in IA?

Riverbend Middle School is ranked #638 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Riverbend Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Riverbend Middle School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Riverbend Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Riverbend Middle School has 69.8% math proficiency and 77.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Riverbend Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Riverbend Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

47.5% of students at Riverbend 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
High (1,769/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
284
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Hardin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Iowa Falls Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,279
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,825
District Rank
#2 of 4

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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