Top 10 Best Des Moines Public Middle Schools (2024)

For the 2024 school year, there are 13 public middle schools serving 7,534 students in Des Moines, IA.
The top ranked public middle schools in Des Moines, IA are Merrill Middle School, Virtual Campus and Brody Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Des Moines, IA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 41% (versus the Iowa public middle school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 69% statewide average). Middle schools in Des Moines have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 65% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public middle school average of 25% (majority Hispanic).

Best Des Moines, IA Public Middle Schools (2024)

School (Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Merrill Middle School
Math: 59% | Reading: 67%
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
5301 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8448
Grades: 6-8
| 669 students
Rank: #22.
Virtual Campus
Math: 40-49% | Reading: 70-79%
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1800 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-8502
Grades: 6-12
| 935 students
Rank: #33.
Brody Middle School
Math: 51% | Reading: 48%
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2501 Park Ave
Des Moines, IA 50321
(515) 242-8443
Grades: 6-8
| 603 students
Rank: #44.
Callanan Middle School
Math: 50% | Reading: 47%
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3010 Center Street
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8101
Grades: 6-8
| 534 students
Rank: #55.
Woodside Middle School
Math: 44% | Reading: 46%
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
5810 Ne 14th St
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 265-3451
Grades: 5-8
| 379 students
Rank: #66.
Weeks Middle School
Math: 39% | Reading: 43%
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
901 East Park Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8449
Grades: 6-8
| 685 students
Rank: #77.
Goodrell Middle School
Math: 37% | Reading: 44%
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3300 E. 29th Street
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8444
Grades: 6-8
| 512 students
Rank: #88.
Meredith Middle School
Math: 40% | Reading: 40%
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4827 Madison Ave
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-7250
Grades: 6-8
| 675 students
Rank: #99.
Mccombs Middle School
Math: 40% | Reading: 38%
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
201 Sw County Line Rd
Des Moines, IA 50320
(515) 242-8447
Grades: 6-8
| 684 students
Rank: #1010.
Hoyt Middle School
Math: 33% | Reading: 40%
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2700 E 42nd St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8446
Grades: 6-8
| 508 students
Rank: #1111.
Hiatt Middle School
Math: 31% | Reading: 35%
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1430 E. University Ave
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-7774
Grades: 6-8
| 558 students
Rank: #1212.
Harding Middle School
Math: 31% | Reading: 30%
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
203 E Euclid Ave
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 242-8445
Grades: 6-8
| 676 students
Rank: #1313.
Ruby Van Meter
Special Education School
Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
710 28th St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Grades: K-12
| 116 students
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines, Iowa Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
3720 E 29th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8401
Grades: PK-5
| 337 students
Bridges (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
1800 Grand
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7552
Grades: 6-12
| 25 students
1801 16th St
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8645
Grades: PK
| 99 students
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Grades: 7-12
| 2 students
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Grades: 6-8
| n/a students
620 8th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7911
Grades: 7-9
| 117 students
918 Se 11th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Grades: PK-K
| 15 students
6401 College Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Grades: K-5
| 10 students
6401 College Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Grades: 6-8
| 21 students
1800 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Grades: 6-12
| 118 students
1000 Porter Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8409
Grades: PK-5
| 547 students
800 42nd St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8414
Grades: K-5
| 309 students
2115 E 39th Street
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8418
Grades: PK-5
| 207 students
1001 Amos Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-7588
Grades: PK
| n/a students
2905 Ne 46th Ave
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-3109
Grades: 4-5
| 198 students
925 Sw Porter
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Grades: K-5
| 11 students
5412 Sw 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Grades: K-12
| 66 students
620 8th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 697-5737
Grades: 6-12
| 50 students
Ruby Van Meter School (Closed 2021)
Special Education School
710 28th St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Grades: 6-12
| 135 students
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7589
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
2820 Center St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8210
Grades: PK-8
| 94 students
1401 E 12th St
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8437
Grades: PK-5
| 368 students
1101 9th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Grades: PK-K
| 18 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public middle schools in Des Moines, IA?
The top ranked public middle schools in Des Moines, IA include Merrill Middle School, Virtual Campus and Brody Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Des Moines, IA?
13 public middle schools are located in Des Moines, IA.
What is the racial composition of students in Des Moines, IA?
Des Moines, IA public middle schools minority enrollment is 65% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public middle schools average of 25% (majority Hispanic).

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