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Below Average

#1190 of 1,280 schools in IA

Weeks Middle School

Middle School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District

901 East Park Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315

Enrollment

668

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

4.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Des Moines

#55 of 64

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#237 of 248

In district

#51 of 59

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

About Weeks Middle School

Weeks Middle School is a regular public middle school in Des Moines, Iowa, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 668 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment. The campus is situated on East Park Avenue within a mid-size city setting, offering easy access for local families.

Academically, Weeks Middle School has room for improvement, as reflected by its MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and state ranking of #1229 out of 1288 schools in Iowa (5th percentile). In standardized tests, 46% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 40% meet or exceed proficiency standards in Math, and 42% do so in Science. The school is focusing on enhancing its academic programs to better support student development.

Despite the current challenges, Weeks Middle School continues to serve a diverse community within Des Moines, fostering growth and learning for its middle school students.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics2.1Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33%
Reading/ELA Proficiency38%
Math vs. State Avg-39.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-35.7 pts
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-11.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
Resources & Environment5.7Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,546

Weeks Middle School — Students at Weeks Middle School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 40.0%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 46.4%
School
State
76.8%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
39%
ELA
43%
2022
Math
33%
ELA
38%
2025
Math
40.3%
ELA
50.9%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Weeks Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
7th percentile in IA
Academic
2.1/10
2.1/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
5.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers

Location

901 East Park Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Weeks Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hiatt Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, McCombs Middle School (rated 5.5/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Howe Elementary Des Moines 0.3 mi 5.7
Jackson Elementary School Des Moines 0.6 mi 4.7
South Union Elementary School Des Moines 1.0 mi 7.4
Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines 1.4 mi 6.3
McKinley Elementary School Des Moines 1.3 mi 4.2
River Woods Elementary School Des Moines 1.3 mi 7.1
ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines 1.5 mi 6.5
Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines 1.3 mi 3.8
Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines 1.7 mi 5.0
Lincoln High School Des Moines 1.5 mi 3.8
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines 2.0 mi 6.0
Wright Elementary School Des Moines 2.1 mi 3.5
Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines 2.7 mi 4.4
Walnut Street School Des Moines 2.6 mi 5.0
East High School Des Moines 2.9 mi 4.3
Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines 2.9 mi 5.0
McCombs Middle School Des Moines 2.9 mi 5.5
Carver Elementary Des Moines 3.1 mi 6.6
Morris Elementary School Des Moines 2.8 mi 6.8
Hiatt Middle School Des Moines 3.2 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50315 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,036

Median Home Value

$164,000

Median Rent

$977/mo

Population

35,349

College Educated

18.5%

Homeownership

61.2%

Avg Commute

22.5 min

Poverty Rate

13.1%

Median Age

36.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Weeks Middle School has a median household income of $62,036. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,000, with a median rent of $977/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Callanan Middle School Des Moines, IA 4.2
Goodrell Middle School Des Moines, IA 4.3
Sudlow Intermediate Davenport, IA 4.3
Berg Middle School Newton, IA 4.0
Evans Middle School Ottumwa, IA 4.4
Hoyt Middle School Des Moines, IA 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Weeks Middle School

What grades does Weeks Middle School serve?

Weeks Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Weeks Middle School?

Weeks Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 668 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Weeks Middle School is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Weeks Middle School rank in IA?

Weeks Middle School is ranked #1190 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Weeks Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Weeks Middle School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Weeks Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Weeks Middle School has 40.0% math proficiency and 46.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Weeks Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Weeks Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

77.7% of students at Weeks 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
High (3,846/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Des Moines). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
668
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Des Moines Independent Comm School District
District Enrollment
30,277
Schools in District
59
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,518
District Rank
#51 of 59

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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