The top reported proficiency rate is 94% in Math. The lowest is 91% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Mediapolis Middle School
Mediapolis Middle School serves grades six through eight in the Mediapolis Community School District, located on the north side of this small rural community in Des Moines County. The town itself is a predominantly residential place, part of the Burlington micropolitan area, with a family-oriented population and one heavy industrial employer, the United States Gypsum Sperry mine, situated a short distance southwest. The school campus, which also includes the elementary and high school buildings, sits apart from the town’s center, serving Mediapolis and a broad surrounding rural area. The district is a significant local employer, and the schools function as a primary civic anchor for the community.
The middle school’s student body is small for a three-grade school, drawing from the local area. The vast majority of students identify as white, with very small shares identifying as Hispanic, two or more races, Asian, and Black. About a quarter of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a rate that positions the school’s economic need below what is common across many Iowa schools. Data on students with individualized education programs and English learners was not available in the provided records, so a parent interested in special education supports or English language services may want to ask the school directly about those resources.
Academically, Mediapolis Middle School’s state test results place it in a strong position relative to other districts in Des Moines County. Across the subjects tested in grades six through eight, overall proficiency ranks in the top quartile of the county’s districts. On the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress, the large majority of students scored at or above the proficient level in English language arts and in math. In science, which is tested only at grade eight, the share of students reaching proficient or above was similarly high. Participation rates on all three assessments were high, meaning the results reflect nearly the entire student body. Because only one year of assessment data was available for this school, it is not possible to say whether these strong results represent a consistent trend or a single-year snapshot. A family looking at academic performance will see a school where student achievement on state tests is well above most of its county peers.
The school environment data that would round out a fuller picture, such as chronic absenteeism rates, staffing ratios, course access, and discipline information, was not provided. Parents who want to understand daily operations, class sizes, or the range of elective and enrichment offerings for middle schoolers should seek that information directly from the school. No recent district-level changes, such as boundary adjustments, program launches, or facility updates, were identified in publicly available records, so the district appears to have been operating in a fairly steady state.
For a family considering Mediapolis, the housing market context may matter. The local median home value is below the statewide benchmark, and year-over-year appreciation has run at a moderate pace, meaning the area remains more affordable than many parts of Iowa. The town has experienced slow but steady population growth over the past decade, and no specific major new housing developments were found in the public record. Residents in this rural setting rely almost entirely on personal vehicles for transportation; walkability is limited.
In sum, Mediapolis Middle School is a small, academically high-performing middle school in a rural, conservative-leaning community. Its test results are a clear strength, and its economic makeup is relatively more advantaged than the state average. A parent whose priority is strong core academic outcomes in a small-town environment with a tight-knit feel may find this school a natural fit. A family concerned with program breadth, student support services, or the pace of community growth would want to gather more detail directly from the school and district.
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