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Spirit Lake Middle School

Summary:

Spirit Lake Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 5-8 in the Spirit Lake Community School District in Spirit Lake, Iowa, with a student population of 358 and a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Spirit Lake Middle School consistently outperforms 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 8th-grade students scored 83.7% proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 77.5%, and 87% proficient or better in Mathematics, compared to the state average of 73.2%. Over the past 10 years, the school has consistently ranked in the top 30% of Iowa middle schools, with a high ranking of 43 out of 327 schools in the 2016-2017 school year. Additionally, Spirit Lake Middle School has a lower percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch compared to some nearby schools, such as Estherville Lincoln Central Middle School (52.56% in 2022-2023) and Spencer Middle School (43% in 2022-2023), with a rate of 24.3% in the 2022-2023 school year.

The consistent academic excellence at Spirit Lake Middle School is a testament to the school's effective teaching practices and the dedication of its staff. While the school's student population is predominantly White, this lack of diversity may be an area for the school to consider addressing, as exposure to diverse perspectives can be beneficial for student development. When compared to nearby middle schools, such as Estherville Lincoln Central Middle School, Spirit Lake Middle School stands out as a higher-performing institution, with higher test scores and a higher overall ranking.


Detail:

Public 5-8

 609 28th St
       Spirit Lake, IA  51360

(712) 336-1370

District: Spirit Lake Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
73rd of 337 Iowa Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,257 Help


Students who attend Spirit Lake Middle School usually attend:

High:    Spirit Lake High School

Feeder schools for Spirit Lake Middle School:

Elementary:    Spirit Lake Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.2 Help
Number of students:  358

Racial breakdown:

White:
87.7%
Hispanic:
6.1%
Two or more races:
5.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  24.3% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Spirit Lake Middle School ranks better than 78.3% of middle schools in Iowa. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 72.25. (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 Spirit Lake Middle School is $12,257.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Spirit Lake Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Spirit Lake Middle School 73rd of 337 Iowa public middle schools. (See Spirit Lake Middle School in the ranking list.)

Spirit Lake Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Spirit Lake Community School District 91st of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Spirit Lake Middle School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 79.52 26th 349 92.6%
2013 78.41 32nd 350 90.9%
2014 72.61 68th 337 79.8%
2015 77.00 46th 349 86.8%
2016 61.01 135th 343 60.6%
2017 77.35 43rd 327 86.9%
2018 70.06 76th 318 76.1%
2019 75.01 55th 342 83.9%
2021 66.50 100th 324 69.1%
2022 79.26 44th 337 86.9%
2023 69.34 90th 334 73.1%
2024 72.25 73rd 337 78.3%
See the entire list of Iowa Middle School Rankings!

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

Spirit Lake 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 Spirit Lake 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 174 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 174
1989 182 0 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 183
1990 183 0 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 184
1991 192 0 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 194
1992 404 0 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 405
1993 424 0 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 425
1994 411 0 4 2 0 n/a n/a 0 417
1995 391 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 391
1996 391 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 391
1997 401 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 401
1998 426 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 426
1999 406 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 406
2000 426 0 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 431
2001 414 3 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 419
2002 431 1 1 3 1 n/a n/a 0 437
2003 431 1 1 3 1 n/a n/a 0 437
2004 390 2 2 4 2 n/a n/a 0 400
2005 388 1 4 2 2 n/a n/a 0 397
2006 369 0 7 2 1 n/a n/a 0 379
2007 351 2 7 0 2 n/a n/a 0 362
2008 382 2 6 4 1 n/a n/a 0 395
2009 363 2 4 6 2 n/a n/a 0 377
2010 393 4 5 4 1 0 1 0 408
2011 388 5 4 11 0 0 4 0 412
2012 384 8 4 17 0 0 4 0 417
2013 364 2 2 18 0 0 5 0 391
2014 334 2 3 10 0 0 4 0 353
2015 309 2 3 4 0 0 5 0 323
2016 327 2 5 8 1 0 10 0 353
2017 317 0 3 7 1 0 11 0 339
2018 318 3 6 11 1 0 14 0 353
2019 337 4 5 11 2 0 13 0 372
2020 311 2 3 13 2 0 13 0 344
2021 331 0 3 16 1 0 12 0 363
2022 309 0 2 16 2 0 14 0 343
2023 314 2 0 22 0 0 20 0 358

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 Spirit Lake Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 174 13.7 12.7 16.1
1989 183 12.7 14.4 14.2
1990 184 12.7 14.4 10.9
1991 194 12.7 15.2 12.9
1992 405 21.0 19.2 6.2
1993 425 19.5 21.8 13.4
1994 417 24.5 17.0 15.1
1995 391 23.7 16.5 15.3
1996 391 23.7 16.5 15.3
1997 401 23.7 16.9 16.7
1998 426 24.7 17.2 16
1999 406 25.5 15.9 21.7
2000 431 28.1 15.3 16
2001 419 30.9 13.6 14.1
2002 437 31.1 14.1 15.1
2003 437 31.1 14.1 15.1
2004 400 31.5 12.7 14.3
2005 397 32.6 12.2 14.1
2006 379 26.6 14.2 16.6
2007 362 25.6 14.1 16
2008 395 26.7 14.8 18.7
2009 377 28.0 13.5 26.5
2010 408 27.9 14.5 25.5
2011 412 26.3 15.6 25.5
2012 417 25.8 16.1 21.6
2013 391 25.6 15.2 24.3
2014 353 21.6 16.2 26.6
2015 323 22.0 14.6 23.8
2016 353 23.0 15.3 25.5
2017 339 23.0 14.7 27.4
2018 353 21.5 16.3 24.9
2019 372 21.7 17.1 30.6
2020 344 21.6 15.8 33.7
2021 363 22.4 16.2 24.8
2022 343 22.9 14.9 21
2023 358 22.0 16.2 24.3

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 Spirit Lake Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 174 13.7 12.7 16.1
1989 183 12.7 14.4 14.2
1990 184 12.7 14.4 10.9
1991 194 12.7 15.2 12.9
1992 405 21.0 19.2 6.2
1993 425 19.5 21.8 13.4
1994 417 24.5 17.0 15.1
1995 391 23.7 16.5 15.3
1996 391 23.7 16.5 15.3
1997 401 23.7 16.9 16.7
1998 426 24.7 17.2 16
1999 406 25.5 15.9 21.7
2000 431 28.1 15.3 16
2001 419 30.9 13.6 14.1
2002 437 31.1 14.1 15.1
2003 437 31.1 14.1 15.1
2004 400 31.5 12.7 14.3
2005 397 32.6 12.2 14.1
2006 379 26.6 14.2 16.6
2007 362 25.6 14.1 16
2008 395 26.7 14.8 18.7
2009 377 28.0 13.5 26.5
2010 408 27.9 14.5 25.5
2011 412 26.3 15.6 25.5
2012 417 25.8 16.1 21.6
2013 391 25.6 15.2 24.3
2014 353 21.6 16.2 26.6
2015 323 22.0 14.6 23.8
2016 353 23.0 15.3 25.5
2017 339 23.0 14.7 27.4
2018 353 21.5 16.3 24.9
2019 372 21.7 17.1 30.6
2020 344 21.6 15.8 33.7
2021 363 22.4 16.2 24.8
2022 343 22.9 14.9 21
2023 358 22.0 16.2 24.3

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 Spirit Lake Middle School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $62 (0.5%) $12,195 (99.5%) $12,257

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Spirit Lake 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 55th of 342 Middle schoolsRanks 90th of 334 Middle schools
 10.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
5th Grade English Language Arts (Spirit Lake Middle School)64.666.3
 1.7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Spirit Lake Community School District)64.666.3
 1.7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.368.3
 1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Spirit Lake Middle School)81.791
 9.3%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Spirit Lake Community School District)81.791
 9.3%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.471.3
 1.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Spirit Lake Middle School)72.184.3
 12.2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Spirit Lake Community School District)72.184.3
 12.2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.572.7
 5.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Spirit Lake Middle School)76.783.3
 6.6%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Spirit Lake Community School District)76.783.3
 6.6%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.469.9
 0.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Spirit Lake Middle School)74.465.2
 9.2%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Spirit Lake Community School District)74.465.2
 9.2%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.974.2
 4.3%
7th Grade Mathematics (Spirit Lake Middle School)8175
 6%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Spirit Lake Community School District)8175
 6%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)70.168.9
 1.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Spirit Lake Middle School)85.190.4
 5.3%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Spirit Lake Community School District)85.190.4
 5.3%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.576
 6.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Spirit Lake Middle School)86.883.1
 3.7%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Spirit Lake Community School District)86.883.1
 3.7%
   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 Students372358
 3.8%
African American42
 50%
American Indian20
 100%
Asian50
 100%
Hispanic1122
 100%
Pacific Islander00
White337314
 6.8%
Two or More Races1320
 53.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients30.6%24.3%
 6.3%

Schools Near Spirit Lake Middle School








Frequently Asked Questions about Spirit Lake Middle School

In the 2022-23 school year, 358 students attended Spirit Lake Middle School.

Students at Spirit Lake Middle School are 88% White, 6% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races.

Spirit Lake Middle School ranks 73rd of 337 Iowa middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Spirit Lake Middle School usually go on to attend Spirit Lake 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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