Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Improved Public Middle Schools in Iowa (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Improved Public Middle Schools in Iowa (2026)

The most improved public middle schools in Iowa are Essex Junior-senior High School, Sioux Central Middle School and Vinton-shellsburg Middle School.
A school's improvement is based on a its total rise in ranking spots during the last five years (2021-26).
Improved Rank Range: 532 1,007 Avg. Improved Rank: 669

Most Improved Public Middle Schools in Iowa (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Ranking Change (2021-26)
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Essex Junior-senior High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +1007
(from 1,183 to 176)
Grades: 6-12
111 Forbes St
Essex, IA 51638
(712) 379-3115
Rank: #22.
Sioux Central Middle School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +871
(from 1,126 to 255)
Grades: 6-8
4440 U.s. Hwy 71
Sioux Rapids, IA 50585
(712) 283-2571
Rank: #33.
Vinton-shellsburg Middle School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
Rank Change: +860
(from 982 to 122)
Grades: 6-8
212 W. 15th St.
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Rank: #44.
West Hancock Middle School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
Rank Change: +825
(from 914 to 89)
Grades: 5-8
423 E. 5th St.
Kanawha, IA 50447
(641) 762-3261
Rank: #55.
Highland Middle School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +800
(from 1,160 to 360)
Grades: 6-8
1715 Vine Avenue
Riverside, IA 52327
(319) 648-2891
Rank: #66.
Lewis Central Middle School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +792
(from 1,195 to 403)
Grades: 6-8
3820 Harry Langdon Blvd.
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 366-8252
Rank: #77.
Pleasantville Middle School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +777
(from 1,032 to 255)
Grades: 7-8
415 Jones St
Pleasantville, IA 50225
(515) 848-0528
Rank: #88.
Clayton Ridge Middle School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Rank Change: +775
(from 804 to 29)
Grades: 6-8
131. S. River Park Drive
Guttenberg, IA 52052
(563) 252-1747
Rank: #99.
Coon Rapids-bayard 6-12 Attendance Center
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +771
(from 947 to 176)
Grades: 6-12
905 North Street
Coon Rapids, IA 50058
(712) 999-2208
Rank: #1010.
Aplington-parkersburg Middle School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +770
(from 914 to 144)
Grades: 6-8
215 10th St
Aplington, IA 50604
(319) 347-6621
Rank: #1111.
Jesup Middle School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +728
(from 1,028 to 300)
Grades: 5-8
531 Prospect
Jesup, IA 50648
(319) 827-1700
Rank: #1212.
East Mills Jr/sr High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +708
(from 884 to 176)
Grades: 6-12
1505 E 15th Street
Malvern, IA 51551
(712) 624-8645
Rank: #1313.
Denison Middle School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +697
(from 1,155 to 458)
Grades: 6-8
1201 North 16th Street
Denison, IA 51442
(712) 263-9393
Rank: #1414.
Clarksville High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +692
(from 947 to 255)
Grades: 7-12
318 N. Mather St.
Clarksville, IA 50619
(319) 278-4273
Rank: #1515.
Albia Middle School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +679
(from 1,015 to 336)
Grades: 7-8
505 C Ave E
Albia, IA 52531
(641) 932-2161
Rank: #1616.
Underwood Middle School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Rank Change: +653
(from 682 to 29)
Grades: 6-8
601 Third Street
Underwood, IA 51576
(712) 566-2332
Rank: #1717.
Stanton High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +640
(from 857 to 217)
Grades: 6-12
605 Elliott Street
Stanton, IA 51573
(712) 829-2162
Rank: #1818.
West Branch Middle School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +639
(from 1,032 to 393)
Grades: 5-8
900 W. Main St.
West Branch, IA 52358
(319) 643-5324
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Sigourney Jr-sr High School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +627
(from 947 to 320)
Grades: 7-12
907 E Pleasant Valley
Sigourney, IA 52591
(641) 622-2010
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Iowa Valley Jr-sr High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +627
(from 1,032 to 405)
Grades: 7-12
359 E Hilton St
Marengo, IA 52301
(319) 642-3332
Rank: #2121.
South Hardin Middle School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +603
(from 1,169 to 566)
Grades: 6-8
200 E. Chestnut
Hubbard, IA 50122
(641) 864-2211
Rank: #2222.
Fremont-mills Middle And Senior High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +598
(from 914 to 316)
Grades: 7-12
1114 Us Hwy 275
Tabor, IA 51653
(712) 629-2325
Rank: #2323.
Emmetsburg Middle School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +595
(from 1,032 to 437)
Grades: 5-8
205 King Street
Emmetsburg, IA 50536
(712) 852-2892
Rank: #2424.
Murray Jr/sr High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +590
(from 1,220 to 630)
Grades: 6-12
216 Sherman
Murray, IA 50174
(641) 447-2517
Rank: #2525.
Pcm Middle School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +580
(from 1,116 to 536)
Grades: 6-8
407 Plainsmen Rd
Prairie City, IA 50228
(515) 994-8222
Rank: #2626.
Madrid Junior High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +574
(from 1,032 to 458)
Grades: 6-8
599 N Kennedy
Madrid, IA 50156
(515) 795-3240
Rank: #2727.
West Central Valley Middle School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +557
(from 1,001 to 444)
Grades: 6-8
1375 High St.
Redfield, IA 50233
(515) 833-2331
Rank: #2828.
Tri-center Middle School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +555
(from 1,121 to 566)
Grades: 6-8
33980 310th St
Neola, IA 51559
(712) 485-2211
Rank: #2929.
North-linn Middle School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
Rank Change: +554
(from 655 to 101)
Grades: 6-8
3033 Lynx Drive
Troy Mills, IA 52344
(319) 224-3291
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Woodward-granger Middle School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Rank Change: +552
(from 767 to 215)
Grades: 6-8
306 W 3rd St
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-4263
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Sibley-ocheyedan Middle School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
Rank Change: +552
(from 888 to 336)
Grades: 5-8
120 11th Ave Ne
Sibley, IA 51249
(712) 754-2542
Rank: #3232.
Southeast Polk Junior High School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +550
(from 943 to 393)
Grades: 7-8
8325 Ne University Ave.
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 967-5509
Rank: #3333.
Rural Elementary School #1
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
Rank Change: +547
(from 1,310 to 763)
Grades: K-8
1099 Amish Blvd
Fairbank, IA 50629
(319) 635-2071
Rank: #3434.
Ikm-manning Middle School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
Rank Change: +543
(from 652 to 109)
Grades: 4-8
209 10th St
Manning, IA 51455
(712) 655-3781
Rank: #3535.
Algona Middle School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
Rank Change: +532
(from 908 to 376)
Grades: 5-8
601 S. Hale
Algona, IA 50511
(515) 295-7207
Show 100 more public schools in IA (out of 361 total schools)
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