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Average

#612 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 48% in state

Van Meter Middle School

Middle School · Van Meter Comm School District

PO BOX 257 520 1st Ave, Van Meter, IA 50261

Enrollment

241

Student-Teacher

40.2:1

Score

6.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Van Meter

#3 of 3

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#134 of 248

In district

#3 of 3

Van Meter Comm School District

Equity

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Van Meter Middle School

Van Meter Middle School serves 241 students in grades 6-8 in the rural community of Van Meter, Iowa. This public middle school demonstrates strong academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks 223rd out of 1,288 Iowa schools, placing it in the 83rd percentile statewide. The school's academic achievements are particularly noteworthy, with 92% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading, while 84% reach proficiency in Mathematics.

These impressive results reflect the school's commitment to educational excellence. With 6 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 40.2 to 1. Van Meter Middle School draws from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $140,257 and the median home value is $269,300.

The surrounding area has a low poverty rate of just 1.6%, and 39% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, indicating strong educational values within the community. The school operates in a rural setting near the town of Van Meter in Dallas County, providing students with a close-knit educational environment that combines small-town values with academic rigor.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Van Meter Middle School is 40.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Van Meter Middle School 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 Progress8.0Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.31 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.6Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency84%
Reading/ELA Proficiency92%
Math vs. State Avg+11.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.3 pts
Overall Proficiency88%
Expected (poverty-adj.)87%
vs. Expected+1.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
Resources & Environment1.0Significantly Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio40.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,282

Van Meter Middle School — Students at Van Meter Middle School score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 87%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

7.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 87.6%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 91.7%
School
State
76.8%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
85%
ELA
85%
2021*
Math
81%
ELA
92%
2022
Math
84%
ELA
92%
2025
Math
91.8%
ELA
93.7%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How Van Meter Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
52th percentile in IA
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
1.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
7%
Teaching Staff
40:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

PO BOX 257 520 1st Ave, Van Meter, IA 50261

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Van Meter Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ADM Middle School (rated 7.9/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Adel), which scores notably higher. Another option is DeSoto Intermediate School (rated 7.8/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Desoto), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Waukee Middle School (rated 7.1/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Waukee), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Van Meter, see our Van Meter schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Van Meter Elementary School Van Meter 0.0 mi 6.9
Van Meter High School Van Meter 0.0 mi 7.4
DeSoto Intermediate School Desoto 3.0 mi 7.8
Sugar Creek Elementary School Waukee 4.6 mi 6.3
Timberline School Waukee 5.8 mi 6.3
Waukee Elementary School Waukee 6.3 mi 6.2
ADM Senior High School Adel 6.4 mi 7.1
ADM Middle School Adel 6.4 mi 7.9
South Middle School Waukee 6.1 mi 4.7
Vince Meyer Early Learning Center Waukee 6.7 mi 6.0
Meadow View Elementary Adel 6.7 mi 6.0
Waukee Middle School Waukee 6.8 mi 7.1
Woodland Hills Elementary School West Des Moines 6.0 mi 6.6
Waukee High School Waukee 6.8 mi 5.5
Northwest High School Waukee 7.5 mi 7.2
Prairieview School Waukee 7.0 mi 5.5
Adel Elementary School Adel 7.5 mi 6.1
Maple Grove Elementary School West Des Moines 7.2 mi 6.4
Grant Ragan Elementary School Waukee 8.1 mi 4.9
Brookview Elementary School West Des Moines 7.7 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50261 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$150,341

Median Home Value

$318,600

Median Rent

$979/mo

Population

3,105

College Educated

41.3%

Homeownership

84.5%

Avg Commute

21.7 min

Poverty Rate

1.5%

Median Age

40.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Van Meter Middle School has a median household income of $150,341. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $318,600, with a median rent of $979/month. The local poverty rate of 1.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Underwood Middle School Underwood, IA 6.5
AHSTW Intermediate School Avoca, IA 6.6
Alburnett Middle School Alburnett, IA 6.4
Chariton Middle School Chariton, IA 6.6
Maquoketa Valley Middle School Delhi, IA 6.4
Odebolt Arthur Battle Creek Ida Grove Middle School Odebolt, IA 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Van Meter Middle School

What grades does Van Meter Middle School serve?

Van Meter Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Van Meter Middle School?

Van Meter Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 241 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Van Meter Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Van Meter Middle School is 40.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Van Meter Middle School rank in IA?

Van Meter Middle School is ranked #612 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Van Meter Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Van Meter Middle School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Van Meter Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Van Meter Middle School has 87.6% math proficiency and 91.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Van Meter Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Van Meter Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

7.1% of students at Van Meter 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
Low (110/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
241
Student-Teacher Ratio
40.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
7.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Dallas County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Van Meter Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,117
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,683
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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