North Polk Middle School

Summary:

North Polk Middle School is a public middle school located in Alleman, Iowa, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 455 students. The school is part of the North Polk Community School District, which is ranked 24th out of 309 districts in Iowa and has a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger.

North Polk Middle School consistently ranks among the top middle schools in Iowa, with a statewide ranking between 4th and 42nd over the past 10 years. The school's students have significantly higher proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science compared to the state averages. In 2023-2024, 92.9% of 8th graders were proficient in ELA, compared to 77.5% statewide, and 92.2% were proficient in Math, compared to 73.2% statewide. Additionally, 81.4% of 8th graders were proficient in Science, compared to 65.5% statewide.

While North Polk Middle School has maintained a high level of academic performance, the school's student population is predominantly white, with 94.29% of students identifying as white in the 2022-2023 school year. This is significantly higher than the racial diversity of nearby schools, such as Harding Middle School (16.64% white) and Meredith Middle School (19.88% white) in the Des Moines Independent Community School District. Additionally, only 9.45% of students at North Polk Middle School are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to 89.47% at Harding Middle School and 83.89% at Meredith Middle School.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 315 NE 141st Ave.
       Alleman, IA  50007


(515) 984-3400

District: North Polk Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
42nd of 337 Iowa Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,145 Help


Students who attend North Polk Middle School usually attend:

High:    North Polk High School

Feeder schools for North Polk Middle School:

Elementary:    North Polk Central Elementary School
    North Polk West Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  17.4 Help
Number of students:  455

Racial breakdown:

White:
94.3%
Hispanic:
2.9%
Two or more races:
1.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  9.5% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details North Polk Middle School ranks better than 87.5% of middle schools in Iowa. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 78.54. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (94.3%), Hispanic (2.9%), two or more races (1.8%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 9.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at North Polk Middle School is 17.4. (See more...)
Help
Compare North Polk Middle School employs 26 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at North Polk Middle School is $11,145.
Schooldigger Rankings:

North Polk Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks North Polk Middle School 42nd of 337 Iowa public middle schools. (See North Polk Middle School in the ranking list.)

North Polk Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks North Polk Community School District 24th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for North Polk Middle School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 76.61 42nd 349 88.0%
2013 74.30 54th 350 84.6%
2014 77.64 35th 337 89.6%
2015 81.47 28th 349 92.0%
2016 86.40 11th 343 96.8%
2017 86.22 7th 327 97.9%
2018 90.63 5th 318 98.4%
2019 93.81 4th 342 98.8%
2021 85.68 17th 324 94.8%
2022 86.49 15th 337 95.5%
2023 88.04 8th 334 97.6%
2024 78.54 42nd 337 87.5%
See the entire list of Iowa Middle School Rankings!

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

North Polk 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 North Polk Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2009 185 2 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 189
2010 179 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 185
2011 173 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 177
2012 171 1 0 3 1 0 3 0 179
2013 178 2 2 3 0 0 4 0 189
2014 292 2 2 4 0 0 7 0 307
2015 323 1 3 6 0 0 6 0 339
2016 317 1 3 6 0 0 8 0 335
2017 355 3 1 5 0 0 8 0 372
2018 370 1 1 5 0 0 8 0 385
2019 403 1 1 14 0 0 10 0 429
2020 411 3 2 15 0 1 9 0 441
2021 414 6 3 17 0 1 11 0 452
2022 403 6 0 12 0 1 9 0 431
2023 429 3 1 13 0 0 8 1 455

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 North Polk Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2009 189 22.0 8.6 5.3
2010 185 14.6 12.6 12.4
2011 177 11.3 15.5 11.9
2012 179 10.2 17.4 15.6
2013 189 11.5 16.3 11.1
2014 307 22.0 13.9 12.1
2015 339 22.0 15.4 13
2016 335 23.0 14.5 10.1
2017 372 22.6 16.4 12.6
2018 385 22.8 16.8 8.3
2019 429 24.1 17.8 11.4
2020 441 25.1 17.5 10.7
2021 452 25.5 17.6 13.3
2022 431 26.0 16.5 7.4
2023 455 26.0 17.4 9.5

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 North Polk Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2009 189 22.0 8.6 5.3
2010 185 14.6 12.6 12.4
2011 177 11.3 15.5 11.9
2012 179 10.2 17.4 15.6
2013 189 11.5 16.3 11.1
2014 307 22.0 13.9 12.1
2015 339 22.0 15.4 13
2016 335 23.0 14.5 10.1
2017 372 22.6 16.4 12.6
2018 385 22.8 16.8 8.3
2019 429 24.1 17.8 11.4
2020 441 25.1 17.5 10.7
2021 452 25.5 17.6 13.3
2022 431 26.0 16.5 7.4
2023 455 26.0 17.4 9.5

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 North Polk Middle School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $144 (1.3%) $11,001 (98.7%) $11,145

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

Impact of COVID-19 on North Polk 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 4th of 342 Middle schoolsRanks 8th of 334 Middle schools
 1.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (North Polk Middle School)89.491.4
 2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (North Polk Community School District)89.491.4
 2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.572.7
 5.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (North Polk Middle School)87.485.9
 1.5%
   6th Grade Mathematics (North Polk Community School District)87.485.9
 1.5%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.469.9
 0.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (North Polk Middle School)9391.5
 1.5%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (North Polk Community School District)9391.5
 1.5%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.974.2
 4.3%
7th Grade Mathematics (North Polk Middle School)95.879.4
 16.4%
   7th Grade Mathematics (North Polk Community School District)95.879.4
 16.4%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)70.168.9
 1.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (North Polk Middle School)91.793.3
 1.6%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (North Polk Community School District)91.793.3
 1.6%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.576
 6.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (North Polk Middle School)95.594.6
 0.9%
   8th Grade Mathematics (North Polk Community School District)95.594.6
 0.9%
   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 Students429455
 6.1%
African American13
 200%
American Indian00
Asian11
Hispanic1413
 7.1%
Pacific Islander00
White403429
 6.5%
Two or More Races108
 20%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients11.4%9.5%
 2%


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Frequently Asked Questions about North Polk Middle School

Students at North Polk Middle School are 94% White, 3% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races.

North Polk Middle School ranks 42nd of 337 Iowa middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 455 students attended North Polk Middle School.

Students who attend North Polk Middle School usually go on to attend North Polk 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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