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Average

#668 of 1,280 schools in IA

Vernon Middle School

Middle School · Marion Independent School District

1350 4th Avenue, Marion, IA 52302

Enrollment

621

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

6.4

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#668 of 1,280

In Marion

#10 of 15

public schools

In district

#3 of 5

Marion Independent School District

Equity

7.7 / 10

Very Good

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Vernon Middle School

6.4/10

Middle School in Marion · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Starry Elementary School

4.7/10

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

Francis Marion Intermediate School

7.0/10

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

About Vernon Middle School

Vernon Middle School is a public middle school in Marion, IA, part of Marion Independent School District. Vernon Middle School serves approximately 621 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Vernon Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #668 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Vernon Middle School show 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with IA schools
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • IA avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

33% of students at Vernon Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.62 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.6Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency79.2% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency76.2% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+7.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.5 pts
Overall Proficiency78% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)73% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+4.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,528
Chronic Absenteeism33.3%

Vernon Middle School — Students at Vernon Middle School score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 77.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.1% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 72.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.3% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 38 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
81%
ELA
75%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
78%
2011
Math
76%
ELA
66%
2012
Math
84%
ELA
71%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
79%
2014
Math
83%
ELA
80%
2015
Math
81%
ELA
76%
2016
Math
79%
ELA
75%
2017
Math
78%
ELA
73%
2018
Math
76%
ELA
70%
2019
Math
76%
ELA
70%
2020*
Math
66%
ELA
65%
2021*
Math
66%
ELA
65%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
79.2%
ELA
76.3%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Vernon Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
48th percentile in IA
Academic
7.6/10
Very Good
Growth
6.6/10
Average
Environment
4.5/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.3%

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

1350 4th Avenue, Marion, IA 52302

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Vernon Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hazel Point Intermediate School (rated 8.7/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Excelsior Middle School (rated 8.1/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Oak Ridge Middle School (rated 8.1/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Marion, see our Marion schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Starry Elementary School Marion 0.5 mi 4.7
Francis Marion Intermediate School Marion 0.4 mi 7.0
Marion High School Marion 0.5 mi 5.0
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Marion 0.7 mi 7.1
Longfellow Elementary Marion 0.8 mi 7.2
Wilkins Elementary School Marion 1.1 mi 6.1
Indian Creek Elementary School Marion 1.4 mi 7.4
Novak Elementary School Marion 1.4 mi 7.7
Linn-Mar High School Marion 1.6 mi 5.0
Excelsior Middle School Marion 1.9 mi 8.1
Bowman Woods Elementary School Cedar Rapids 1.9 mi 6.1
Boulder Peak Intermediate School Marion 2.4 mi 7.8
CEDAR VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 2.7 mi 7.3
Linn Grove Elementary School Marion 2.3 mi 4.5
Oak Ridge Middle School Marion 2.9 mi 8.1
Hazel Point Intermediate School Marion 3.2 mi 8.7
Echo Hill Elementary Marion 3.2 mi 8.5
Kenwood Leadership Academy School Cedar Rapids 2.6 mi 4.5
George Washington High School Cedar Rapids 3.0 mi 4.0
Arthur Elementary School Cedar Rapids 2.9 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52302 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,463

Median Home Value

$232,900

Median Rent

$963/mo

Population

42,732

College Educated

39.1%

Homeownership

77.5%

Avg Commute

19.1 min

Poverty Rate

7.2%

Median Age

40.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Spring Creek - 6th Grade Pleasant Hill, IA 6.4
Lenihan Intermediate School Marshalltown, IA 6.5
Stilwell Junior High School West Des Moines, IA 6.5
Indianola Middle School Indianola, IA 6.3
Lincoln Intermediate Mason City, IA 6.6
Mid-Prairie Middle School Kalona, IA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Vernon Middle School

What grades does Vernon Middle School serve?

Vernon Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Vernon Middle School?

Vernon Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 621 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Vernon Middle School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Vernon Middle School rank in IA?

Vernon Middle School ranks #668 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Vernon Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Vernon Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 Vernon Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Vernon Middle School has 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Vernon Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Vernon Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

39.9% of students at Vernon 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
88 Very Walkable
Bike Score
56 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
621
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Linn County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.3%

District

Marion Independent School District
District Enrollment
2,167
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,528
District Rank
#3 of 5

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