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Average

#745 of 1,280 schools in IA

South Middle School

Middle School · Waukee Comm School District

2350 SE LA Grant Parkway, Waukee, IA 50263

Enrollment

913

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

6.1

Grades

6th – 7th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#745 of 1,280

In Waukee

#4 of 11

public schools

In district

#10 of 17

Waukee Comm School District

Academic performance

7.0 / 10

Very Good

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South Middle School

6.1/10

Middle School in Waukee · grades 6th – 7th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Timberline School

4.3/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Waukee High School

4.6/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About South Middle School

South Middle School is a public middle school in Waukee, IA, part of Waukee Comm School District. South Middle School serves approximately 913 students, and covers grades 6th-7th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. South Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #745 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for South Middle School show 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).

How it compares1.2 pts below district
  • This school 6.1 · Average
  • District avg 7.3
  • IA avg 6.7

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.2Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.72 pts/yr
Data Period2010–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.0Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75.9% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency82.9% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+3.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.2 pts
Overall Proficiency79% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)81% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-1.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,927
Chronic Absenteeism22.3%

South Middle School — Students at South Middle School score 79% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 81%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

25.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 83.6% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
School
State
73.4% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 82.8% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
School
State
76.8% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 33 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2010
Math
89%
ELA
86%
2011
Math
88%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
88%
ELA
81%
2013
Math
89%
ELA
85%
2014
Math
89%
ELA
89%
2015
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2016
Math
90%
ELA
85%
2017
Math
85%
ELA
81%
2018
Math
84%
ELA
84%
2019
Math
84%
ELA
84%
2020*
Math
78%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
78%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
76%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
75.9%
ELA
82.9%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How South Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
42th percentile in IA
Academic
7.0/10
Very Good
Growth
6.2/10
Average
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
62 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2350 SE LA Grant Parkway, Waukee, IA 50263

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Waukee Middle School (rated 8.5/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Waukee Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Walnut Hills Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Waukee, see our Waukee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Timberline School Waukee 0.3 mi 4.3
Waukee High School Waukee 1.0 mi 4.6
Prairieview School Waukee 1.0 mi 4.9
Waukee Middle School Waukee 1.3 mi 8.5
Maple Grove Elementary School West Des Moines 1.3 mi 7.5
Vince Meyer Early Learning Center Waukee 1.8 mi 3.4
Waukee Elementary School Waukee 1.8 mi 8.4
Sugar Creek Elementary School Waukee 1.6 mi 6.4
Eason Elementary School Waukee 2.1 mi 5.8
Grant Ragan Elementary School Waukee 2.6 mi 4.9
Northwest High School Waukee 2.9 mi 5.5
Woodland Hills Elementary School West Des Moines 2.9 mi 7.2
Shuler Elementary School Clive 3.0 mi 7.8
Brookview Elementary School West Des Moines 2.6 mi 7.4
Walnut Hills Elementary School Urbandale 3.8 mi 8.2
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL West Des Moines 3.1 mi 4.3
Radiant Elementary School Urbandale 4.5 mi 7.8
Westridge Elementary West Des Moines 4.4 mi 6.2
Webster Elementary School Urbandale 5.0 mi 7.4
Crossroads Park Elementary School West Des Moines 4.8 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50263 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$107,864

Median Home Value

$332,500

Median Rent

$1,296/mo

Population

27,560

College Educated

57.3%

Homeownership

70%

Avg Commute

19.4 min

Poverty Rate

7.2%

Median Age

34.4

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
George Washington Middle School Dubuque, IA 6.1
Holmes Junior High School Cedar Falls, IA 6.1
Norwalk Middle School Norwalk, IA 6.1
Urbandale Middle School Urbandale, IA 6.1
West Middle School Sioux City, IA 6.0
Harding Middle School Cedar Rapids, IA 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Middle School

What grades does South Middle School serve?

South Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 7th.

How many students attend South Middle School?

South Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 913 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at South Middle School is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Middle School rank in IA?

South Middle School ranks #745 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is South Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at South Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Middle School has 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).

Is South Middle School a charter school?

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

Is South Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

25.8% of students at South 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
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 7th
Enrollment
913
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
62
Free/Reduced Lunch
25.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Dallas County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.3%

District

Waukee Comm School District
District Enrollment
13,600
Schools in District
18
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,927
District Rank
#10 of 17

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