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Very Good

#306 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 24% in state

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

7.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#306 of 1,280

In Spencer

#2 of 5

public schools

In district

#2 of 5

Spencer Comm School District

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Spencer Middle School

7.8/10

Middle School in Spencer · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School

6.2/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Fairview Park Elementary

4.4/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Spencer Middle School

Spencer Middle School is a public middle school in Spencer, IA, part of Spencer Comm School District. Spencer Middle School serves approximately 502 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Spencer Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #306 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Spencer Middle School show 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts above IA schools
  • This school 7.8 · Very Good
  • IA avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

Spencer 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change+0.14 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency84.3% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency80.7% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+11.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7 pts
Overall Proficiency83% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)73% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+9.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
Resources & Environment3.9Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,081
Chronic Absenteeism22.5%

Spencer Middle School — Students at Spencer Middle School score 83% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 80.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.4% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 77.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
76.8% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
81%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
78%
ELA
79%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
71%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
79%
ELA
75%
2015
Math
85%
ELA
80%
2016
Math
87%
ELA
80%
2017
Math
84%
ELA
78%
2018
Math
83%
ELA
79%
2019
Math
83%
ELA
79%
2020*
Math
77%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
73%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
84.3%
ELA
80.7%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Spencer Middle School Compares

See how Spencer Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
76th percentile in IA
Academic
8.9/10
Excellent
Growth
9.3/10
Excellent
Environment
3.9/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.5%

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 7.5/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Milford), with a very similar rating. Another option is Sioux Central Middle School (rated 6.6/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Sioux Rapids), a more accessible option. Additionally, Spirit Lake Middle School (rated 6.5/10, 18.1 miles away, in nearby Spirit Lake), a more accessible option. 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 4.4
Spencer High School Spencer 0.9 mi 6.4
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Spencer 1.2 mi 6.8
Johnson Elementary Spencer 1.4 mi 7.9
Lincoln Elementary School Spencer 1.8 mi 5.8
Okoboji Elementary School Milford 11.8 mi 6.6
Okoboji Middle School Milford 11.8 mi 7.5
Okoboji High School Milford 12.0 mi 4.1
Clay Central-Everly Elementary Royal 10.1 mi 5.1
Graettinger-Terril Elementary School Terril 13.1 mi 6.9
Ruthven-Ayrshire Elementary School Ruthven 11.5 mi 3.4
Ruthven-Ayrshire High School Ruthven 11.5 mi 5.3
Spirit Lake Elementary School Spirit Lake 18.1 mi 7.5
Spirit Lake Middle School Spirit Lake 18.1 mi 6.5
Spirit Lake High School Spirit Lake 18.3 mi 5.1
Sioux Central Middle School Sioux Rapids 19.2 mi 6.6
Sioux Central Elementary School Sioux Rapids 19.2 mi 7.3
Sioux Central High School Sioux Rapids 19.2 mi 6.3
Harris-Lake Park High School Lake Park 22.5 mi 8.1

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ADM Middle School Adel, IA 7.8
Algona Middle School Algona, IA 7.8
Boulder Peak Intermediate School Marion, IA 7.8
Le Mars Middle School Le Mars, IA 7.8
Perry Middle School Perry, IA 7.8
Jefferson Intermediate Pella, IA 7.7

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 ranks #306 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Spencer Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Spencer Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 Spencer Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Spencer Middle School has 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.5%

District

Spencer Comm School District
District Enrollment
2,267
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,081
District Rank
#2 of 5

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