Vernon Middle School

Q: Is Vernon Middle School a good school?

Vernon Middle School ranks 177 th of 337 Iowa middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Vernon Middle School is a public middle school located in Marion, Iowa, serving grades 5-8 with a total enrollment of 668 students. The school is part of the Marion Independent School District, which is ranked 207 out of 309 districts in Iowa and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Vernon Middle School consistently performs above the state average in ISASP (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress) test scores across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the school's proficiency rates in English Language Arts ranged from 73.6% to 82.8%, compared to the state average of 69% to 77.5%. In Mathematics, the school's proficiency rates ranged from 66.7% to 76.8%, compared to the state average of 69.9% to 73.2%. However, the school's statewide ranking has been declining over the years, from a high of 63 out of 337 Iowa middle schools in 2013-2014 to 177 out of 337 in the 2023-2024 school year.

When compared to the nearby schools, Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy, Cedar Rapids Virtual Academy Middle, Wilson Middle School, McKinley STEAM Academy, and Franklin Middle School, which are part of the Cedar Rapids Community School District, Vernon Middle School generally outperforms them in academic performance. However, it lags behind the higher-performing Linn-Mar Community School District schools, such as Oak Ridge Middle School, Hazel Point Intermediate School, Excelsior Middle School, and Boulder Peak Intermediate School.

Detail:

Public 5-8

1350 4th Avenue
Marion, IA 52302

(319) 377-9401

District: Marion Independent School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
177^th of 337 Iowa Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $11,914

Students who attend Vernon Middle School usually attend:

High:

Marion High School

Feeder schools for Vernon Middle School:

Elementary:	Francis Marion Intermediate School
	Longfellow Elementary
	Starry Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 15.6

Number of students: 668

Racial breakdown:

White:

82.0%

Two or more races:

6.6%

Hispanic:

5.7%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 39.7%

See top rated Iowa middle schools

Compare Vernon Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Vernon Middle School ranks worse than 52.5% of middle schools in Iowa. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 54.23. (See more...)

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

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Teachers

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Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Vernon Middle School is $11,914.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Vernon Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Vernon Middle School 177^th of 337 Iowa public middle schools. (See Vernon Middle School in the ranking list.)

Marion Independent School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Marion Independent School District 207^th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Vernon Middle School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	58.11	141^st	349	59.6%
2013	71.58	62^nd	350	82.3%
2014	73.55	63^rd	337	81.3%
2015	66.09	112^th	349	67.9%
2016	55.18	166^th	343	51.6%
2017	62.44	120^th	327	63.3%
2018	53.74	163^rd	318	48.7%
2019	62.66	124^th	342	63.7%
2021	43.51	211^th	324	34.9%
2022	40.81	226^th	337	32.9%
2023	37.41	237^th	334	29.0%
2024	54.23	177^th	337	47.5%

See the entire list of Iowa Middle School Rankings!

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

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Vernon Middle School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1988	356	1	3	0	1	n/a	n/a	361
1989	336	2	2	0	1	n/a	n/a	341
1990	318	2	1	3	1	n/a	n/a	325
1991	322	1	2	2	0	n/a	n/a	327
1992	464	2	3	0	1	n/a	n/a	470
1993	457	0	3	2	0	n/a	n/a	462
1994	474	6	4	4	1	n/a	n/a	489
1995	468	9	8	5	3	n/a	n/a	493
1996	468	9	8	5	3	n/a	n/a	493
1997	457	13	5	4	3	n/a	n/a	482
1998	426	7	3	3	3	n/a	n/a	442
1999	455	10	2	4	0	n/a	n/a	471
2000	355	5	2	4	1	n/a	n/a	367
2001	390	5	2	5	0	n/a	n/a	402
2002	459	5	0	10	2	n/a	n/a	476
2003	459	5	0	10	2	n/a	n/a	476
2004	478	7	9	8	4	n/a	n/a	506
2005	458	10	4	4	2	n/a	n/a	478
2006	410	20	5	7	1	n/a	n/a	443
2007	404	15	7	5	5	n/a	n/a	436
2008	395	18	5	8	2	n/a	n/a	428
2009	409	24	8	13	2	n/a	n/a	456
2010	400	22	5	5	2	0	0	434
2011	420	24	4	17	1	0	7	473
2012	435	15	6	17	0	0	10	483
2013	541	13	7	22	0	1	10	594
2014	541	17	5	20	1	3	18	605
2015	530	20	5	24	1	2	22	604
2016	556	20	4	25	1	0	30	636
2017	570	18	7	21	1	0	39	656
2018	560	27	3	20	0	0	37	647
2019	578	24	5	22	0	0	46	675
2020	563	27	3	23	0	0	44	660
2021	583	34	3	31	1	0	43	695
2022	552	36	3	31	1	1	47	671
2023	548	32	2	38	2	2	44	668

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 Vernon Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	361	25.9	13.9	12.5
1989	341	25.5	13.3	8.8
1990	325	25.0	13.0	11.1
1991	327	25.0	13.0	14.1
1992	470	36.0	13.0	11.5
1993	462	34.3	13.5	13.4
1994	489	32.4	15.1	11.5
1995	493	31.7	15.6	13.6
1996	493	31.7	15.6	13.6
1997	482	34.5	14.0	14.1
1998	442	29.4	15.0	14.5
1999	471	36.0	13.1	19.7
2000	367	26.5	13.8	16.9
2001	402	27.6	14.6	16.2
2002	476	33.1	14.4	16
2003	476	33.1	14.4	16
2004	506	38.7	13.1	18
2005	478	39.1	12.2	23.8
2006	443	36.1	12.3	22.8
2007	436	34.0	12.8	29.4
2008	428	34.1	12.6	29.4
2009	456	37.5	12.2	34.6
2010	434	35.8	12.1	28.8
2011	473	38.5	12.2	30.4
2012	483	37.2	12.9	28.4
2013	594	46.1	12.8	27.6
2014	605	46.5	12.9	28.8
2015	604	42.0	14.3	30
2016	636	39.0	16.3	28.6
2017	656	40.2	16.3	29.6
2018	647	37.8	17.1	30
2019	675	36.8	18.3	31.9
2020	660	37.8	17.4	35.3
2021	695	37.7	18.4	34.5
2022	671	40.7	16.4	38.9
2023	668	42.7	15.6	39.7

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 Vernon Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	361	25.9	13.9	12.5
1989	341	25.5	13.3	8.8
1990	325	25.0	13.0	11.1
1991	327	25.0	13.0	14.1
1992	470	36.0	13.0	11.5
1993	462	34.3	13.5	13.4
1994	489	32.4	15.1	11.5
1995	493	31.7	15.6	13.6
1996	493	31.7	15.6	13.6
1997	482	34.5	14.0	14.1
1998	442	29.4	15.0	14.5
1999	471	36.0	13.1	19.7
2000	367	26.5	13.8	16.9
2001	402	27.6	14.6	16.2
2002	476	33.1	14.4	16
2003	476	33.1	14.4	16
2004	506	38.7	13.1	18
2005	478	39.1	12.2	23.8
2006	443	36.1	12.3	22.8
2007	436	34.0	12.8	29.4
2008	428	34.1	12.6	29.4
2009	456	37.5	12.2	34.6
2010	434	35.8	12.1	28.8
2011	473	38.5	12.2	30.4
2012	483	37.2	12.9	28.4
2013	594	46.1	12.8	27.6
2014	605	46.5	12.9	28.8
2015	604	42.0	14.3	30
2016	636	39.0	16.3	28.6
2017	656	40.2	16.3	29.6
2018	647	37.8	17.1	30
2019	675	36.8	18.3	31.9
2020	660	37.8	17.4	35.3
2021	695	37.7	18.4	34.5
2022	671	40.7	16.4	38.9
2023	668	42.7	15.6	39.7

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 Vernon Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$388 (3.3%)	$11,527 (96.8%)	$11,914

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Vernon 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 124^th of 342 Middle schools	Ranks 237^th of 334 Middle schools	34.7%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
5th Grade English Language Arts (Vernon Middle School)	70.8	60.5	10.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Marion Independent School District)	70.8	60.5	10.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	67.3	68.3	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Vernon Middle School)	69.6	75	5.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Marion Independent School District)	69.6	75	5.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	69.4	71.3	1.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Vernon Middle School)	62.7	60.4	2.3%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Marion Independent School District)	62.7	60.4	2.3%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	67.5	72.7	5.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Vernon Middle School)	72.2	66	6.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Marion Independent School District)	72.2	66	6.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	69.4	69.9	0.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Vernon Middle School)	73.4	70.9	2.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Marion Independent School District)	73.4	70.9	2.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	69.9	74.2	4.3%
7th Grade Mathematics (Vernon Middle School)	79.7	69.7	10%
7th Grade Mathematics (Marion Independent School District)	79.7	69.7	10%
7th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	70.1	68.9	1.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Vernon Middle School)	75.6	69.5	6.1%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Marion Independent School District)	75.6	69.5	6.1%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	69.5	76	6.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Vernon Middle School)	83.3	70.6	12.7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Marion Independent School District)	83.3	70.6	12.7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	71.8	72	0.2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	675	668	1%
African American	24	32	33.3%
American Indian	0	2
Asian	5	2	60%
Hispanic	22	38	72.7%
Pacific Islander	0	2
White	578	548	5.2%
Two or More Races	46	44	4.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	31.9%	39.7%	7.8%

Schools Near Vernon Middle School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				ISASP English Language Arts (2024)				ISASP Mathematics (2024)				ISASP Science (2024)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISASP English Language Arts 5th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 6th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 7th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 8th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 5th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 6th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 7th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 8th Grade	ISASP Science 5th Grade	ISASP Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Vernon Middle School	Public	5-8	1350 4th Avenue	Marion	52302	Linn County	Marion Independent School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 377-9401	668	43	15.6	39.7%	548 (82.0%)	32 (4.8%)	38 (5.7%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	44 (6.6%)	54.2	177^th of 337 public middle schools	47.5%		37.4	237^th of 334 public middle schools	29.0%	60	73.6	77.4	76.5	82.8	76.8	76.8	72.1	66.7	55.2	72.4	$11,914	$388	$11,527
Excelsior Middle School	Public	7-8	3555 N 10th St	Marion	52302	Linn County	Linn-Mar Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 447-3130	617	46	13.2	27.6%	508 (82.3%)	28 (4.5%)	29 (4.7%)	13 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (6.3%)	75.4	62^nd of 337 public middle schools	81.6%		71.8	75^th of 334 public middle schools	77.5%	13			86.5	86.6			82.3	83.1		74.4	$13,096	$300	$12,796
Boulder Peak Intermediate School	Public	5-6	3920 35th Avenue	Marion	52302	Linn County	Linn-Mar Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 447-3001	586	39	14.8	27.6%	471 (80.4%)	31 (5.3%)	29 (4.9%)	17 (2.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (6.3%)								(n/a)	69.4	84.8			70.0	82.1			58.8
Harding Middle School	Public	6-8	4801 Golf ST NE	Cedar Rapids	52405	Linn County	Cedar Rapids Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 558-2254	713	46	15.3	42.9%	472 (66.2%)	74 (10.4%)	66 (9.3%)	19 (2.7%)	3 (0.4%)	5 (0.7%)	73 (10.2%)	53.8	178^th of 337 public middle schools	47.2%		60.6	140^th of 334 public middle schools	58.1%	38		66.7	82.0	83.7		74.6	71.6	81.4		62.9	$14,559	$562	$13,997
Oak Ridge Middle School	Public	7-8	4901 Alburnett Road	Marion	52302	Linn County	Linn-Mar Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 447-3410	526	39	13.5	18.3%	387 (73.6%)	31 (5.9%)	27 (5.1%)	60 (11.4%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	19 (3.6%)	72.9	72^nd of 337 public middle schools	78.6%		79.6	40^th of 334 public middle schools	88.0%	32			87.8	86.4			79.1	80.4		73.5	$12,711	$282	$12,430
Hazel Point Intermediate School	Public	5-6	453 Echo Hill Road	Marion	52302	Linn County	Linn-Mar Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 447-3001	540	38	14.1	20.2%	378 (70.0%)	30 (5.6%)	37 (6.9%)	70 (13.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.6%)	22 (4.1%)								(n/a)	84.8	90.0			84.8	83.8			74.0
Franklin Middle School	Public	6-8	300 20th ST NE	Cedar Rapids	52402	Linn County	Cedar Rapids Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 558-2452	537	33	16.4	55.7%	322 (60.0%)	107 (19.9%)	28 (5.2%)	7 (1.3%)	2 (0.4%)	2 (0.4%)	67 (12.5%)	18	298^th of 337 public middle schools	11.6%		16.7	296^th of 334 public middle schools	11.4%	2		63.2	55.7	63.0		45.1	60.1	63.8		63.8	$15,204	$665	$14,539
McKinley STEAM Academy	Public	6-8	620 10th ST SE	Cedar Rapids	52403	Linn County	Cedar Rapids Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 558-2348	448	32	14.0	52.2%	254 (56.7%)	101 (22.5%)	36 (8.0%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	52 (11.6%)	14.6	308^th of 337 public middle schools	8.6%		20.8	289^th of 334 public middle schools	13.5%	19		70.7	64.2	67.8		48.0	48.6	53.0		54.3	$16,456	$251	$16,204
Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy	Public	6-8	300 13th ST NW	Cedar Rapids	52405	Linn County	Cedar Rapids Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 558-2153	510	39	13.0	68.6%	215 (42.2%)	178 (34.9%)	45 (8.8%)	9 (1.8%)	2 (0.4%)	11 (2.2%)	49 (9.6%)	11.7	315^th of 337 public middle schools	6.5%		15.6	298^th of 334 public middle schools	10.8%	17		57.1	65.8	73.4		38.5	38.7	59.0		46.9	$15,027	$360	$14,667
Cedar Rapids Virtual Academy Middle	Public, Virtual	6-8	2500 Egewood Rd	Cedar Rapids	52405	Linn County	Cedar Rapids Community School District	No	(n/a)	Yes	No	(319) 558-3427	47	3	15.6	63.8%	28 (59.6%)	8 (17.0%)	4 (8.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (12.8%)	4.6	322^nd of 337 public middle schools	4.5%		0.9	330^th of 334 public middle schools	1.2%	8				65.0				33.3		30.0

Frequently Asked Questions about Vernon Middle School

Is Vernon Middle School a good school?

Vernon Middle School ranks 177^th of 337 Iowa middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What district is Vernon Middle School in?

Marion Independent School District

What high school do graduates of Vernon Middle School attend?

Students who attend Vernon Middle School usually go on to attend Marion High School

What is the racial makeup of Vernon Middle School?

Students at Vernon Middle School are 82% White, 7% Two or more races, 6% Hispanic, 5% African American.

How many students attend Vernon Middle School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 668 students attended Vernon Middle 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.