Average
#766 of 1,280 schools in IA
Wapello Junior High School
Middle School · Wapello Comm School District
501 Buchanan St, Wapello, IA 52653
Enrollment
100
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
6.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
100
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
6.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wapello
#3 of 3
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#164 of 248
In district
#3 of 3
Wapello Comm School District
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Wapello Junior High School
Wapello Junior High School is a regular public middle school in Wapello, Iowa, located in the remote rural setting of Louisa County. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 100 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20:1 with five full-time equivalent teachers. The MySchoolScout rating for Wapello Junior High is 4.2 out of 10, placing it in the 23rd percentile among Iowa schools.
Academically, the school scores an average of 66% proficiency or above in ELA/reading and 62% in math, with science showing 51% proficiency or higher. While Wapello Junior High School is currently focusing on areas for academic growth, it provides a supportive environment for students to develop essential skills during their middle school years. The small size of the school fosters close relationships between teachers and students, allowing for personalized attention and support.
Set in a quiet rural area, Wapello Junior High School is part of a tight-knit community that values education and supports its young learners as they navigate through middle school.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 100 students, Wapello Junior High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Wapello Junior High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Wapello Junior High 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
Wapello Junior High School — Students at Wapello Junior High School score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44%
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: 9.9/10.
How Wapello Junior High School Compares
See how Wapello Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 67% (2022).
Location
501 Buchanan St, Wapello, IA 52653
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Wapello Junior High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Susan Clark Junior High (rated 7.9/10, 18.2 miles away, in nearby Muscatine), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mediapolis Middle School (rated 7.1/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Mediapolis), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Columbus Community Junior High School (rated 6.7/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Columbus Junction), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Wapello, see our Wapello schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.7 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52653 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$80,990
Median Home Value
$152,400
Median Rent
$799/mo
Population
3,203
College Educated
17.2%
Homeownership
71%
Avg Commute
22.2 min
Poverty Rate
4.9%
Median Age
46.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Wapello Junior High School has a median household income of $80,990. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $152,400, with a median rent of $799/month. The local poverty rate of 4.9% 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 |
|---|---|
| Adair-Casey Jr. High School Adair, IA | 6.1 |
| Highland Middle School Riverside, IA | 5.9 |
| Lamoni Middle School Lamoni, IA | 5.9 |
| East Buchanan Middle School Winthrop, IA | 6.3 |
| St Ansgar Middle School St. Ansgar, IA | 6.3 |
| Galva-Holstein Upper Elementary Galva, IA | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Wapello Junior High School
What grades does Wapello Junior High School serve?
Wapello Junior High School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Wapello Junior High School?
Wapello Junior High School has an enrollment of approximately 100 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Wapello Junior High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Wapello Junior High School is 20:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Wapello Junior High School rank in IA?
Wapello Junior High School is ranked #766 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Wapello Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Wapello Junior High School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Wapello Junior High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wapello Junior High School has 62.3% math proficiency and 65.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Wapello Junior High School a charter school?
No, Wapello Junior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Wapello Junior High School a Title I school?
No, Wapello Junior High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wapello Junior High School?
44.0% of students at Wapello Junior High 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (514/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 100
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Louisa County
- Phone
- (319) 523-8131
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wapello Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 509
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,323
- 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
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