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Average

#643 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

6.5

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#643 of 1,280

In Spirit Lake

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

Spirit Lake Comm School District

Academic growth

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Spirit Lake Middle School

6.5/10

Middle School in Spirit Lake · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Spirit Lake Elementary School

7.5/10

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

Spirit Lake High School

5.1/10

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

About Spirit Lake Middle School

Spirit Lake Middle School is a public middle school in Spirit Lake, IA, part of Spirit Lake Comm School District. Spirit Lake Middle School serves approximately 364 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Spirit Lake Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #643 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Spirit Lake Middle School show 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with IA schools
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • IA avg 6.7

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.45 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.7Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency79.1% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency78.5% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+7.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.8 pts
Overall Proficiency79% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)81% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-2.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,816
Chronic Absenteeism16.2%

Spirit Lake Middle School — Students at Spirit Lake Middle School score 79% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 81%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 82.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.1% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 78.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.3% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 38 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
85%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
85%
ELA
80%
2012
Math
83%
ELA
80%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
89%
ELA
80%
2015
Math
87%
ELA
80%
2016
Math
88%
ELA
83%
2017
Math
86%
ELA
79%
2018
Math
82%
ELA
75%
2019
Math
82%
ELA
75%
2020*
Math
70%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
70%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
86%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
79.1%
ELA
78.5%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How Spirit Lake Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
50th percentile in IA
Academic
6.7/10
Average
Growth
7.4/10
Very Good
Environment
4.6/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.1/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Estherville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Spencer Middle School (rated 7.8/10, 18.1 miles away, in nearby Spencer), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Okoboji Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Milford), which scores slightly higher. 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 7.5
Spirit Lake High School Spirit Lake 0.2 mi 5.1
Okoboji Elementary School Milford 6.9 mi 6.6
Okoboji High School Milford 6.9 mi 4.1
Okoboji Middle School Milford 7.1 mi 7.5
Graettinger-Terril Elementary School Terril 9.8 mi 6.9
Harris-Lake Park High School Lake Park 11.4 mi 8.1
Harris-Lake Park Elementary School Lake Park 11.6 mi 3.4
Jackson County Central Senior High Jackson 15.5 mi 6.1
RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY Jackson 15.6 mi 6.0
IOWA GREAT LAKES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Spencer 17.8 mi 6.2
Spencer Middle School Spencer 18.1 mi 7.8
Fairview Park Elementary Spencer 18.1 mi 4.4
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Spencer 18.4 mi 6.8
PLEASANTVIEW ELEMENTARY Lakefield 18.4 mi 4.9
JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL MIDDLE Lakefield 18.4 mi 5.7
Johnson Elementary Spencer 18.7 mi 7.9
Estherville Lincoln Central Middle School Estherville 13.8 mi 8.1
Spencer High School Spencer 19.0 mi 6.4
Estherville Lincoln Central High School Estherville 13.9 mi 4.6

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Tipton Middle School Tipton, IA 6.5
Interstate 35 Middle School Truro, IA 6.4
Lincoln Intermediate Mason City, IA 6.6
Mid-Prairie Middle School Kalona, IA 6.6
Norway Elementary School Norway, IA 6.6
Sumner-Fredericksburg Middle School Fredericksburg, IA 6.4

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 ranks #643 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Spirit Lake Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Spirit Lake Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Spirit Lake Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Spirit Lake Middle School has 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
26 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.2%

District

Spirit Lake Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,328
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,816
District Rank
#2 of 3

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