The top reported proficiency rate is 89% in English language arts. The lowest is 84% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Decorah Middle School
Decorah Middle School serves grades five through eight as part of the Decorah Community School District, located in the city of Decorah, the seat of Winneshiek County. The school is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. Iowa state testing results for the most recent school year show that a strong majority of students met or exceeded proficiency standards in each tested subject. The school’s overall proficiency index, which averages performance across math, English language arts, and science, places it in the top quartile relative to districts in Winneshiek County. Performance in English language arts was especially high, with a very large share of students demonstrating proficiency. Math and science results were also strong, though a smaller share of students reached the proficient level in math compared to the other two subjects. Participation rates on the state assessments were very high, meaning the results reflect nearly the full student body.
The student enrollment is mid-sized for a middle school that covers four grade levels. The student body is predominantly white, with small shares of students who are Hispanic, identify with two or more races, Black, or Asian. More than a quarter of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, indicating measurable economic diversity within the school. Data on students with individualized education programs and English learners was not available.
The school sits within a community defined by its role as a college town, county seat, and agricultural hub. Luther College, a private liberal arts institution, is the largest employer in Decorah, alongside county government and a handful of national corporations. The city has a walkable downtown that centers on the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, a farmers market, and a craft beer scene, with strong Norwegian-American cultural traditions like Nordic Fest in July. The built environment is shaped by the Driftless Area’s limestone bluffs and river valley, with several parks, natural springs, and a trout hatchery. A major recent infrastructure investment in the district came through a voter-approved bond referendum for renovations and expansion at Decorah High School, including classroom upgrades, science lab modernization, and ADA compliance improvements. The district also adopted a new elementary literacy curriculum aligned with the science of reading, a shift in instructional approach for the youngest students. On the financial side, the school district portion of property taxes has declined steadily in recent years, which may be relevant for families weighing housing costs in the area.
Housing values in Decorah’s zip code are above the state average but slightly below the national average, though the national figure has been rising more slowly. The local market, like many parts of the country, is affected by mortgage rates that have fluctuated but remain elevated relative to recent years.
For a family considering this school, the picture is one of consistently strong academic results across subjects, a student body that is largely homogeneous but with some economic diversity, and a community that is both a county seat and a college town with cultural and outdoor amenities. The school serves the middle grades only, so any high school outcomes, graduation rates, or postsecondary planning data are not applicable here. The absence of discipline, staffing, or attendance data in the available information means a parent may want to ask the school directly about those areas.
See more original research from School Decision →