Average
#1028 of 1,280 schools in IA
Southeast Polk Junior High
Middle School · Southeast Polk Comm School District
8325 NE University Ave., Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
Enrollment
1,106
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
5.2
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
1,106
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
5.2
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pleasant Hill
#2 of 4
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#209 of 248
In district
#7 of 11
Southeast Polk Comm School District
Equity
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Southeast Polk Junior High
Southeast Polk Junior High serves 1,106 students in grades 7-8 in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, operating with a 17:1 student-teacher ratio and 65 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a solid 6.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks in the 62nd percentile statewide at #491 out of 1,288 Iowa schools. Academically, Southeast Polk Junior High shows strong performance with 80% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 73% meet or exceed proficiency standards in Mathematics.
These results reflect the school's commitment to helping middle school students build essential skills during these crucial transitional years. The school draws from a stable community where families demonstrate a strong investment in education. The surrounding Pleasant Hill area features a median household income of $89,242 and median home values of $285,100, with 32% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The low poverty rate of 7.7% indicates a financially secure community that supports student success. Located in a rural setting near town, Southeast Polk Junior High benefits from the close-knit feel of a smaller community while still offering the resources and opportunities that come with serving over 1,000 students in this growing Polk County area.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Southeast Polk Junior High 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
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Southeast Polk Junior High — Students at Southeast Polk Junior High score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 11 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 3.6/10.
How Southeast Polk Junior High Compares
See how Southeast Polk Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 79% (2019) to 73% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 77% (2019) to 80% (2022).
Location
8325 NE University Ave., Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southeast Polk Junior High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Bondurant - Farrar Intermediate School (rated 5.4/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Bondurant), with a very similar rating. Another option is Spring Creek - 6th Grade (rated 4.6/10, 0.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Hoyt Middle School (rated 4.0/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), a more accessible option. For more schools in Pleasant Hill, see our Pleasant Hill schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Creek - 6th Grade Pleasant Hill | 0.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Southeast Polk High School Pleasant Hill | 0.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Clay Elementary Altoona | 2.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Four Mile Elementary Pleasant Hill | 2.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Centennial Elementary Altoona | 3.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Altoona Elementary Altoona | 3.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Willowbrook Elementary Altoona | 4.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines | 4.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Delaware Elementary Des Moines | 5.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Hoyt Middle School Des Moines | 5.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines | 5.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Morris Elementary Bondurant | 6.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Anderson Elementary School Bondurant | 6.9 mi | 6.5 |
| McKee Elementary School Des Moines | 5.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Bondurant - Farrar Intermediate School Bondurant | 7.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Mitchellville Elementary Mitchellville | 6.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Stowe Elementary School Des Moines | 5.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Runnells Elementary Runnels | 6.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Carlisle Elementary School Carlisle | 7.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Carlisle High School Carlisle | 7.5 mi | 5.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50327 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,759
Median Home Value
$303,000
Median Rent
$1,219/mo
Population
12,875
College Educated
32.3%
Homeownership
78.6%
Avg Commute
21.3 min
Poverty Rate
8.7%
Median Age
41.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southeast Polk Junior High has a median household income of $90,759. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $303,000, with a median rent of $1,219/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Lenihan Intermediate School Marshalltown, IA | 5.4 |
| Fort Madison Middle School Fort Madison, IA | 4.9 |
| Prairie Ridge Middle School Ankeny, IA | 5.5 |
| Southeast Junior High School Iowa City, IA | 5.5 |
| Summit Middle School Johnston, IA | 5.5 |
| Urbandale Middle School Urbandale, IA | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southeast Polk Junior High
What grades does Southeast Polk Junior High serve?
Southeast Polk Junior High serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Southeast Polk Junior High?
Southeast Polk Junior High has an enrollment of approximately 1,106 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southeast Polk Junior High?
The student-teacher ratio at Southeast Polk Junior High is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southeast Polk Junior High rank in IA?
Southeast Polk Junior High is ranked #1028 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Southeast Polk Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?
Southeast Polk Junior High has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Southeast Polk Junior High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southeast Polk Junior High has 73.5% math proficiency and 76.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southeast Polk Junior High a charter school?
No, Southeast Polk Junior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southeast Polk Junior High a Title I school?
No, Southeast Polk Junior High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southeast Polk Junior High?
38.0% of students at Southeast Polk Junior High 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,106
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 65
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 967-5509
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Southeast Polk Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 7,424
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,583
- District Rank
- #7 of 11
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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