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Pella Middle School

Summary:

Pella Middle School is a high-performing public middle school serving grades 7-8 in the Pella Community School District in Pella, Iowa, with a student population of 382. The school has consistently ranked among the top middle schools in Iowa, earning a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger and a statewide ranking as high as 2nd out of 324 middle schools in 2020-2021.

Pella Middle School's academic performance is exceptional, with students consistently outperforming the state averages in the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) across all subject areas and grade levels. For example, in 2023-2024, 90.6% of 7th graders and 87.8% of 8th graders were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state averages of 77.3% and 77.5%, respectively. Similarly, in Mathematics, 85.6% of 7th graders and 90.6% of 8th graders were proficient or better, compared to the state averages of 69.9% and 73.2%. The school also maintains a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 15.2 to 16.0 over the past three school years, suggesting a more personalized learning environment.

While Pella Middle School outperforms the nearby Pleasantville Middle School, Oskaloosa Middle School, and Lynnville-Sully Middle School in academic metrics, the other schools in the area have their own strengths. For example, Lynnville-Sully Middle School, despite its smaller size, also ranks among the top middle schools in the state, with a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. Additionally, Pella Middle School has a lower percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (20.68% in 2022-2023) compared to the nearby schools, which may indicate a more affluent student population, though this is not the sole determinant of academic success.


Detail:

Public 7-8

 613 E 13th
       Pella, IA  50219

(641) 628-4784

District: Pella Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
19th of 337 Iowa Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,183 Help


Students who attend Pella Middle School usually attend:

High:    Pella High School

Feeder schools for Pella Middle School:

Elementary:    Lincoln Elementary School
    Madison Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.3 Help
Number of students:  382

Racial breakdown:

White:
88.0%
Hispanic:
4.7%
Two or more races:
4.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  20.7% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Pella Middle School ranks better than 94.4% of middle schools in Iowa. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 85.91. (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 Pella Middle School is $12,183.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Pella Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Pella Middle School 19th of 337 Iowa public middle schools. (See Pella Middle School in the ranking list.)



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Rank History for Pella Middle School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 85.88 10th 349 97.1%
2013 83.52 14th 350 96.0%
2014 81.07 27th 337 92.0%
2015 82.28 24th 349 93.1%
2016 73.46 67th 343 80.5%
2017 80.63 28th 327 91.4%
2018 91.25 2nd 318 99.4%
2019 90.19 8th 342 97.7%
2021 93.80 2nd 324 99.4%
2022 92.74 3rd 337 99.1%
2023 85.62 13th 334 96.1%
2024 85.91 19th 337 94.4%
See the entire list of Iowa Middle School Rankings!

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

Pella 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 Pella 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 357 0 15 4 0 n/a n/a 0 376
1989 387 0 15 2 0 n/a n/a 0 404
1990 365 0 17 1 0 n/a n/a 0 383
1991 378 0 14 6 0 n/a n/a 0 398
1992 392 0 11 6 0 n/a n/a 0 409
1993 427 0 19 5 0 n/a n/a 0 451
1994 431 1 27 4 0 n/a n/a 0 463
1995 434 1 22 3 0 n/a n/a 0 460
1996 434 1 22 3 0 n/a n/a 0 460
1997 453 1 20 1 0 n/a n/a 0 475
1998 429 2 24 4 0 n/a n/a 0 459
1999 453 3 20 3 0 n/a n/a 0 479
2000 438 5 17 7 0 n/a n/a 0 467
2001 473 5 15 0 0 n/a n/a 0 493
2002 464 2 22 4 0 n/a n/a 0 492
2003 464 2 22 4 0 n/a n/a 0 492
2004 436 2 11 10 1 n/a n/a 0 460
2005 440 2 20 4 0 n/a n/a 0 466
2006 467 5 19 4 0 n/a n/a 0 495
2007 487 1 21 10 1 n/a n/a 0 520
2008 309 1 15 6 1 n/a n/a 0 332
2009 323 1 14 3 1 n/a n/a 0 342
2010 312 2 8 4 0 0 0 0 326
2011 326 3 6 8 0 0 2 0 345
2012 346 4 9 11 0 0 4 0 374
2013 321 5 11 6 0 0 6 0 349
2014 287 6 11 2 0 0 2 0 308
2015 291 8 16 2 0 0 4 0 321
2016 300 11 18 4 0 0 3 0 336
2017 300 7 13 6 2 0 0 0 328
2018 316 4 11 9 2 0 4 0 346
2019 345 8 8 8 0 0 10 0 379
2020 333 12 10 6 1 0 8 0 370
2021 325 13 13 9 1 0 9 0 370
2022 347 6 10 17 0 1 18 0 399
2023 336 4 8 18 0 0 16 0 382

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 Pella Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 376 22.1 17.0 7.7
1989 404 23.4 17.2 9.4
1990 383 23.5 16.2 7
1991 398 24.2 16.4 9
1992 409 23.0 17.7 9
1993 451 24.9 18.1 9.8
1994 463 26.1 17.7 12.5
1995 460 27.0 17.0 8.7
1996 460 27.0 17.0 8.7
1997 475 29.1 16.3 6.5
1998 459 27.4 16.8 8.3
1999 479 27.8 17.2 12.3
2000 467 31.8 14.7 11.8
2001 493 36.6 13.5 12.4
2002 492 28.5 17.3 14.6
2003 492 28.5 17.3 14.6
2004 460 31.8 14.5 14.6
2005 466 35.7 13.1 12.4
2006 495 36.8 13.5 13.3
2007 520 31.5 16.5 15
2008 332 26.1 12.7 15.4
2009 342 26.4 13.0 12.6
2010 326 27.0 12.0 17.2
2011 345 25.8 13.3 21.4
2012 374 27.4 13.6 15
2013 349 25.5 13.6 17.5
2014 308 25.7 11.9 15.6
2015 321 26.0 12.3 19
2016 336 24.0 14.0 18.5
2017 328 25.1 13.0 19.2
2018 346 22.0 15.7 12.4
2019 379 23.7 15.9 18.7
2020 370 24.2 15.2 16.2
2021 370 24.2 15.2 15.9
2022 399 24.8 16.0 19.8
2023 382 24.9 15.3 20.7

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 Pella Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 376 22.1 17.0 7.7
1989 404 23.4 17.2 9.4
1990 383 23.5 16.2 7
1991 398 24.2 16.4 9
1992 409 23.0 17.7 9
1993 451 24.9 18.1 9.8
1994 463 26.1 17.7 12.5
1995 460 27.0 17.0 8.7
1996 460 27.0 17.0 8.7
1997 475 29.1 16.3 6.5
1998 459 27.4 16.8 8.3
1999 479 27.8 17.2 12.3
2000 467 31.8 14.7 11.8
2001 493 36.6 13.5 12.4
2002 492 28.5 17.3 14.6
2003 492 28.5 17.3 14.6
2004 460 31.8 14.5 14.6
2005 466 35.7 13.1 12.4
2006 495 36.8 13.5 13.3
2007 520 31.5 16.5 15
2008 332 26.1 12.7 15.4
2009 342 26.4 13.0 12.6
2010 326 27.0 12.0 17.2
2011 345 25.8 13.3 21.4
2012 374 27.4 13.6 15
2013 349 25.5 13.6 17.5
2014 308 25.7 11.9 15.6
2015 321 26.0 12.3 19
2016 336 24.0 14.0 18.5
2017 328 25.1 13.0 19.2
2018 346 22.0 15.7 12.4
2019 379 23.7 15.9 18.7
2020 370 24.2 15.2 16.2
2021 370 24.2 15.2 15.9
2022 399 24.8 16.0 19.8
2023 382 24.9 15.3 20.7

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 Pella Middle School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $122 (1.0%) $12,060 (99.0%) $12,183

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Pella 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 8th of 342 Middle schoolsRanks 13th of 334 Middle schools
 1.6%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
7th Grade English Language Arts (Pella Middle School)85.589.7
 4.2%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Pella Community School District)85.589.7
 4.2%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.974.2
 4.3%
7th Grade Mathematics (Pella Middle School)91.486.9
 4.5%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Pella Community School District)91.486.9
 4.5%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)70.168.9
 1.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Pella Middle School)83.587.1
 3.6%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Pella Community School District)83.587.1
 3.6%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.576
 6.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Pella Middle School)91.885.6
 6.2%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Pella Community School District)91.885.6
 6.2%
   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 Students379382
 0.8%
African American84
 50%
American Indian00
Asian88
Hispanic818
 125%
Pacific Islander00
White345336
 2.6%
Two or More Races1016
 60%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients18.7%20.7%
 1.9%

Schools Near Pella Middle School








Frequently Asked Questions about Pella Middle School

In the 2022-23 school year, 382 students attended Pella Middle School.

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

Students at Pella Middle School are 88% White, 5% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races, 2% Asian, 1% African American.

Yes. Pella Middle School ranks in the top 5.6% of Iowa middle schools.


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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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