Needs Improvement
#1239 of 1,280 schools in IA
Storm Lake Middle School
Middle School · Storm Lake Comm School District
1811 Hyland Drive, Storm Lake, IA 50588
Enrollment
843
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
3.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
843
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
3.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Storm Lake
#5 of 6
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#244 of 248
In district
#5 of 6
Storm Lake Comm School District
About Storm Lake Middle School
Storm Lake Middle School serves students in grades five through eight in Storm Lake, a remote town in Buena Vista County. The school enrolls 843 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1 with 57 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Storm Lake Middle School is working to strengthen its performance across core subjects.
In English language arts, 53% of students score at proficient levels or above, while mathematics proficiency stands at 49%. Science shows an area of particular focus, with 37% of students meeting proficiency benchmarks. The school's academic performance reflects room for growth, and the school is part of Iowa's broader educational landscape where different communities face distinct challenges and opportunities.
The middle school's setting in a remote Iowa community shapes its identity. Located at 1811 Hyland Drive, Storm Lake Middle School serves as an educational anchor for the region, providing middle grades education to students during a critical developmental period. The school's size and staffing levels offer opportunities for meaningful student-teacher relationships that can support academic and personal growth.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Storm Lake Middle School — Students at Storm Lake Middle School score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.8%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.5/10.
How Storm Lake Middle School Compares
See how Storm Lake Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 44% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 53% (2022).
Location
1811 Hyland Drive, Storm Lake, IA 50588
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Storm Lake Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Alta-Aurelia Middle School (rated 7.8/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Aurelia), which scores notably higher. Another option is Schaller-Crestland Ridge View Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Schaller), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sioux Central Middle School (rated 5.9/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Sioux Rapids), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Storm Lake, see our Storm Lake schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.5 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50588 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,475
Median Home Value
$178,800
Median Rent
$836/mo
Population
13,346
College Educated
23.1%
Homeownership
67%
Avg Commute
11.7 min
Poverty Rate
8.6%
Median Age
32
Community Profile
The community surrounding Storm Lake Middle School has a median household income of $65,475. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $178,800, with a median rent of $836/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 12 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 |
|---|---|
| Berg Middle School Newton, IA | 4.0 |
| Callanan Middle School Des Moines, IA | 4.2 |
| Weeks Middle School Des Moines, IA | 4.2 |
| Harding Middle School Des Moines, IA | 3.2 |
| Evans Middle School Ottumwa, IA | 4.4 |
| Spring Creek - 6th Grade Pleasant Hill, IA | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Storm Lake Middle School
What grades does Storm Lake Middle School serve?
Storm Lake Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Storm Lake Middle School?
Storm Lake Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 843 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Storm Lake Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Storm Lake Middle School is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Storm Lake Middle School rank in IA?
Storm Lake Middle School is ranked #1239 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Storm Lake Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Storm Lake Middle School has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Storm Lake Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Storm Lake Middle School has 48.9% math proficiency and 52.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Storm Lake Middle School a charter school?
No, Storm Lake Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Storm Lake Middle School a Title I school?
No, Storm Lake Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Storm Lake Middle School?
66.8% of students at Storm 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 (1,975/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Storm Lake). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 843
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 57
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Buena Vista County
- Phone
- (712) 732-8080
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Storm Lake Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 2,933
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,455
- District Rank
- #5 of 6
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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