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Needs Improvement

#1235 of 1,294 schools in KS

Iola Middle School

Middle School · Iola

600 East Street, Iola, KS 66749

Enrollment

220

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

3.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kansas schools

#1,235 of 1,294

In Iola

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Iola

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Iola Middle School

3.6/10

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

Iola SR High

5.6/10

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

Iola High School Virtual

Nearby

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

About Iola Middle School

Iola Middle School is a public middle school in Iola, KS, part of Iola. Iola Middle School serves approximately 220 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Iola Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,235 of 1,294 schools in KS.

Structured state assessment records for Iola Middle School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts below KS schools
  • This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
  • KS avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

54% of students at Iola 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 Progress2.5Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5.07 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22.4% (2025 KAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency36.5% (2025 KAP)
Overall Proficiency29% (2025 KAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2025 KAP)
vs. Expected-3.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
Resources & Environment3.7Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,692
Chronic Absenteeism54.1%

Iola Middle School — Students at Iola Middle School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS KAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 32.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 45.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 36 test records from KS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
88%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
88%
ELA
90%
2011
Math
86%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
80%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
13%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
12%
ELA
35%
2016
Math
13%
ELA
28%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
16%
ELA
29%
2019
Math
16%
ELA
29%
2020*
Math
11%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
11%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
22%
2025
Math
22.6%
ELA
37.4%

* 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: 2.5/10.

How Iola Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.6/10
5th percentile in KS
Academic
4.8/10
Below Average
Growth
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
54.1%

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

600 East Street, Iola, KS 66749

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Iola Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Royster Middle School (rated 4.7/10, 16.9 miles away, in nearby Chanute), which scores notably higher. Another option is Southern Coffey County Middle School (rated 4.4/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Gridley), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Humboldt Middle School (rated 3.7/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Humboldt), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Iola, see our Iola schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Iola Sr High Iola 0.2 mi 5.6
Iola High School Virtual Iola 0.2 mi
Iola Elementary School Iola 0.5 mi 6.5
Humboldt Elementary School Humboldt 7.8 mi 7.6
Humboldt Middle School Humboldt 8.0 mi 3.7
Humboldt High School Humboldt 8.0 mi 3.1
Humboldt Virtual Education Humboldt 8.0 mi 1.3
Crest Elementary Colony 10.5 mi 4.3
Crest High Colony 10.5 mi 5.5
Marmaton Valley Elem Moran 12.3 mi 8.5
Marmaton Valley High Moran 12.4 mi 5.6
Marmaton Valley Virtual School Moran 12.4 mi
Royster Middle School Chanute 16.9 mi 4.7
ST PATRICK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Chanute 17.1 mi 5.6
Chanute Elementary School Chanute 17.5 mi 5.9
Westphalia Westphalia 18.8 mi 4.5
Southern Coffey County High School Leroy 17.1 mi 5.0
Southern Coffey County Middle School Gridley 17.2 mi 4.4
Chanute High Chanute 19.7 mi 4.8
Yates Center High Yates Center 18.5 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 66749 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,510

Median Home Value

$101,000

Median Rent

$715/mo

Population

7,452

College Educated

24.8%

Homeownership

67.6%

Avg Commute

18.4 min

Poverty Rate

13.1%

Median Age

39.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Holcomb Middle Holcomb, KS 3.6
Belle Plaine Middle Belle Plaine, KS 3.5
Colby Middle School Colby, KS 3.7
Humboldt Middle School Humboldt, KS 3.7
Atchison Middle School Atchison, KS 3.8
Hutchinson Middle School 8 Hutchinson, KS 3.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Iola Middle School

What grades does Iola Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Iola Middle School?

Iola Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 220 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Iola Middle School is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Iola Middle School rank in KS?

Iola Middle School ranks #1,235 of 1,294 schools in KS.

What is Iola Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Iola Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 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 Iola Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Iola Middle School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Iola Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Iola Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

70.0% of students at Iola 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
73 Very Walkable
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
220
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
70.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Allen County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
54.1%

District

Iola
District Enrollment
1,180
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,692
District Rank
#3 of 3

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