Average
#623 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 49% in state
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
6.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
1,106
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
6.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#623 of 1,280
In Pleasant Hill
#2 of 4
public schools
In district
#7 of 11
Southeast Polk Comm School District
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Excellent
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Southeast Polk Junior High
Middle School in Pleasant Hill · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Spring Creek - 6th Grade
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Southeast Polk High School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southeast Polk Junior High
Southeast Polk Junior High is a public middle school in Pleasant Hill, IA, part of Southeast Polk Comm School District. Southeast Polk Junior High serves approximately 1,106 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 17:1 student-teacher ratio. Southeast Polk Junior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #623 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Southeast Polk Junior High show 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.6 · Average
- District avg 6.5
- IA avg 6.7
What Parents Should Know
Southeast Polk Junior High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southeast Polk Junior High — Students at Southeast Polk Junior High score 74% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).
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 33 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: 9.0/10.
How Southeast Polk Junior High Compares
See how Southeast Polk Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 6.8/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Bondurant), with a very similar rating. Another option is Spring Creek - 6th Grade (rated 6.4/10, 0.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Hoyt Middle School (rated 3.6/10, 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 | 6.4 |
| Southeast Polk High School Pleasant Hill | 0.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Clay Elementary Altoona | 2.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Four Mile Elementary Pleasant Hill | 2.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Centennial Elementary Altoona | 3.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Altoona Elementary Altoona | 3.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Willowbrook Elementary Altoona | 4.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines | 4.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Delaware Elementary Des Moines | 5.1 mi | 8.9 |
| Hoyt Middle School Des Moines | 5.1 mi | 3.6 |
| Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines | 5.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Morris Elementary Bondurant | 6.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Anderson Elementary School Bondurant | 6.9 mi | 6.0 |
| McKee Elementary School Des Moines | 5.3 mi | 2.6 |
| Bondurant - Farrar Intermediate School Bondurant | 7.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Mitchellville Elementary Mitchellville | 6.2 mi | 9.5 |
| Stowe Elementary School Des Moines | 5.8 mi | 3.4 |
| Runnells Elementary Runnels | 6.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Carlisle Elementary School Carlisle | 7.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Carlisle High School Carlisle | 7.5 mi | 4.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bettendorf Middle School Bettendorf, IA | 6.6 |
| Lenihan Intermediate School Marshalltown, IA | 6.5 |
| Prairie Ridge Middle School Ankeny, IA | 6.4 |
| Indianola Middle School Indianola, IA | 6.3 |
| Gerald W Kirn Middle School Council Bluffs, IA | 6.9 |
| Summit Middle School Johnston, IA | 6.9 |
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 ranks #623 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Southeast Polk Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?
Southeast Polk Junior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 Southeast Polk Junior High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southeast Polk Junior High has 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 26.4%
- Phone
- (515) 967-5509
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
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