For the 2025 school year, there are 11 public middle schools serving 5,527 students in Dallas County, IA. The top ranked public middle schools in Dallas County, IA are Van Meter Middle School, Adm Middle School and Waukee Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dallas County, IA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 77% (versus the Iowa public middle school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 82% (versus the 71% statewide average). Middle schools in Dallas County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of Iowa public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is more than the Iowa public middle school average of 25% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Dallas County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Van Meter Middle School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
520 1st Ave
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Gr: 6-8 | 241 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 34:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #22.
Adm Middle School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
801 Nile Kinnick Dr. S.
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-3490
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-3490
Gr: 7-8 | 344 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #33.
Waukee Middle School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
905 S. Warrior Lane
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5177
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5177
Gr: 6-7 | 701 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #44.
Prairieview School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
655 Se University Ave
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-2770
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-2770
Gr: 8-9 | 1,078 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #55.
Woodward-granger Middle School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
306 W 3rd St
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-4263
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-4263
Gr: 6-8 | 220 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #66.
Timberline School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2605 Se La Grant Parkway
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-9444
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-9444
Gr: 8-9 | 918 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #77.
South Middle School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2350 Se La Grant Parkway
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-3222
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-3222
Gr: 6-7 | 913 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #88.
West Central Valley Middle School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1375 High St.
Redfield, IA 50233
(515) 833-2331
Redfield, IA 50233
(515) 833-2331
Gr: 6-8 | 189 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #99.
Perry Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1200 18th Street
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-3531
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-3531
Gr: 6-8 | 369 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1010.
Woodward Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1251 334th St
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-3150
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-3150
Gr: 5-12 | 114 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: n/an/a
1455 Nw Douglas Parkway
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5161
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5161
Gr: 6-7 | 440 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 44:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Dallas County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Perry Alternative School (Closed 2007)
Alternative School
1200 18th St
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-2997
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-2997
Gr: 9-12 | 15 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
1104 Grant St Drawer B
Redfield, IA 50233
(515) 833-2331
Redfield, IA 50233
(515) 833-2331
Gr: PK-1 | 82 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
430 Ashowrth Dr
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5160
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5160
Gr: PK | 32 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Woodward-granger Grandwood (Closed 2015)
Special Education School
1251 334th St
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-3240
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-3240
Gr: K-12 | 41 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in Dallas County, IA?
The top ranked public middle schools in Dallas County, IA include Van Meter Middle School, Adm Middle School and Waukee Middle School. Dallas County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Iowa.
How many public middle schools are located in Dallas County?
11 public middle schools are located in Dallas County.
What is the racial composition of students in Dallas County?
Dallas County public middle schools minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is more than the Iowa public middle schools average of 25% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Dallas County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Dallas County include: South Middle School vs. Waukee Middle School, Waukee Middle School vs. South Middle School
Recent Articles

Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.

When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?

When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.