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Below Average

#1088 of 1,280 schools in IA

Urbandale Middle School

Middle School · Urbandale Comm School District

7701 Aurora Avenue, Urbandale, IA 50322

Enrollment

869

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

4.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Urbandale

#7 of 7

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#216 of 248

In district

#5 of 5

Urbandale Comm School District

About Urbandale Middle School

Urbandale Middle School serves students in grades 6 through 8 in the large suburban community of Urbandale, Iowa. The school enrolls 869 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1, supported by 57 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, the school is working to strengthen student performance across core subjects.

In English Language Arts, 75% of students score at proficient levels or above. Mathematics and science proficiency each reach 70%, indicating areas where the school continues to focus on improvement and student development. Overall, Urbandale Middle School ranks in the 37th percentile statewide among Iowa schools, with room for academic growth across its student body.

The school's location on Aurora Avenue places it in a well-established suburban setting, offering families in the Urbandale area a neighborhood middle school option for their children's educational foundation.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.5Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.71 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.1Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74%
Math vs. State Avg-8.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.3 pts
Overall Proficiency69%
Expected (poverty-adj.)70%
vs. Expected-1.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
Resources & Environment5.4Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,500

Urbandale Middle School — Students at Urbandale Middle School score 69% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 69.8%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 75.0%
School
State
76.8%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
79%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
66%
ELA
71%
2022
Math
64%
ELA
74%
2025
Math
70%
ELA
75.9%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Urbandale Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
15th percentile in IA
Academic
6.1/10
6.1/10
Growth
3.5/10
Below average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
57 teachers

Location

7701 Aurora Avenue, Urbandale, IA 50322

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Urbandale Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Indian Hills Junior High School (rated 8.1/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Clive), which scores notably higher. Another option is Meredith Middle School (rated 6.0/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Summit Middle School (rated 5.5/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Johnston), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Urbandale, see our Urbandale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Urbandale High School Urbandale 0.5 mi 7.2
Olmsted Elementary School Urbandale 0.6 mi 7.7
Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale 0.8 mi 7.5
Timber Ridge Elementary Johnston 1.3 mi 5.6
ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Urbandale 1.1 mi 4.8
Crestview School of Inquiry Clive 1.9 mi 5.0
Clive Learning Academy Des Moines 2.1 mi 7.6
Cowles Elementary School Des Moines 2.3 mi 6.0
Moore Elementary School Des Moines 1.9 mi 5.4
Hillis Elementary School Des Moines 2.2 mi 5.5
Summit Middle School Johnston 2.4 mi 5.5
MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines 2.3 mi 8.5
Johnston Middle School Johnston 2.7 mi 6.1
Hoover High School Des Moines 2.1 mi 6.1
Horizon Elementary Johnston 2.5 mi 5.3
Meredith Middle School Des Moines 2.2 mi 6.0
Indian Hills Junior High School Clive 2.7 mi 8.1
DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines 2.9 mi 5.2
Henry A Wallace Elementary School Johnston 2.7 mi 5.9
Beaver Creek Elementary School Johnston 3.0 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50322 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,323

Median Home Value

$263,900

Median Rent

$1,151/mo

Population

31,694

College Educated

42%

Homeownership

71.2%

Avg Commute

18.1 min

Poverty Rate

9.2%

Median Age

40.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Urbandale Middle School has a median household income of $89,323. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $263,900, with a median rent of $1,151/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Fort Madison Middle School Fort Madison, IA 4.9
Franklin Middle School Cedar Rapids, IA 4.9
South Middle School Waukee, IA 4.7
Southeast Polk Junior High Pleasant Hill, IA 5.2
Spring Creek - 6th Grade Pleasant Hill, IA 4.6
Evans Middle School Ottumwa, IA 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Urbandale Middle School

What grades does Urbandale Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Urbandale Middle School?

Urbandale Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 869 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Urbandale Middle School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Urbandale Middle School rank in IA?

Urbandale Middle School is ranked #1088 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Urbandale Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Urbandale Middle School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Urbandale Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Urbandale Middle School has 69.8% math proficiency and 75.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Urbandale Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Urbandale Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

37.1% of students at Urbandale 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

City Safety
Elevated (726/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Urbandale). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
869
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
57
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Urbandale Comm School District
District Enrollment
4,255
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,693
District Rank
#5 of 5

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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