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Very Good

#291 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 23% in state

South Hardin Middle School

Middle School · Hubbard-Radcliffe Comm School District

PO BOX 129 200 E. Chestnut, Hubbard, IA 50122

Enrollment

194

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

7.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa middle schools

#51 of 248

In district

#2 of 2

Hubbard-Radcliffe Comm School District

Equity

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About South Hardin Middle School

South Hardin Middle School is a regular public middle school serving students in grades six through eight. Located in the rural town of Hubbard, Iowa, in Hardin County, the school has an enrollment of 194 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1, with 14 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their education. South Hardin Middle School’s academic performance is noteworthy, with 68% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 71% proficient or above in Math, and 62% proficient or above in Science.

The school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 6.4 out of 10, placing it at the 69th percentile among Iowa schools with a state ranking of #396 out of 1288 schools. While there is room for academic growth, South Hardin Middle School focuses on student development and provides a supportive learning environment in its rural setting. The school’s commitment to fostering educational progress amid its tight-knit community makes it a valuable resource for local families.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 194 students, South Hardin 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, South Hardin 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 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.9Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg-0.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.7 pts
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+8.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
Resources & Environment7.3Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,192

South Hardin Middle School — Students at South Hardin Middle School score 72% 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

48.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 71.1%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 67.7%
School
State
76.8%

Based on 13 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
67%
ELA
65%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
66%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
73.6%
ELA
67.8%

* 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: 7.0/10.

How South Hardin Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
77th percentile in IA
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
7.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

PO BOX 129 200 E. Chestnut, Hubbard, IA 50122

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Hardin Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Nevada Middle School (rated 8.2/10, 20.8 miles away, in nearby Nevada), which scores slightly higher. Another option is BCLUW Middle School (rated 7.7/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Union), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Roland-Story Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Roland), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Hubbard, see our Hubbard schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Hubbard-Radcliffe Elementary School Radcliffe 7.1 mi 7.6
Colo-Nesco Elementary School Zearing 9.6 mi 6.0
South Hardin High School Eldora 10.0 mi 7.9
Eldora-New Providence Elementary School Eldora 11.1 mi 7.3
Pineview Elementary Iowa Falls 15.0 mi 4.6
Riverbend Middle School Iowa Falls 15.3 mi 6.4
Alden Elementary School Alden 15.3 mi 7.4
Rock Run Elementary Iowa Falls 15.7 mi 8.1
Iowa Falls - Alden High School Iowa Falls 16.0 mi 5.5
BCLUW Middle School Union 12.4 mi 7.7
Choice Charter School Union 12.5 mi
Roland-Story Middle School Roland 14.1 mi 7.5
Colo-NESCO Middle/High School Colo 20.3 mi 6.6
West Marshall Middle School State Center 20.7 mi 7.2
West Marshall High School State Center 20.7 mi 4.0
Roland-Story Elementary School Story City 16.8 mi 6.4
Roland-Story High School Story City 16.9 mi 5.2
Nevada Middle School Nevada 20.8 mi 8.2
Nevada High School Nevada 20.9 mi 3.8
West Marshall Elementary School State Center 21.1 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50122 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,810

Median Home Value

$110,100

Median Rent

$688/mo

Population

1,348

College Educated

29.9%

Homeownership

86%

Avg Commute

26.4 min

Poverty Rate

5.4%

Median Age

46.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Hardin Middle School has a median household income of $83,810. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $110,100, with a median rent of $688/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Middle School Garner, IA 7.4
PCM Middle School Prairie City, IA 7.4
West Hancock Middle School Kanawha, IA 7.4
MATER DEI SCHOOL NATIVITY CENTER Sioux City, IA 7.3
Madrid Junior High School Madrid, IA 7.3
West Central Valley Middle School Redfield, IA 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Hardin Middle School

What grades does South Hardin Middle School serve?

South Hardin Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend South Hardin Middle School?

South Hardin Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 194 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Hardin Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at South Hardin Middle School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Hardin Middle School rank in IA?

South Hardin Middle School is ranked #291 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is South Hardin Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Hardin 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 South Hardin Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Hardin Middle School has 71.1% math proficiency and 67.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Hardin Middle School a charter school?

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

Is South Hardin Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

48.5% of students at South Hardin 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

Walk Score
38 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (436/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
194
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Hardin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Hubbard-Radcliffe Comm School District
District Enrollment
387
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,955
District Rank
#2 of 2

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 methodology

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