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Denison Middle School

Summary:

Denison Middle School is a public middle school in Denison, Iowa, serving 502 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Denison Community School District, which is ranked 161 out of 309 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Denison Middle School generally performs better than the state average in English Language Arts and Mathematics across all grade levels. For example, in 2023-2024, 82.4% of 7th-grade students were proficient or better in ELA, compared to the state average of 77.3%. Similarly, 82.9% of 8th-grade students were proficient or better in Mathematics, compared to the state average of 73.2%. The school also has a higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 53.03% to 75.27% over the past three years, indicating a higher proportion of students from low-income families. Denison Middle School spends $11,728 per student, which is higher than the nearby IKM-Manning Middle School ($9,934) and Odebolt Arthur Battle Creek Ida Grove Middle School ($11,124).

The nearby schools, such as IKM-Manning Middle School and Odebolt Arthur Battle Creek Ida Grove Middle School, have a significantly higher percentage of white students and lower free and reduced lunch rates. These schools also tend to have higher state-wide rankings and star ratings from SchoolDigger. Despite these differences, Denison Middle School has maintained a relatively consistent performance in test scores over the past few years, with some fluctuations but generally performing above the state average in ELA and Mathematics.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 1201 North 16th Street
       Denison, IA  51442

(712) 263-9393

District: Denison Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
174th of 337 Iowa Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,728 Help


Students who attend Denison Middle School usually attend:

High:    Denison High School

Feeder schools for Denison Middle School:

Elementary:    Broadway Elementary School
    Denison Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.9 Help
Number of students:  502

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
64.7%
White:
28.3%
African American:
4.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  66.5% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Denison Middle School ranks worse than 51.6% of middle schools in Iowa. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 54.44. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (64.7%), White (28.3%), African American (4%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 66.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Denison Middle School is 15.9. (See more...)
Help
Compare Denison Middle School employs 31.4 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Denison Middle School is $11,728.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Denison Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Denison Middle School 174th of 337 Iowa public middle schools. (See Denison Middle School in the ranking list.)

Denison Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Denison Community School District 161st of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Denison Middle School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 41.33 239th 349 31.5%
2013 46.42 224th 350 36.0%
2014 40.70 227th 337 32.6%
2015 42.34 230th 349 34.1%
2016 41.10 232nd 343 32.4%
2017 45.98 204th 327 37.6%
2018 43.51 206th 318 35.2%
2019 41.87 218th 342 36.3%
2021 45.54 200th 324 38.3%
2022 57.01 146th 337 56.7%
2023 62.92 125th 334 62.6%
2024 54.44 174th 337 48.4%
See the entire list of Iowa Middle School Rankings!

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

Denison 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 Denison 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 386 2 9 1 2 n/a n/a 0 400
1989 385 1 7 2 4 n/a n/a 0 399
1990 390 1 5 0 5 n/a n/a 0 401
1991 396 1 1 0 4 n/a n/a 0 402
1992 399 1 0 0 2 n/a n/a 0 402
1993 392 0 2 1 1 n/a n/a 0 396
1994 346 1 2 1 1 n/a n/a 0 351
1995 359 0 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 364
1996 359 0 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 364
1997 352 1 5 4 0 n/a n/a 0 362
1998 338 1 7 23 1 n/a n/a 0 370
1999 331 2 5 32 2 n/a n/a 0 372
2000 326 2 5 42 1 n/a n/a 0 376
2001 333 5 7 63 1 n/a n/a 0 409
2002 279 3 7 96 2 n/a n/a 0 387
2003 279 3 7 96 2 n/a n/a 0 387
2004 265 4 4 113 3 n/a n/a 0 389
2005 269 5 10 132 7 n/a n/a 0 423
2006 230 2 8 149 7 n/a n/a 0 396
2007 221 4 7 178 6 n/a n/a 0 416
2008 208 4 3 192 2 n/a n/a 0 409
2009 207 7 2 222 0 n/a n/a 0 438
2010 204 5 4 238 0 0 3 0 454
2011 187 6 6 237 1 0 2 0 439
2012 179 11 5 245 0 0 2 0 442
2013 165 8 8 247 0 0 0 0 428
2014 168 8 6 286 0 0 2 0 470
2015 147 10 8 290 0 0 2 0 457
2016 146 12 7 306 1 0 1 0 473
2017 141 12 5 319 0 0 0 0 477
2018 151 25 6 325 0 0 1 0 508
2019 136 26 7 344 0 0 1 0 514
2020 152 22 10 341 1 0 3 0 529
2021 148 22 15 357 1 0 3 0 546
2022 154 11 12 330 0 0 4 0 511
2023 142 20 12 325 0 0 3 0 502

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 Denison Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 400 25.1 15.9 17.8
1989 399 24.9 16.0 21.1
1990 401 24.9 16.1 23.9
1991 402 24.9 16.1 22.9
1992 402 25.0 16.0 21.6
1993 396 24.2 16.4 21.7
1994 351 25.2 13.9 21.9
1995 364 24.7 14.7 26.9
1996 364 24.7 14.7 26.9
1997 362 24.9 14.5 26
1998 370 25.1 14.7 31.1
1999 372 27.1 13.7 43.3
2000 376 27.1 13.9 43.4
2001 409 27.6 14.8 43.5
2002 387 28.3 13.7 46
2003 387 28.3 13.7 46
2004 389 28.5 13.6 47.3
2005 423 28.5 14.8 53
2006 396 28.9 13.7 56.3
2007 416 29.0 14.3 57.9
2008 409 29.0 14.1 62.1
2009 438 29.6 14.8 65.3
2010 454 29.4 15.4 65
2011 439 28.5 15.4 65.4
2012 442 28.8 15.3 69.7
2013 428 28.5 15.0 71
2014 470 31.5 14.9 75.1
2015 457 31.0 14.7 74.6
2016 473 32.0 14.7 75.3
2017 477 31.8 14.9 77.8
2018 508 30.5 16.6 74.8
2019 514 30.3 16.9 76.8
2020 529 32.8 16.1 76
2021 546 31.5 17.3 75.3
2022 511 32.6 15.6 53
2023 502 31.4 15.9 66.5

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 Denison Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 400 25.1 15.9 17.8
1989 399 24.9 16.0 21.1
1990 401 24.9 16.1 23.9
1991 402 24.9 16.1 22.9
1992 402 25.0 16.0 21.6
1993 396 24.2 16.4 21.7
1994 351 25.2 13.9 21.9
1995 364 24.7 14.7 26.9
1996 364 24.7 14.7 26.9
1997 362 24.9 14.5 26
1998 370 25.1 14.7 31.1
1999 372 27.1 13.7 43.3
2000 376 27.1 13.9 43.4
2001 409 27.6 14.8 43.5
2002 387 28.3 13.7 46
2003 387 28.3 13.7 46
2004 389 28.5 13.6 47.3
2005 423 28.5 14.8 53
2006 396 28.9 13.7 56.3
2007 416 29.0 14.3 57.9
2008 409 29.0 14.1 62.1
2009 438 29.6 14.8 65.3
2010 454 29.4 15.4 65
2011 439 28.5 15.4 65.4
2012 442 28.8 15.3 69.7
2013 428 28.5 15.0 71
2014 470 31.5 14.9 75.1
2015 457 31.0 14.7 74.6
2016 473 32.0 14.7 75.3
2017 477 31.8 14.9 77.8
2018 508 30.5 16.6 74.8
2019 514 30.3 16.9 76.8
2020 529 32.8 16.1 76
2021 546 31.5 17.3 75.3
2022 511 32.6 15.6 53
2023 502 31.4 15.9 66.5

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 Denison Middle School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $298 (2.5%) $11,430 (97.5%) $11,728

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Denison 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 218th of 342 Middle schoolsRanks 125th of 334 Middle schools
 26.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Denison Middle School)57.671
 13.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Denison Community School District)57.671
 13.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.572.7
 5.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Denison Middle School)66.571.6
 5.1%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Denison Community School District)66.571.6
 5.1%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.469.9
 0.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Denison Middle School)64.579.2
 14.7%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Denison Community School District)64.579.2
 14.7%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.974.2
 4.3%
7th Grade Mathematics (Denison Middle School)66.570.8
 4.3%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Denison Community School District)66.570.8
 4.3%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)70.168.9
 1.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Denison Middle School)69.288.5
 19.3%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Denison Community School District)69.288.5
 19.3%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.576
 6.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Denison Middle School)78.189.7
 11.6%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Denison Community School District)78.189.7
 11.6%
   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 Students514502
 2.3%
African American2620
 23.1%
American Indian00
Asian712
 71.4%
Hispanic344325
 5.5%
Pacific Islander00
White136142
 4.4%
Two or More Races13
 200%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients76.8%66.5%
 10.3%

Schools Near Denison Middle School








Frequently Asked Questions about Denison Middle School

Students at Denison Middle School are 65% Hispanic, 28% White, 4% African American, 2% Asian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 502 students attended Denison Middle School.

Denison Middle School ranks 174th of 337 Iowa middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Denison Middle School usually go on to attend Denison 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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