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
Enrollment
241
Student-Teacher
40.2:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Van Meter Middle School — Students at Van Meter Middle School score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 87%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
7.1%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.0/10.
How Van Meter Middle School Compares
See how Van Meter Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 85% (2019) to 84% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 85% (2019) to 92% (2022).
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.
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
- Phone
- (515) 996-2221
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Van Meter Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,117
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $9,683
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.