Very Good
#329 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 26% in state
Southwest Valley Middle School
Middle School · Villisca Comm School District
406 East Third Street, Villisca, IA 50864
Enrollment
135
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
7.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
135
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
7.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#329 of 1,280
In Villisca
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#1 of 2
Villisca Comm School District
Academic growth
8.0 / 10
Excellent
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Southwest Valley Middle School
Middle School in Villisca · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Sylvia Enarson Elementary School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Stanton Elementary School
7.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southwest Valley Middle School
Southwest Valley Middle School is a public middle school in Villisca, IA, part of Villisca Comm School District. Southwest Valley Middle School serves approximately 135 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Southwest Valley Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #329 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Southwest Valley Middle School show 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025).
- This school 7.7 · Very Good
- IA avg 6.7
What Parents Should Know
At 135 students, Southwest Valley Middle School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Southwest Valley Middle School 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.
32% of students at Southwest Valley Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southwest Valley Middle School — Students at Southwest Valley Middle School score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 27 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: 8.0/10.
How Southwest Valley Middle School Compares
See how Southwest Valley Middle School 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
406 East Third Street, Villisca, IA 50864
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwest Valley Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. South Page Elementary School (rated 9.9/10, 22.6 miles away, in nearby College Springs), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bedford High School (rated 9.2/10, 22.2 miles away, in nearby Bedford), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Griswold Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 23.0 miles away, in nearby Griswold), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Villisca, see our Villisca schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 25.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sylvia Enarson Elementary School Villisca | 0.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Stanton Elementary School Stanton | 7.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Stanton High School Stanton | 7.6 mi | 7.6 |
| CLARINDA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Clarinda | 13.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Clarinda High School Clarinda | 13.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Garfield Elementary School Clarinda | 14.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Corning Elementary School Corning | 12.9 mi | 8.5 |
| Southwest Valley High school Corning | 13.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Inman Elementary School Red Oak | 14.3 mi | 3.3 |
| Red Oak Junior/Senior High School Red Oak | 14.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Red Oak Early Childhood Center Red Oak | 14.5 mi | 4.9 |
| South Page Elementary School College Springs | 22.6 mi | 9.9 |
| South Page Senior High School College Springs | 22.6 mi | — |
| Essex Elementary School Essex | 18.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Essex Junior-Senior High School Essex | 18.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Griswold Middle/High School Griswold | 23.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Griswold Elementary Griswold | 23.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Bedford High School Bedford | 22.2 mi | 9.2 |
| Bedford Elementary School Bedford | 22.2 mi | 8.6 |
| CAM Elementary School Massena | 25.0 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50864 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,657
Median Home Value
$98,600
Median Rent
$737/mo
Population
1,627
College Educated
14.1%
Homeownership
78.2%
Avg Commute
22.3 min
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Median Age
53.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Madrid Junior High School Madrid, IA | 7.7 |
| Nodaway Valley Middle School Fontanelle, IA | 7.7 |
| Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School Sanborn, IA | 7.8 |
| BLESSED MARIA ASSUNTA PALLOTTA MIDDLE SCHOOL Waterloo, IA | 7.6 |
| Adair-Casey Jr. High School Adair, IA | 7.9 |
| Alburnett Middle School Alburnett, IA | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southwest Valley Middle School
What grades does Southwest Valley Middle School serve?
Southwest Valley Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Southwest Valley Middle School?
Southwest Valley Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 135 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest Valley Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Valley Middle School is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southwest Valley Middle School rank in IA?
Southwest Valley Middle School ranks #329 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Southwest Valley Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest Valley Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 Southwest Valley Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southwest Valley Middle School has 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025).
Is Southwest Valley Middle School a charter school?
No, Southwest Valley Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southwest Valley Middle School a Title I school?
No, Southwest Valley Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest Valley Middle School?
43.7% of students at Southwest Valley 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 135
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 43.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Montgomery County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.9%
- Phone
- (712) 826-2552
Resources & Links
District
Villisca Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 254
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,695
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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