Average
#839 of 1,280 schools in IA
Spencer Middle School
Middle School · Spencer Comm School District
PO BOX 200 1400 10th Avenue East, Spencer, IA 51301
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Spencer
#2 of 5
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#176 of 248
In district
#2 of 5
Spencer Comm School District
Academic performance
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Spencer Middle School
Spencer Middle School is a regular public school located in Spencer, Iowa, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 502 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1, the school provides ample opportunities for individualized attention. The dedicated teaching staff includes 30 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support each student’s academic journey.
Spencer Middle School focuses on strong performance in core subjects like ELA/Reading, where 78% of students are proficient or above; Math, with 81% proficiency; and Science, where the rate stands at 73%. While these numbers show solid progress, there is always room for further academic growth. The school’s setting is rural yet close to town, offering a peaceful learning environment while still providing access to community resources.
Spencer Middle School serves as an integral part of the local education system in Clay County, fostering student development and community engagement.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Spencer Middle School 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
View breakdown
View breakdown
Spencer Middle School — Students at Spencer Middle School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.2%
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
→ 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: 5.8/10.
How Spencer Middle School Compares
See how Spencer Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 83% (2019) to 73% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 79% (2019) to 72% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 200 1400 10th Avenue East, Spencer, IA 51301
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Spencer Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Okoboji Middle School (rated 7.8/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Milford), which scores notably higher. Another option is Spirit Lake Middle School (rated 6.3/10, 18.1 miles away, in nearby Spirit Lake), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Sioux Central Middle School (rated 5.9/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Sioux Rapids), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Spencer, see our Spencer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 22.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| IOWA GREAT LAKES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Spencer | 0.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Fairview Park Elementary Spencer | 0.4 mi | 3.9 |
| Spencer High School Spencer | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Spencer | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Johnson Elementary Spencer | 1.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Spencer | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Okoboji Elementary School Milford | 11.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Okoboji Middle School Milford | 11.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Okoboji High School Milford | 12.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Clay Central-Everly Elementary Royal | 10.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Graettinger-Terril Elementary School Terril | 13.1 mi | 9.1 |
| Ruthven-Ayrshire Elementary School Ruthven | 11.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Ruthven-Ayrshire High School Ruthven | 11.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Spirit Lake Elementary School Spirit Lake | 18.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Spirit Lake Middle School Spirit Lake | 18.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Spirit Lake High School Spirit Lake | 18.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Sioux Central Middle School Sioux Rapids | 19.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Sioux Central Elementary School Sioux Rapids | 19.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Sioux Central High School Sioux Rapids | 19.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Harris-Lake Park High School Lake Park | 22.5 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,175
Median Home Value
$180,400
Median Rent
$796/mo
Population
12,402
College Educated
27.5%
Homeownership
69.5%
Avg Commute
17.3 min
Poverty Rate
13%
Median Age
41.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Spencer Middle School has a median household income of $61,175. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $180,400, with a median rent of $796/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Southeast Valley Middle School Burnside, IA | 5.9 |
| Jefferson Intermediate Pella, IA | 6.0 |
| Meredith Middle School Des Moines, IA | 6.0 |
| Merrill Middle School Des Moines, IA | 6.0 |
| Taft Middle School Cedar Rapids, IA | 6.0 |
| Cherokee Middle School Cherokee, IA | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Spencer Middle School
What grades does Spencer Middle School serve?
Spencer Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Spencer Middle School?
Spencer Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 502 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Spencer Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Spencer Middle School is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Spencer Middle School rank in IA?
Spencer Middle School is ranked #839 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Spencer Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Spencer Middle School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Spencer Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Spencer Middle School has 81.0% math proficiency and 78.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Spencer Middle School a charter school?
No, Spencer Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Spencer Middle School a Title I school?
No, Spencer Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Spencer Middle School?
40.2% of students at Spencer 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 (1,052/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Spencer). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 502
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Clay County
- Phone
- (712) 262-3345
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Spencer Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 2,267
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,081
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
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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