Average
#691 of 1,280 schools in IA
Spirit Lake Middle School
Middle School · Spirit Lake Comm School District
2701 Hill Avenue, Spirit Lake, IA 51360
Enrollment
364
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
6.3
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
364
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
6.3
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Spirit Lake
#2 of 3
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#160 of 248
In district
#2 of 3
Spirit Lake Comm School District
Equity
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Spirit Lake Middle School
Spirit Lake Middle School serves 364 students in grades 5-8 in the remote town of Spirit Lake, Iowa. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1, allowing for personalized attention in the classroom. Academically, Spirit Lake Middle School demonstrates strong performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #249 out of 1,288 Iowa schools, placing it in the 81st percentile statewide.
The school's academic achievements are particularly notable in mathematics, where 86% of students score proficient or above across all grade levels. English Language Arts performance is also solid, with 77% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards. The school serves a community where the median household income is $74,375 and the median home value is $239,300.
About 36% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the local poverty rate is relatively low at 5.7%. The surrounding ZIP code area has a population of 8,533 residents. Located on Hill Avenue in this close-knit Iowa community, Spirit Lake Middle School provides education in a remote town setting where students can benefit from both strong academic programs and the advantages of small-town living.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Spirit Lake Middle School — Students at Spirit Lake Middle School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 77%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
24.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 16 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: 5.6/10.
How Spirit Lake Middle School Compares
See how Spirit Lake Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 82% (2019) to 86% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 75% (2019) to 77% (2022).
Location
2701 Hill Avenue, Spirit Lake, IA 51360
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Spirit Lake Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Estherville Lincoln Central Middle School (rated 7.9/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Estherville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Okoboji Middle School (rated 7.8/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Milford), which scores notably higher. Additionally, JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL MIDDLE (rated 6.4/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Lakefield), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Spirit Lake, see our Spirit Lake schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit Lake Elementary School Spirit Lake | 0.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Spirit Lake High School Spirit Lake | 0.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Okoboji Elementary School Milford | 6.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Okoboji High School Milford | 6.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Okoboji Middle School Milford | 7.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Graettinger-Terril Elementary School Terril | 9.8 mi | 9.1 |
| Harris-Lake Park High School Lake Park | 11.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Harris-Lake Park Elementary School Lake Park | 11.6 mi | 3.4 |
| Jackson County Central Senior High Jackson | 15.5 mi | 5.6 |
| RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY Jackson | 15.6 mi | 6.4 |
| IOWA GREAT LAKES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Spencer | 17.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Spencer Middle School Spencer | 18.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Fairview Park Elementary Spencer | 18.1 mi | 3.9 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Spencer | 18.4 mi | 6.8 |
| PLEASANTVIEW ELEMENTARY Lakefield | 18.4 mi | 6.6 |
| JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL MIDDLE Lakefield | 18.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Johnson Elementary Spencer | 18.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Estherville Lincoln Central Middle School Estherville | 13.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Spencer High School Spencer | 19.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Estherville Lincoln Central High School Estherville | 13.9 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51360 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,464
Median Home Value
$256,000
Median Rent
$1,005/mo
Population
8,561
College Educated
34.8%
Homeownership
73.8%
Avg Commute
15.4 min
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Median Age
48.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Spirit Lake Middle School has a median household income of $77,464. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $256,000, with a median rent of $1,005/month. The local poverty rate of 6.9% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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 |
|---|---|
| Denver Middle School Denver, IA | 6.3 |
| Gilbert Middle School Gilbert, IA | 6.3 |
| Harlan Community Middle School Harlan, IA | 6.3 |
| Jesup Middle School Jesup, IA | 6.3 |
| MAZZUCHELLI CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Dubuque, IA | 6.2 |
| Shenandoah Middle School Shenandoah, IA | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Spirit Lake Middle School
What grades does Spirit Lake Middle School serve?
Spirit Lake Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Spirit Lake Middle School?
Spirit Lake Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 364 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Spirit Lake Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Spirit Lake Middle School is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Spirit Lake Middle School rank in IA?
Spirit Lake Middle School is ranked #691 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Spirit Lake Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Spirit Lake Middle School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Spirit Lake Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Spirit Lake Middle School has 79.2% math proficiency and 77.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Spirit Lake Middle School a charter school?
No, Spirit Lake Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Spirit Lake Middle School a Title I school?
No, Spirit Lake Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Spirit Lake Middle School?
24.2% of students at Spirit Lake 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,746/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Spirit Lake). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 364
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 24.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Dickinson County
- Phone
- (712) 336-1370
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Spirit Lake Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,328
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,816
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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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