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Decorah Middle School

Summary:

Decorah Middle School is a public middle school in Decorah, Iowa, serving 461 students in grades 5-8. The school is part of the Decorah Community School District, which is ranked 13th out of 309 school districts in Iowa and has a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. Decorah Middle School has consistently maintained a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger over the past decade, indicating its strong academic performance and overall quality.

Decorah Middle School consistently outperforms the state average in ISASP (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress) test scores across all grade levels and subject areas. In the 2023-2024 school year, the school's proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science were significantly higher than the state averages, with some grades achieving proficiency rates over 90%. The school also spends approximately $13,267 per student, which is higher than the spending per student at Waukon Middle School ($12,897) and South Winneshiek Middle School ($15,752). Additionally, Decorah Middle School has a lower student-teacher ratio (13:1) compared to Waukon Middle School (18:1) and South Winneshiek Middle School (14.7:1), indicating a more favorable learning environment with smaller class sizes.

Decorah Middle School has a lower percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (26.03%) compared to Waukon Middle School (39.26%) and South Winneshiek Middle School (25.58%), suggesting a relatively higher socioeconomic status of the student population. The school's consistent academic excellence, as evidenced by its 5-star rating and high ISASP test scores, along with its favorable spending and student-teacher ratio, contribute to its strong reputation and performance.


Detail:

Public 5-8

 405 Winnebago St.
       Decorah, IA  52101

(563) 382-8427

District: Decorah Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
18th of 337 Iowa Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,267 Help


Students who attend Decorah Middle School usually attend:

High:    Decorah High School

Feeder schools for Decorah Middle School:

Elementary:    Carrie Lee Elementary
    John Cline Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  13.0 Help
Number of students:  461

Racial breakdown:

White:
90.5%
Hispanic:
3.9%
Two or more races:
3.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  26% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Decorah Middle School ranks better than 94.7% of middle schools in Iowa. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 85.97. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Teachers
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Decorah Middle School is $13,267.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Decorah Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Decorah Middle School 18th of 337 Iowa public middle schools. (See Decorah Middle School in the ranking list.)

Decorah Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Decorah Community School District 13th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Decorah Middle School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 88.51 4th 349 98.9%
2013 87.37 5th 350 98.6%
2014 85.70 13th 337 96.1%
2015 86.89 12th 349 96.6%
2016 86.76 9th 343 97.4%
2017 79.79 32nd 327 90.2%
2018 82.93 23rd 318 92.8%
2019 86.84 16th 342 95.3%
2021 81.89 31st 324 90.4%
2022 84.49 23rd 337 93.2%
2023 86.89 12th 334 96.4%
2024 85.97 18th 337 94.7%
See the entire list of Iowa Middle School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Iowa Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Decorah Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    






Data source: Iowa Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Decorah Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 341 2 7 1 0 n/a n/a 0 351
1989 337 2 5 1 0 n/a n/a 0 345
1990 336 1 6 0 1 n/a n/a 0 344
1991 367 3 6 0 2 n/a n/a 0 378
1992 352 1 6 1 0 n/a n/a 0 360
1993 392 1 9 0 0 n/a n/a 0 402
1994 408 1 9 0 1 n/a n/a 0 419
1995 417 0 7 0 0 n/a n/a 0 424
1996 417 0 7 0 0 n/a n/a 0 424
1997 428 1 6 0 0 n/a n/a 0 435
1998 389 1 8 5 0 n/a n/a 0 403
1999 413 2 11 1 0 n/a n/a 0 427
2000 479 2 10 5 0 n/a n/a 0 496
2001 480 4 10 1 0 n/a n/a 0 495
2002 436 0 10 5 0 n/a n/a 0 451
2003 436 0 10 5 0 n/a n/a 0 451
2004 418 0 10 3 1 n/a n/a 0 432
2005 415 0 10 6 1 n/a n/a 0 432
2006 420 1 6 5 1 n/a n/a 0 433
2007 440 1 5 8 1 n/a n/a 0 455
2008 441 2 5 11 0 n/a n/a 0 459
2009 481 4 6 15 0 n/a n/a 0 506
2010 436 2 7 14 0 0 3 0 462
2011 433 2 6 11 0 0 4 0 456
2012 413 2 4 17 0 0 4 0 440
2013 410 4 8 22 0 0 5 0 449
2014 421 0 8 19 0 0 6 0 454
2015 437 2 11 21 0 0 9 0 480
2016 471 2 10 18 2 0 14 0 517
2017 454 3 12 19 0 0 21 0 509
2018 465 4 8 19 2 0 19 0 517
2019 465 5 4 27 1 0 16 0 518
2020 464 7 4 32 0 0 12 0 519
2021 449 5 3 26 0 0 10 0 493
2022 431 4 5 27 0 1 10 0 478
2023 417 7 3 18 0 1 15 0 461

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Decorah Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 351 25.6 13.7 10
1989 345 25.7 13.4 13.6
1990 344 25.1 13.7 17.2
1991 378 27.0 14.0 11.9
1992 360 24.0 15.0 6.4
1993 402 26.1 15.4 10.4
1994 419 26.5 15.8 12.2
1995 424 25.9 16.4 17.9
1996 424 25.9 16.4 17.9
1997 435 25.9 16.8 12.4
1998 403 26.6 15.2 14.1
1999 427 27.7 15.4 17.1
2000 496 30.7 16.2 15.5
2001 495 26.7 18.5 18
2002 451 36.5 12.4 18.4
2003 451 36.5 12.4 18.4
2004 432 34.6 12.5 17.8
2005 432 33.3 13.0 15
2006 433 33.3 13.0 14.1
2007 455 32.3 14.1 17.4
2008 459 33.0 13.9 20.3
2009 506 35.7 14.2 20.9
2010 462 33.9 13.6 24.7
2011 456 32.8 13.8 24.8
2012 440 33.1 13.2 23.9
2013 449 34.8 12.8 29
2014 454 34.3 13.2 28.4
2015 480 35.0 13.7 28.8
2016 517 33.0 15.6 29.8
2017 509 34.1 14.9 21.6
2018 517 33.7 15.3 22.4
2019 518 33.5 15.4 22.2
2020 519 34.5 15.0 24.7
2021 493 36.5 13.4 24.5
2022 478 34.6 13.8 24.1
2023 461 35.4 13.0 26

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Decorah Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 351 25.6 13.7 10
1989 345 25.7 13.4 13.6
1990 344 25.1 13.7 17.2
1991 378 27.0 14.0 11.9
1992 360 24.0 15.0 6.4
1993 402 26.1 15.4 10.4
1994 419 26.5 15.8 12.2
1995 424 25.9 16.4 17.9
1996 424 25.9 16.4 17.9
1997 435 25.9 16.8 12.4
1998 403 26.6 15.2 14.1
1999 427 27.7 15.4 17.1
2000 496 30.7 16.2 15.5
2001 495 26.7 18.5 18
2002 451 36.5 12.4 18.4
2003 451 36.5 12.4 18.4
2004 432 34.6 12.5 17.8
2005 432 33.3 13.0 15
2006 433 33.3 13.0 14.1
2007 455 32.3 14.1 17.4
2008 459 33.0 13.9 20.3
2009 506 35.7 14.2 20.9
2010 462 33.9 13.6 24.7
2011 456 32.8 13.8 24.8
2012 440 33.1 13.2 23.9
2013 449 34.8 12.8 29
2014 454 34.3 13.2 28.4
2015 480 35.0 13.7 28.8
2016 517 33.0 15.6 29.8
2017 509 34.1 14.9 21.6
2018 517 33.7 15.3 22.4
2019 518 33.5 15.4 22.2
2020 519 34.5 15.0 24.7
2021 493 36.5 13.4 24.5
2022 478 34.6 13.8 24.1
2023 461 35.4 13.0 26

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Decorah Middle School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $314 (2.4%) $12,953 (97.6%) $13,267

Data source: Iowa Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Decorah Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 16th of 342 Middle schoolsRanks 12th of 334 Middle schools
 1.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
5th Grade English Language Arts (Decorah Middle School)80.283.6
 3.4%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Decorah Community School District)80.283.6
 3.4%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.368.3
 1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Decorah Middle School)75.476.4
 1%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Decorah Community School District)75.476.4
 1%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.471.3
 1.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Decorah Middle School)85.189.2
 4.1%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Decorah Community School District)85.189.2
 4.1%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.572.7
 5.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Decorah Middle School)82.585.3
 2.8%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Decorah Community School District)82.585.3
 2.8%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.469.9
 0.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Decorah Middle School)9089.8
 0.2%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Decorah Community School District)9089.8
 0.2%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.974.2
 4.3%
7th Grade Mathematics (Decorah Middle School)87.586.4
 1.1%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Decorah Community School District)87.586.4
 1.1%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)70.168.9
 1.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Decorah Middle School)84.691.1
 6.5%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Decorah Community School District)84.691.1
 6.5%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.576
 6.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Decorah Middle School)85.388.6
 3.3%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Decorah Community School District)85.388.6
 3.3%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)71.872
 0.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students518461
 11%
African American57
 40%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian43
 25%
Hispanic2718
 33.3%
Pacific Islander01
White465417
 10.3%
Two or More Races1615
 6.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients22.2%26%
 3.8%

Schools Near Decorah Middle School








Frequently Asked Questions about Decorah Middle School

Students at Decorah Middle School are 90% White, 4% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races, 2% African American.

In the 2022-23 school year, 461 students attended Decorah Middle School.

Yes. Decorah Middle School ranks in the top 5.3% of Iowa middle schools.

Students who attend Decorah Middle School usually go on to attend Decorah High School


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Iowa Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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