For the 2024-25 school year, there are 27 public middle schools serving 18,436 students in Polk County, IA.
The top ranked public middle schools in Polk County, IA are North Polk Middle School, Summit Middle School and Southview Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Polk County, IA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 60% (versus the Iowa public middle school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 68% (versus the 71% statewide average). Middle schools in Polk County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Iowa public middle school average of 25% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Polk County (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
North Polk Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
315 Ne 141st Ave.
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Grades: 6-8
| 455 students
Rank: #22.
Summit Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
9500 Windsor Parkway
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 986-0318
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 986-0318
Grades: 6-7
| 1,112 students
Rank: #33.
Southview Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1020 Sw Cherry St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9635
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9635
Grades: 8-9
| 896 students
Rank: #44.
Cowles Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6401 College Ave
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
(515) 242-7818
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
(515) 242-7818
Grades: PK-8
| 391 students
Rank: #55.
Parkview Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
105 Nw Pleasant St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9640
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9640
Grades: 6-7
| 867 students
Rank: #66.
Prairie Ridge Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1010 Nw Prairie Ridge Dr
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9705
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9705
Grades: 6-7
| 1,025 students
Rank: #77.
Northview Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1302 N Ankeny Blvd
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9700
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9700
Grades: 8-9
| 1,065 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Dc-g Oak View
Magnet School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1300 Sw County Line Rd
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-0105
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-0105
Grades: 7-8
| 578 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Johnston Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
6501 Nw 62nd Ave
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-0476
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-0476
Grades: 8-9
| 1,166 students
Rank: #1010.
Southeast Polk Junior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
8325 Ne University Ave.
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 967-5509
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 967-5509
Grades: 7-8
| 1,088 students
Rank: #1111.
Indian Hills Junior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
9401 Indian Hills Dr
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 633-4700
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 633-4700
Grades: 7-8
| 696 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Stilwell Junior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1601 Vine St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6000
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6000
Grades: 7-8
| 684 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Urbandale Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
7701 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-6600
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-6600
Grades: 6-8
| 894 students
Rank: #1414.
Merrill Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5301 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8448
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8448
Grades: 6-8
| 634 students
Rank: #1515.
Virtual Campus
Magnet School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1800 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-8502
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-8502
Grades: 6-12
| 668 students
Rank: #1616.
Woodside Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
5810 Ne 14th St
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 265-3451
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 265-3451
Grades: 5-8
| 359 students
Rank: #1717.
Callanan Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3010 Center Street
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8101
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8101
Grades: 6-8
| 507 students
Rank: #1818.
Brody Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2501 Park Ave
Des Moines, IA 50321
(515) 242-8443
Des Moines, IA 50321
(515) 242-8443
Grades: 6-8
| 603 students
Rank: #1919.
Mccombs Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
201 Sw County Line Rd
Des Moines, IA 50320
(515) 242-8447
Des Moines, IA 50320
(515) 242-8447
Grades: 6-8
| 654 students
Rank: #2020.
Hoyt Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2700 E 42nd St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8446
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8446
Grades: 6-8
| 486 students
Rank: #2121.
Meredith Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4827 Madison Ave
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-7250
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-7250
Grades: 6-8
| 664 students
Rank: #2222.
Weeks Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
901 East Park Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8449
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8449
Grades: 6-8
| 684 students
Rank: #2323.
Goodrell Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3300 E. 29th Street
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8444
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8444
Grades: 6-8
| 523 students
Rank: #2424.
Harding Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
203 E Euclid Ave
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 242-8445
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 242-8445
Grades: 6-8
| 655 students
Rank: #2525.
Hiatt Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1430 E. University Ave
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-7774
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-7774
Grades: 6-8
| 529 students
Rank: #2626.
Ruby Van Meter
Special Education School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
710 28th St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Grades: K-12
| 113 students
Rank: n/an/a
Bondurant-farrar Junior High School
Magnet School
1201 Grant Street
Bondurant, IA 50035
(515) 967-7819
Bondurant, IA 50035
(515) 967-7819
Grades: 7-8
| 440 students
Polk County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
3720 E 29th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8401
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8401
Grades: PK-5
| 337 students
Bridges (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
1800 Grand
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7552
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7552
Grades: 6-12
| 25 students
1801 16th St
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8645
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8645
Grades: PK
| 99 students
1020 8th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6300
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6300
Grades: K-6
| 259 students
3353 240th Street
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-9747
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-9747
Grades: 9-12
| 458 students
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Grades: 7-12
| 2 students
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Grades: 6-8
| n/a students
Des Moines Public Charter School (Closed 2013)
Charter School
620 8th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7911
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7911
Grades: 7-9
| 117 students
918 Se 11th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Grades: PK-K
| 15 students
6401 College Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Grades: K-5
| 10 students
6401 College Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Grades: 6-8
| 21 students
1800 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Grades: 6-12
| 118 students
1000 Porter Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8409
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8409
Grades: PK-5
| 547 students
The Harbor-southeast Polk Alternative School (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
1301 First Ave N
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 957-8811
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 957-8811
Grades: 9-12
| 57 students
800 42nd St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8414
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8414
Grades: K-5
| 309 students
6301 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5100
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5100
Grades: K-5
| 354 students
2115 E 39th Street
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8418
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8418
Grades: PK-5
| 207 students
1001 Amos Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-7588
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-7588
Grades: PK
| n/a students
Metro West Learning Academy (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
11500 Nw 54th Ave
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-3171
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-3171
Grades: 9-12
| 18 students
2905 Ne 46th Ave
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-3109
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-3109
Grades: 4-5
| 198 students
925 Sw Porter
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Grades: K-5
| 11 students
Orchard Place School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
5412 Sw 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Grades: K-12
| 66 students
415 7th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6600
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6600
Grades: PK-3
| 180 students
Ruby Van Meter School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
710 28th St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Grades: 6-12
| 135 students
Scavo Alternative High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7589
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7589
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Smouse Opportunity School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
2820 Center St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8210
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8210
Grades: PK-8
| 94 students
310 Nw School St
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9670
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9670
Grades: PK-5
| n/a students
1401 E 12th St
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8437
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8437
Grades: PK-5
| 368 students
Youth Homes Of Middle America (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
7085 Nw Beaver Dr
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 276-3473
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 276-3473
Grades: 6-12
| 30 students
1101 9th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Grades: PK-K
| 18 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in Polk County, IA?
The top ranked public middle schools in Polk County, IA include North Polk Middle School, Summit Middle School and Southview Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Polk County?
27 public middle schools are located in Polk County.
What is the racial composition of students in Polk County?
Polk County public middle schools minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Iowa public middle schools average of 25% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Polk County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Polk County include: Indian Hills Junior High School vs. Urbandale Middle School, Callanan Middle School vs. Merrill Middle School, Merrill Middle School vs. Callanan Middle School
Recent Articles
College Application Requirement for High School Graduation? DC Weighs Possibility
The article discusses a proposal in Washington D.C. to make college applications a requirement for high school graduation. It examines the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a policy, including its impact on graduation rates and college attendance. The piece also considers similar initiatives in other states and the debate surrounding this approach
Bribing Students to Get Good Grades: The Debate
This piece explores the controversial practice of offering monetary rewards to students for good grades. It examines studies conducted in various cities, discussing the effectiveness of such programs and the ethical concerns they raise. The article presents arguments from both supporters and critics of this approach to student motivation.
September 27, 2024
Understanding RubricsThis article explores the fundamental principles of rubrics in education, focusing on their role as assessment tools. It breaks down the key components of rubrics, including criteria, performance levels, and descriptors. The piece also delves into the two main types of rubrics - holistic and analytic - providing authoritative definitions and explaining their unique applications in educational settings.
