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Below Average

#1146 of 1,280 schools in IA

Spring Creek - 6th Grade

Middle School · Southeast Polk Comm School District

8031 NE University Ave., Pleasant Hill, IA 50327

Enrollment

544

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

4.6

Grades

6th – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pleasant Hill

#4 of 4

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#229 of 248

In district

#11 of 11

Southeast Polk Comm School District

Academic performance

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Spring Creek - 6th Grade

Spring Creek - 6th Grade is a regular public middle school in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, located near the town of Polk County. The school serves 544 students and has a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1, with 33 full-time equivalent teachers. Spring Creek focuses on providing a supportive learning environment for its sixth-grade students.

The academic performance at Spring Creek is solid but shows room for growth, as reflected by the school's MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and state ranking of #684 out of 1288 schools in Iowa (placing it around the 47th percentile). Students perform particularly well in math, with 80% meeting or exceeding proficiency standards, while 73% are proficient or above in English Language Arts. These scores indicate that Spring Creek places a strong emphasis on student development and offers robust educational support.

Spring Creek - 6th Grade is situated in a rural area, offering students a peaceful setting conducive to learning and community engagement. The school's location provides easy access for families living nearby and contributes to the close-knit feel of the Pleasant Hill community.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Spring Creek - 6th Grade 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 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.35 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.6Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency78%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69%
Overall Proficiency74%
Expected (poverty-adj.)70%
vs. Expected+3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
Resources & Environment3.7Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,914

Spring Creek - 6th Grade — Students at Spring Creek - 6th Grade score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 80.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 73.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
84%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
79%
ELA
78%
2022
Math
78%
ELA
69%

* 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: 2.6/10.

How Spring Creek - 6th Grade Compares

See how Spring Creek - 6th Grade performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
11th percentile in IA
Academic
7.6/10
7.6/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
3.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

8031 NE University Ave., Pleasant Hill, IA 50327

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Spring Creek - 6th Grade may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Bondurant - Farrar Intermediate School (rated 5.4/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Bondurant), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Southeast Polk Junior High (rated 5.2/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Hoyt Middle School (rated 4.0/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Pleasant Hill, see our Pleasant Hill schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Southeast Polk Junior High Pleasant Hill 0.2 mi 5.2
Southeast Polk High School Pleasant Hill 0.2 mi 5.1
Clay Elementary Altoona 2.1 mi 4.9
Four Mile Elementary Pleasant Hill 2.1 mi 6.0
Centennial Elementary Altoona 3.1 mi 6.7
Altoona Elementary Altoona 3.6 mi 6.8
Willowbrook Elementary Altoona 4.1 mi 4.8
Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines 4.1 mi 5.4
Delaware Elementary Des Moines 5.0 mi 6.2
Hoyt Middle School Des Moines 4.9 mi 4.0
Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines 4.9 mi 4.9
McKee Elementary School Des Moines 5.1 mi 5.1
Morris Elementary Bondurant 6.7 mi 5.3
Anderson Elementary School Bondurant 6.9 mi 6.5
Bondurant - Farrar Intermediate School Bondurant 7.0 mi 5.4
Mitchellville Elementary Mitchellville 6.4 mi 6.4
Stowe Elementary School Des Moines 5.6 mi 4.6
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines 5.7 mi 5.0
Carlisle Elementary School Carlisle 7.4 mi 6.9
Carlisle High School Carlisle 7.4 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50327 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$90,759

Median Home Value

$303,000

Median Rent

$1,219/mo

Population

12,875

College Educated

32.3%

Homeownership

78.6%

Avg Commute

21.3 min

Poverty Rate

8.7%

Median Age

41.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Spring Creek - 6th Grade has a median household income of $90,759. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $303,000, with a median rent of $1,219/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Davis County Middle School Bloomfield, IA 4.6
Glenwood Middle School Glenwood, IA 4.6
Edward Stone Middle School Burlington, IA 4.5
Maquoketa Middle School Maquoketa, IA 4.7
Wilson Middle School Cedar Rapids, IA 4.7
Evans Middle School Ottumwa, IA 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Spring Creek - 6th Grade

What grades does Spring Creek - 6th Grade serve?

Spring Creek - 6th Grade serves students in grades 6th through 6th.

How many students attend Spring Creek - 6th Grade?

Spring Creek - 6th Grade has an enrollment of approximately 544 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Spring Creek - 6th Grade?

The student-teacher ratio at Spring Creek - 6th Grade is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Spring Creek - 6th Grade rank in IA?

Spring Creek - 6th Grade is ranked #1146 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Spring Creek - 6th Grade's MySchoolScout rating?

Spring Creek - 6th Grade has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Spring Creek - 6th Grade?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Spring Creek - 6th Grade has 80.3% math proficiency and 73.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Spring Creek - 6th Grade a charter school?

No, Spring Creek - 6th Grade is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Spring Creek - 6th Grade a Title I school?

No, Spring Creek - 6th Grade is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Spring Creek - 6th Grade?

37.7% of students at Spring Creek - 6th Grade 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

County Safety
Low (132/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 6th
Enrollment
544
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Southeast Polk Comm School District
District Enrollment
7,424
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,583
District Rank
#11 of 11

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 methodology

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