The top reported proficiency rate is 89% in Science. The lowest is 73% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Madrid Junior High School
Madrid Junior High School serves grades six through eight in the Madrid Comm School District, a small public school system in Boone County, Iowa. The town of Madrid is a historically coal mining and farming community that has since become a residential small town within the Boone micropolitan area. The population has grown steadily over recent decades, but the town remains compact. Local amenities include the High Trestle Trail, Swede Point Park, the Iowa Arboretum, a winery, and a Hindu Temple and Cultural Center. Many residents likely commute to nearby cities such as Boone, Ames, or the Des Moines metro area for work.
This junior high school is a regular public school serving a small student body. The student population is predominantly white, with a small number of students who identify as Hispanic, two or more races, Black, or Asian. About a quarter of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is a common measure of economic need. State data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in this profile, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the extent of those supports.
Academically, the school shows strong performance on the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress. In English language arts, the proficiency rate is well above average, and in science, the proficiency rate is notably high. Math proficiency is also solid, though it is the relative soft spot among the three subjects; a parent may want to look into this further with the school. The data covers only one year, so there is no multi-year trend to examine. When compared with other schools in Boone County districts, this school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades lands in the top quartile, a strong positioning. The district recently passed a bond referendum that funded building renovations and construction, and it has implemented a technology program in which students in grades seven through twelve receive Chromebooks to take home, and classrooms are equipped with interactive display boards.
Housing values in the Madrid area are above the Iowa statewide benchmark and have seen recent appreciation, though they remain below the national median. The housing market combines a smaller-town setting with values that reflect its proximity to larger employment centers. The junior high does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Discipline, chronic absenteeism, and course access data were not available in this profile, which means a family considering the school should ask the school office for current information on those topics.
This school fits a family looking for a small rural middle school environment with strong academic results, particularly in English and science. The student body is not especially diverse, and the school’s size means a close-knit atmosphere where students are known by staff. The district has invested in facilities and classroom technology, which may appeal to families who value those resources. Families who want a wider range of program offerings or more demographic diversity may find the school less suited to those priorities, but for those who value a straightforward, high-performing small-town junior high, Madrid is a place to take a serious look.
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