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Very Good

#442 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 35% 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

7.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#442 of 1,280

In Van Meter

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Van Meter Comm School District

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Van Meter Middle School

7.3/10

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

Van Meter Elementary School

8.2/10

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

Van Meter High School

7.4/10

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

About Van Meter Middle School

Van Meter Middle School is a public middle school in Van Meter, IA, part of Van Meter Comm School District. Van Meter Middle School serves approximately 241 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 40.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Van Meter Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #442 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Van Meter Middle School show 87% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025) and 90% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts above IA schools
  • This school 7.3 · Very Good
  • IA avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

Van Meter Middle School runs 40.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Van Meter 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 Progress9.8Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change+0.83 pts/yr
Data Period2017–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.7Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency91.8% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency93.7% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+19.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+20 pts
Overall Proficiency93% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)91% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+2.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
Resources & Environment1.3Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio40.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,683
Chronic Absenteeism12.9%

Van Meter Middle School — Students at Van Meter Middle School score 93% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 91%).

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 86.5% (multi-year average, 2017-2025)
School
State
73.4% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 90.4% (multi-year average, 2017-2025)
School
State
76.8% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 19 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2017
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2018
Math
85%
ELA
85%
2019
Math
85%
ELA
85%
2020*
Math
81%
ELA
92%
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: 9.8/10.

How Van Meter Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
66th percentile in IA
Academic
8.7/10
Excellent
Growth
9.8/10
Excellent
Environment
1.3/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
7%
Teaching Staff
40:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.9%

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. Waukee Middle School (rated 8.5/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Waukee), which scores notably higher. Another option is DeSoto Intermediate School (rated 8.1/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Desoto), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ADM Middle School (rated 7.8/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Adel), 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 8.2
Van Meter High School Van Meter 0.0 mi 7.4
DeSoto Intermediate School Desoto 3.0 mi 8.1
Sugar Creek Elementary School Waukee 4.6 mi 6.4
Timberline School Waukee 5.8 mi 4.3
Waukee Elementary School Waukee 6.3 mi 8.4
ADM Senior High School Adel 6.4 mi 7.3
ADM Middle School Adel 6.4 mi 7.8
South Middle School Waukee 6.1 mi 6.1
Vince Meyer Early Learning Center Waukee 6.7 mi 3.4
Meadow View Elementary Adel 6.7 mi 7.8
Waukee Middle School Waukee 6.8 mi 8.5
Woodland Hills Elementary School West Des Moines 6.0 mi 7.2
Waukee High School Waukee 6.8 mi 4.6
Northwest High School Waukee 7.5 mi 5.5
Prairieview School Waukee 7.0 mi 4.9
Adel Elementary School Adel 7.5 mi 7.3
Maple Grove Elementary School West Des Moines 7.2 mi 7.5
Grant Ragan Elementary School Waukee 8.1 mi 4.9
Brookview Elementary School West Des Moines 7.7 mi 7.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Dike-New Hartford Junior High School New Hartford, IA 7.3
Jesup Middle School Jesup, IA 7.3
Odebolt Arthur Battle Creek Ida Grove Middle School Odebolt, IA 7.3
Underwood Middle School Underwood, IA 7.3
Albia Middle School Albia, IA 7.2
Hinton Intermediate School Hinton, IA 7.2

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 ranks #442 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Van Meter Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Van Meter Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 Van Meter Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Van Meter Middle School has 87% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025) and 90% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025).

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

Walk Score
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
12 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.9%

District

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

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