Below Average
#1127 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
4.7
Grades
6th – 7th
Enrollment
913
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
4.7
Grades
6th – 7th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waukee
#10 of 11
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#225 of 248
In district
#16 of 17
Waukee Comm School District
Academic performance
7.4 / 10
Strong
About South Middle School
South Middle School serves 913 students in grades 6 and 7 in Waukee, Iowa, offering a focused middle school experience with a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1 among its 62 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, ranking in the 71st percentile statewide at #380 out of 1,288 Iowa schools, with particularly strong results in both English Language Arts and Math where 77% and 76% of students respectively score proficient or above. With a MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and an academic score of 7.5, South Middle School provides a stable educational foundation during these crucial transitional years.
The school's concentrated focus on just two grade levels allows for targeted programming that addresses the unique developmental needs of middle school students. The school serves an affluent community in the 50263 ZIP code, where the median household income reaches $107,288 and nearly 59% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The low poverty rate of 5.8% and median home values of $309,900 reflect the area's economic stability.
South Middle School is situated in a large suburban setting that provides families with the benefits of both educational resources and community amenities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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South Middle School — Students at South Middle School score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 76%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
25.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.0/10.
How South Middle School Compares
See how South Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 84% (2019) to 76% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 84% (2019) to 77% (2022).
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. Northwest High School (rated 7.2/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Waukee Middle School (rated 7.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Webster Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 5.0 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 | 6.3 |
| Waukee High School Waukee | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Prairieview School Waukee | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Waukee Middle School Waukee | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Maple Grove Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Vince Meyer Early Learning Center Waukee | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Waukee Elementary School Waukee | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Sugar Creek Elementary School Waukee | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Eason Elementary School Waukee | 2.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Grant Ragan Elementary School Waukee | 2.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Northwest High School Waukee | 2.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Woodland Hills Elementary School West Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Shuler Elementary School Clive | 3.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Brookview Elementary School West Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Walnut Hills Elementary School Urbandale | 3.8 mi | 6.6 |
| ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL West Des Moines | 3.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Radiant Elementary School Urbandale | 4.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Westridge Elementary West Des Moines | 4.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Webster Elementary School Urbandale | 5.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Crossroads Park Elementary School West Des Moines | 4.8 mi | 6.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Middle School has a median household income of $107,864. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $332,500, with a median rent of $1,296/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% 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 |
|---|---|
| Fort Madison Middle School Fort Madison, IA | 4.9 |
| Urbandale Middle School Urbandale, IA | 4.9 |
| Evans Middle School Ottumwa, IA | 4.4 |
| Southeast Polk Junior High Pleasant Hill, IA | 5.2 |
| Weeks Middle School Des Moines, IA | 4.2 |
| Berg Middle School Newton, IA | 4.0 |
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 is ranked #1127 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is South Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Middle School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 South Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Middle School has 74.0% math proficiency and 76.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (797/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waukee). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (515) 987-3222
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Waukee Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 13,600
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,927
- District Rank
- #16 of 17
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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