Southeast Polk Junior High

Summary:

Southeast Polk Junior High is a public middle school located in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, serving 1,088 students in grades 7-8. The school is part of the Southeast Polk Community School District, which is ranked 112 out of 309 districts in the state and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Southeast Polk Junior High consistently performs above the state average in ISASP (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress) test scores for English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. In the 2023-2024 school year, the school's proficiency rates were 79.7% in 7th grade ELA, 77.2% in 8th grade ELA, 76.3% in 7th grade Math, and 71.2% in 8th grade Math, all of which are higher than the state averages. The school's performance has been relatively stable over the past few years, with its statewide ranking ranging from 62nd to 202nd out of 337 Iowa middle schools.

Southeast Polk Junior High has a more diverse student population compared to the nearby Saydel Community School District and Des Moines Independent Community School District schools, with a higher percentage of African American (9.38%) and Hispanic (9.56%) students. The school's racial makeup has become more diverse over the past few years, with the percentage of White students decreasing from 77.34% in 2020-2021 to 72.98% in 2022-2023. Additionally, the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch at Southeast Polk Junior High has increased from 32.53% in 2020-2021 to 36.76% in 2022-2023, indicating a higher proportion of economically disadvantaged students.


Detail:

Public 7-8

 8325 NE University Ave.
       Pleasant Hill, IA  50327


(515) 967-5509

District: Southeast Polk Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
202nd of 337 Iowa Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,053 Help


Students who attend Southeast Polk Junior High usually attend:

High:    Southeast Polk High School

Feeder schools for Southeast Polk Junior High:

Elementary:    Altoona Elementary
    Centennial Elementary
    Clay Elementary
    Delaware Elementary
    More...

Student/teacher ratio:  16.4 Help
Number of students:  1,088

Racial breakdown:

White:
73.0%
Hispanic:
9.6%
African American:
9.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  36.8% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Southeast Polk Junior High ranks worse than 59.9% of middle schools in Iowa. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 49.19. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (73%), Hispanic (9.6%), African American (9.4%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 36.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Southeast Polk Junior High is 16.4. (See more...)
Help
Compare Southeast Polk Junior High employs 66 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Southeast Polk Junior High is $13,053.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Southeast Polk Junior High was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Southeast Polk Junior High 202nd of 337 Iowa public middle schools. (See Southeast Polk Junior High in the ranking list.)

Southeast Polk Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Southeast Polk Community School District 112th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Southeast Polk Junior High

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 56.45 151st 349 56.7%
2013 60.52 140th 350 60.0%
2014 48.71 193rd 337 42.7%
2015 53.01 182nd 349 47.9%
2016 52.07 185th 343 46.1%
2017 57.27 143rd 327 56.3%
2018 67.61 93rd 318 70.8%
2019 72.85 62nd 342 81.9%
2021 66.81 97th 324 70.1%
2022 64.25 114th 337 66.2%
2023 59.32 150th 334 55.1%
2024 49.19 202nd 337 40.1%
See the entire list of Iowa Middle School Rankings!

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

Southeast Polk Junior High Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    




Data source: Iowa Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Southeast Polk Junior High

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 448 0 5 4 1 n/a n/a 0 458
1989 445 1 6 2 1 n/a n/a 0 455
1990 469 0 9 1 1 n/a n/a 0 480
1991 488 2 8 4 1 n/a n/a 0 503
1992 520 5 8 7 0 n/a n/a 0 540
1993 589 5 4 5 1 n/a n/a 0 604
1994 616 1 2 4 5 n/a n/a 0 628
1995 685 7 4 10 4 n/a n/a 0 710
1996 685 7 4 10 4 n/a n/a 0 710
1997 677 3 6 7 4 n/a n/a 0 697
1998 661 3 10 11 7 n/a n/a 0 692
1999 656 3 9 7 7 n/a n/a 0 682
2000 639 3 11 12 3 n/a n/a 0 668
2001 652 3 2 18 3 n/a n/a 0 678
2002 652 12 10 14 2 n/a n/a 0 690
2003 652 12 10 14 2 n/a n/a 0 690
2004 759 10 18 18 1 n/a n/a 0 806
2005 756 15 18 19 5 n/a n/a 0 813
2006 782 20 11 14 1 n/a n/a 0 828
2007 806 19 17 18 3 n/a n/a 0 863
2008 765 25 14 35 2 n/a n/a 0 841
2009 771 21 21 43 5 n/a n/a 0 861
2010 842 21 21 46 3 0 8 0 941
2011 886 15 21 57 0 0 23 0 1002
2012 880 18 18 57 2 0 28 0 1003
2013 842 27 17 53 2 2 32 0 975
2014 856 30 18 62 1 4 37 0 1008
2015 853 34 22 57 1 3 40 0 1010
2016 874 38 21 66 1 3 33 0 1036
2017 846 40 16 71 0 3 38 0 1014
2018 840 49 24 81 0 3 52 0 1049
2019 929 56 31 94 1 5 53 0 1169
2020 930 67 24 95 1 3 50 0 1170
2021 901 70 17 118 2 4 53 0 1165
2022 837 88 18 110 4 1 55 0 1113
2023 794 102 25 104 1 1 61 0 1088

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 Southeast Polk Junior High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 458 24.0 19.0 n/a
1989 455 24.4 18.6 7.3
1990 480 23.4 20.5 0
1991 503 29.9 16.8 5.4
1992 540 28.0 19.2 6.1
1993 604 38.0 15.9 2.6
1994 628 40.0 15.7 6.2
1995 710 45.0 15.8 9.2
1996 710 45.0 15.8 9.2
1997 697 47.0 14.8 9.9
1998 692 47.0 14.7 7.7
1999 682 43.0 15.9 15.8
2000 668 47.5 14.1 15.1
2001 678 49.5 13.7 11.8
2002 690 53.5 12.9 9.3
2003 690 53.5 12.9 9.3
2004 806 56.0 14.4 13.3
2005 813 56.0 14.5 15.7
2006 828 55.8 14.8 16.4
2007 863 52.0 16.6 19.5
2008 841 53.0 15.9 20.9
2009 861 61.0 14.1 22.1
2010 941 59.0 15.9 28.3
2011 1002 56.0 17.8 29
2012 1003 58.0 17.2 26.6
2013 975 56.8 17.1 29.9
2014 1008 57.0 17.6 29.3
2015 1010 58.0 17.4 29.5
2016 1036 62.0 16.7 27
2017 1014 63.0 16.0 25.3
2018 1049 62.0 16.9 30.4
2019 1169 62.0 18.8 33
2020 1170 64.0 18.2 34.2
2021 1165 64.0 18.2 32.5
2022 1113 64.0 17.3 33.3
2023 1088 66.0 16.4 36.8

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 Southeast Polk Junior High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 458 24.0 19.0 n/a
1989 455 24.4 18.6 7.3
1990 480 23.4 20.5 0
1991 503 29.9 16.8 5.4
1992 540 28.0 19.2 6.1
1993 604 38.0 15.9 2.6
1994 628 40.0 15.7 6.2
1995 710 45.0 15.8 9.2
1996 710 45.0 15.8 9.2
1997 697 47.0 14.8 9.9
1998 692 47.0 14.7 7.7
1999 682 43.0 15.9 15.8
2000 668 47.5 14.1 15.1
2001 678 49.5 13.7 11.8
2002 690 53.5 12.9 9.3
2003 690 53.5 12.9 9.3
2004 806 56.0 14.4 13.3
2005 813 56.0 14.5 15.7
2006 828 55.8 14.8 16.4
2007 863 52.0 16.6 19.5
2008 841 53.0 15.9 20.9
2009 861 61.0 14.1 22.1
2010 941 59.0 15.9 28.3
2011 1002 56.0 17.8 29
2012 1003 58.0 17.2 26.6
2013 975 56.8 17.1 29.9
2014 1008 57.0 17.6 29.3
2015 1010 58.0 17.4 29.5
2016 1036 62.0 16.7 27
2017 1014 63.0 16.0 25.3
2018 1049 62.0 16.9 30.4
2019 1169 62.0 18.8 33
2020 1170 64.0 18.2 34.2
2021 1165 64.0 18.2 32.5
2022 1113 64.0 17.3 33.3
2023 1088 66.0 16.4 36.8

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 Southeast Polk Junior High

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $388 (3.0%) $12,665 (97.0%) $13,053

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Southeast Polk Junior High

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 62nd of 342 Middle schoolsRanks 150th of 334 Middle schools
 26.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
7th Grade English Language Arts (Southeast Polk Junior High)76.678.9
 2.3%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Southeast Polk Community School District)76.678.9
 2.3%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.974.2
 4.3%
7th Grade Mathematics (Southeast Polk Junior High)76.674.9
 1.7%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Southeast Polk Community School District)76.674.9
 1.7%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)70.168.9
 1.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Southeast Polk Junior High)7879.8
 1.8%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Southeast Polk Community School District)7879.8
 1.8%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.576
 6.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Southeast Polk Junior High)8376.1
 6.9%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Southeast Polk Community School District)8376.1
 6.9%
   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 Students11691088
 6.9%
African American56102
 82.1%
American Indian11
Asian3125
 19.4%
Hispanic94104
 10.6%
Pacific Islander51
 80%
White929794
 14.5%
Two or More Races5361
 15.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients33%36.8%
 3.7%


Schools Near Southeast Polk Junior High









Frequently Asked Questions about Southeast Polk Junior High

Students who attend Southeast Polk Junior High usually go on to attend Southeast Polk High School

Southeast Polk Junior High ranks 202nd of 337 Iowa middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students at Southeast Polk Junior High are 73% White, 10% Hispanic, 9% African American, 6% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,088 students attended Southeast Polk Junior High.


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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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