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Excellent

#68 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 5% in state

Union Middle School

Middle School · Union Comm School District

505 West, Dysart, IA 52224

Enrollment

189

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

8.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#68 of 1,280

In Dysart

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#3 of 4

Union Comm School District

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Union Middle School

8.6/10

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

Dysart-geneseo Elementary School

9.2/10

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

North Tama High School

5.1/10

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

About Union Middle School

Union Middle School is a public middle school in Dysart, IA, part of Union Comm School District. Union Middle School serves approximately 189 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Union Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #68 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Union Middle School show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.9 pts above IA schools
  • This school 8.6 · Excellent
  • IA avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

At 189 students, Union Middle School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Union 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 Progress9.7Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change+0.54 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.3Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency79.9% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency87.6% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+7.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.9 pts
Overall Proficiency84% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)81% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+3.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,149
Chronic Absenteeism24.9%

Union Middle School — Students at Union Middle School score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 81%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

25.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 78.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.4% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 73.6% (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
80%
ELA
73%
2010
Math
74%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
69%
ELA
64%
2012
Math
71%
ELA
61%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
70%
2014
Math
85%
ELA
75%
2015
Math
83%
ELA
74%
2016
Math
83%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
83%
ELA
74%
2018
Math
78%
ELA
63%
2019
Math
78%
ELA
63%
2020*
Math
76%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
76%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
75%
ELA
80%
2025
Math
79.9%
ELA
87.6%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Union Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.6/10
95th percentile in IA
Academic
8.3/10
Excellent
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
7.4/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.9%

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

505 West, Dysart, IA 52224

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Union Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School (rated 8.0/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Vinton), with a comparable rating. Another option is BLESSED MARIA ASSUNTA PALLOTTA MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 20.4 miles away, in nearby Waterloo), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Hoover Middle School (rated 7.2/10, 20.6 miles away, in nearby Waterloo), a more accessible option. For more schools in Dysart, see our Dysart schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Dysart-Geneseo Elementary School Dysart 0.2 mi 9.2
North Tama High School Traer 7.9 mi 5.1
North Tama Elementary Traer 7.9 mi 5.7
Union High School La Porte City 11.7 mi 6.9
La Porte City Elementary School La Porte City 11.6 mi 9.4
Keystone Elementary School Keystone 12.9 mi 4.9
Orange Elementary School Waterloo 18.2 mi 7.9
Hudson Elementary School Hudson 17.5 mi 7.6
Hudson High School Hudson 17.5 mi 7.1
Benton Community Senior High School Van Horne 15.9 mi 5.4
Benton Community Middle School Van Horne 15.9 mi 6.8
Longfellow Elementary School Belle Plaine 19.3 mi 7.1
Belle Plaine Jr/Sr High School Belle Plaine 19.4 mi 6.6
Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School Vinton 14.8 mi 8.0
Vinton-Shellsburg High School Vinton 14.9 mi 7.5
Tilford Elementary School Vinton 15.2 mi 7.9
COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waterloo 20.4 mi 6.5
BLESSED MARIA ASSUNTA PALLOTTA MIDDLE SCHOOL Waterloo 20.4 mi 7.6
Lou Henry Elementary School Waterloo 20.5 mi 5.4
Hoover Middle School Waterloo 20.6 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52224 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,917

Median Home Value

$168,800

Median Rent

$718/mo

Population

1,954

College Educated

25.6%

Homeownership

83.7%

Avg Commute

21.8 min

Poverty Rate

10.6%

Median Age

42.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
North Union Middle School Swea City, IA 8.6
West Hancock Middle School Kanawha, IA 8.6
Pierson Middle School Pierson, IA 8.5
South Winneshiek Middle School Ossian, IA 8.7
MFL MarMac Middle School Mcgregor, IA 8.9
Alta-Aurelia Middle School Aurelia, IA 9.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Union Middle School

What grades does Union Middle School serve?

Union Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Union Middle School?

Union Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 189 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Union Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Union Middle School is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Union Middle School rank in IA?

Union Middle School ranks #68 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Union Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Union Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 Union Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Union Middle School has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Union Middle School a charter school?

No, Union Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Union Middle School a Title I school?

No, Union Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Union Middle School?

25.9% of students at Union 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
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
189
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
25.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Tama County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.9%

District

Union Comm School District
District Enrollment
985
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,149
District Rank
#3 of 4

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