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Excelsior Middle School

Q: Is Excelsior Middle School a good school?

Excelsior Middle School ranks 111 th of 344 Iowa middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 7-8

111^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 344 Iowa Middle Schools

Better than 68% of Iowa middle schools

Summary

Excelsior Middle School is a public middle school located in Marion, Iowa, serving grades 7-8 with a total enrollment of 605 students. It is part of the Linn-Mar Community School District, which is ranked 98 out of 313 school districts in Iowa and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Excelsior Middle School consistently performs above the state average in ISASP (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress) test scores across English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. For example, in 2024-2025, 83.2% of 7th graders and 88.8% of 8th graders were proficient or better in ELA, compared to the state average of 74.9% and 80.2% respectively. The school has a strong statewide ranking, placing in the top 25% of Iowa middle schools in recent years, and earning a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger in 2018-2019. However, Excelsior Middle School has experienced higher chronic absenteeism rates compared to the state average, ranging from 16.3% to 23.4% in recent years, which is an area the school could focus on improving.

When compared to nearby schools in the Linn-Mar Community School District, such as Boulder Peak Intermediate School and Oak Ridge Middle School, Excelsior Middle School generally outperforms them in terms of academic performance and statewide rankings. Compared to middle schools in the Cedar Rapids Community School District, which is ranked lower than the Linn-Mar district, Excelsior Middle School significantly outperforms schools like Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy, Franklin Middle School, and McKinley STEAM Academy in academic achievement.

594

Students ?

13.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,096

Per pupil spending ?

28.5%

Free/discounted lunch ?

3555 N 10th St
Marion, IA 52302

(319) 447-3130

District: Linn-Mar Community School District

Students who attend Excelsior Middle School usually attend:

High:

Linn-Mar High School

Feeder schools for Excelsior Middle School:

Elementary:	Indian Creek Elementary School
	Linn Grove Elementary School
	Novak Elementary School
	Wilkins Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

White:

79.0%

Two or more races:

6.1%

African American:

5.9%

See top rated Iowa middle schools

Compare Excelsior Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 62nd percentile in 2015 → 68th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Iowa average (81% vs 74% meeting standards)

✓Ranking is trending up — up 6 percentile points since 2015

✓Above the Iowa median (68th percentile)

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school81%

District avg82%

Iowa avg74%

111^th of 344

Iowa public middle schools ?

Top 32%▲ up 6 pts since 2015

From top 38% (2015) to top 32% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Iowa Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 2Middle Schools in the Linn-Mar Community School District

98^th of 313Linn-Mar Community School District among Iowa districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Iowa percentile	Rating
2025	65.9	111 of 344	67.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	75.4	62 of 337	81.6%	★★★★☆
2023	71.8	75 of 334	77.5%	★★★★☆
2022	64.7	110 of 337	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	62.1	119 of 324	63.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	83.2	25 of 342	92.7%	★★★★★
2018	71.0	71 of 318	77.7%	★★★★☆
2017	72.6	65 of 327	80.1%	★★★★☆
2016	66.9	98 of 343	71.4%	★★★★☆
2015	62.2	134 of 349	61.6%	★★★☆☆
2014	66.1	111 of 337	67.1%	★★★☆☆
2013	75.8	47 of 350	86.6%	★★★★☆
2012	76.4	44 of 349	87.4%	★★★★☆

By subject vs Iowa (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts86%+8 vs state

Mathematics79%+6 vs state

Science73%~ state avg

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

5★1

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1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent on FaceBook
Monday, January 12, 2015

This is an awesome school..... with some of the best teachers!! Our son went here 7th and 8th grade. One of the nicest things is the grades are split up by hallways.... you have 6th grade hallway in one, 7th grade in another and 8th grade in another. Its almost like 3 separate schools in one! Close Quote

Schools Near Excelsior Middle School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				ISASP English Language Arts (2025)				ISASP Mathematics (2025)				ISASP Science (2025)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISASP English Language Arts 5th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 6th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 7th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 8th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 5th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 6th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 7th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 8th Grade	ISASP Science 5th Grade	ISASP Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Excelsior Middle School	Public	7-8	3555 N 10th St	Marion	52302	Linn County	Linn-Mar Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 447-3130	594	45	13.2	28.5%	469 (79.0%)	35 (5.9%)	35 (5.9%)	17 (2.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (6.1%)	65.9	111^th of 344 public middle schools	67.7%		75.4	62^nd of 337 public middle schools	81.6%	49			83.2	88.8			82.1	76.8		72.6	$13,096	$300	$12,796
Oak Ridge Middle School	Public	7-8	4901 Alburnett Road	Marion	52302	Linn County	Linn-Mar Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 447-3410	534	37	14.4	21.3%	367 (68.7%)	28 (5.2%)	35 (6.6%)	75 (14.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	27 (5.1%)	72.6	68^th of 344 public middle schools	80.2%		72.9	72^nd of 337 public middle schools	78.6%	4			91.4	86.8			82.0	79.6		78.5	$12,711	$282	$12,430
Hazel Point Intermediate School	Public	5-6	453 Echo Hill Road	Marion	52302	Linn County	Linn-Mar Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 200-1600	563	40	14.1	20.4%	393 (69.8%)	28 (5.0%)	31 (5.5%)	75 (13.3%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	32 (5.7%)								(n/a)	85.0	87.8			86.6	85.5			79.8
Boulder Peak Intermediate School	Public	5-6	3920 35th Avenue	Marion	52302	Linn County	Linn-Mar Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 200-1700	613	45	13.6	31.5%	481 (78.5%)	31 (5.1%)	30 (4.9%)	17 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (8.6%)								(n/a)	70.3	79.5			66.7	78.3			61.4
Vernon Middle School	Public	5-8	1350 4th Avenue	Marion	52302	Linn County	Marion Independent School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 377-9401	587	46	12.8	37.8%	470 (80.1%)	31 (5.3%)	38 (6.5%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.3%)	5 (0.9%)	40 (6.8%)	55.2	170^th of 344 public middle schools	50.6%		54.2	177^th of 337 public middle schools	47.5%	7	73.7	69.5	81.4	80.4	82.7	78.6	76.4	79.1	66.2	71.4	$11,914	$388	$11,527
Harding Middle School	Public	6-8	4801 Golf ST NE	Cedar Rapids	52405	Linn County	Cedar Rapids Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 558-2254	710	44	15.9	43.8%	472 (66.5%)	48 (6.8%)	84 (11.8%)	28 (3.9%)	1 (0.1%)	8 (1.1%)	69 (9.7%)	56.3	163^rd of 344 public middle schools	52.6%		53.8	178^th of 337 public middle schools	47.2%	15		67.7	77.8	83.2		72.9	76.4	81.5		81.5	$14,559	$562	$13,997
Franklin Middle School	Public	6-8	300 20th ST NE	Cedar Rapids	52402	Linn County	Cedar Rapids Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 558-2452	469	34	13.8	58.6%	271 (57.8%)	93 (19.8%)	39 (8.3%)	5 (1.1%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.6%)	56 (11.9%)	17.3	301^st of 344 public middle schools	12.5%		18	298^th of 337 public middle schools	11.6%	3		65.7	66.2	75.0		55.5	52.5	64.1		50.6	$15,204	$665	$14,539
McKinley STEAM Academy	Public	6-8	620 10th ST SE	Cedar Rapids	52403	Linn County	Cedar Rapids Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 558-2348	426	32	13.4	60.6%	216 (50.7%)	117 (27.5%)	34 (8.0%)	3 (0.7%)	3 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	50 (11.7%)	12.6	312^th of 344 public middle schools	9.3%		14.6	308^th of 337 public middle schools	8.6%	4		64.2	67.8	61.8		52.6	59.0	54.2		52.7	$16,456	$251	$16,204
Alburnett Middle School	Public	6-8	131 Roosevelt Street	Alburnett	52202	Linn County	Alburnett Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 842-2263	169	11	15.5	12.4%	160 (94.7%)	2 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (4.1%)	83.6	20^th of 344 public middle schools	94.2%		84.5	23^rd of 337 public middle schools	93.2%	3		78.3	98.1	98.1		83.3	96.2	92.6		83.3	$9,936	$76	$9,860
Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy	Public	6-8	300 13th ST NW	Cedar Rapids	52405	Linn County	Cedar Rapids Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 558-2153	484	34	14.2	71.1%	166 (34.3%)	196 (40.5%)	50 (10.3%)	7 (1.4%)	3 (0.6%)	12 (2.5%)	50 (10.3%)	6.1	324^th of 344 public middle schools	5.8%		11.7	315^th of 337 public middle schools	6.5%	9		51.5	60.2	67.5		43.8	50.0	53.3		45.0	$15,027	$360	$14,667

Frequently Asked Questions about Excelsior Middle School

Is Excelsior Middle School a good school?

Excelsior Middle School ranks 111^th of 344 Iowa middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Excelsior Middle School in?

Linn-Mar Community School District

What is the racial makeup of Excelsior Middle School?

Students at Excelsior Middle School are 79% White, 6% Two or more races, 6% African American, 6% Hispanic, 3% Asian.

What high school do graduates of Excelsior Middle School attend?

Students who attend Excelsior Middle School usually go on to attend Linn-Mar High School

How many students attend Excelsior Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 594 students attended Excelsior Middle School.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Iowa Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.