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Coming soon: We're expecting this year's test scores from the Iowa Department of Education any day now — new rankings will be posted the moment they're released!

Coming soon: This year's test scores are expected from the Iowa Department of Education any day now — new rankings will follow the moment they're released!

Brody Middle School

Public Grades 6-8

327^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 344 Iowa Middle Schools

Better than 5% of Iowa middle schools

Summary

Brody Middle School is a public middle school in Des Moines, Iowa, serving 598 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Des Moines Independent Community School District, which is ranked 306 out of 313 districts in the state and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger. Brody Middle School has consistently ranked in the bottom quarter of Iowa middle schools over the past several years, with a ranking between 255 and 340 out of around 340 middle schools in the state.

Brody Middle School faces significant challenges, with high chronic absenteeism rates ranging from 21.6% to 42.0% over the past few years, well above the state average. The school's test scores on the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) are consistently well below the state and district averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2024-2025, only 49.8% of 6th graders, 53.3% of 7th graders, and 61.4% of 8th graders were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to state averages of 72.8%, 74.9%, and 80.2%, respectively. Additionally, Brody Middle School has a very high percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 64.55% to 73.96% over the past few years, significantly higher than the state average.

When comparing Brody Middle School to other middle schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District, it becomes clear that Brody is one of the lowest-performing schools in the district. For example, Merrill Middle School, which is only about 2.7 miles away, consistently outperforms Brody Middle School on test scores, with significantly higher proficiency rates in all subject areas. Addressing the issues of chronic absenteeism and economic disadvantage, as well as implementing targeted academic interventions, could potentially help to improve student outcomes at Brody Middle School.

641

Students ?

16.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,143

Per pupil spending ?

71.3%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

2501 Park Ave
Des Moines, IA 50321

(515) 242-8443

District: Des Moines Independent Community School District

Students who attend Brody Middle School usually attend:

High:

Lincoln High School

Feeder schools for Brody Middle School:

Elementary:	Jefferson Elementary School
	Park Ave Elementary School
	Wright Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

White:

44.8%

Hispanic:

30.1%

African American:

12.8%

See top rated Iowa middle schools

Compare Brody Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 10th percentile in 2015 → 5th in 2025

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Iowa average (51% vs 74% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (5th percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (40% vs 22% Iowa)

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school51%

District avg51%

Iowa avg74%

327^th of 344

Iowa public middle schools ?

Bottom 5%▼ down 5 pts since 2015

From bottom 10% (2015) to bottom 5% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Iowa Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

4^th of 10Middle Schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District

306^th of 313Des Moines Independent 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	3.9	327 of 344	4.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	6.6	320 of 337	5.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	2.3	325 of 334	2.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	4.8	327 of 337	3.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	9.1	300 of 324	7.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	30.6	255 of 342	25.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	29.2	259 of 318	18.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	27.8	270 of 327	17.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	21.1	303 of 343	11.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	18.7	315 of 349	9.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	21.2	301 of 337	10.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	32.4	279 of 350	20.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	26.6	302 of 349	13.5%	★☆☆☆☆

By subject vs Iowa (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts55%-21 vs state

Science51%-20 vs state

Mathematics48%-25 vs state

1.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★0

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★2

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What people are saying

by a citizen
Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Unbelievably ridiculous how teachers treat the students! They teach bullying A+ can’t wait til my grandchild is outta there. How many times does one have to tell the office? Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, March 7, 2019

Horrible school with major bully issues. The principal, Mr. Hoffman, is a huge part of the problem. He’s horrible to deal with as a parent and I know of several students who say the same. This man allows bullies to rule the school and sides with them when they attack other students. If you want your child to be physically assaulted, witness to fights and bullying on a regular basis, deal with leadership who will not help and further attack them, then this school is for you. Close Quote

Schools Near Brody Middle School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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/reduced lunch (2024-25)	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 6th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 7th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 8th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 6th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 7th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 8th Grade	ISASP Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Brody Middle School	Public	6-8	2501 Park Ave	Des Moines	50321	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 242-8443	641	39	16.4	71.3%	287 (44.8%)	82 (12.8%)	193 (30.1%)	23 (3.6%)	3 (0.5%)	4 (0.6%)	49 (7.6%)	3.9	327^th of 344 public middle schools	4.9%		6.6	320^th of 337 public middle schools	5.0%	7	49.8	53.3	61.4	46.3	45.1	52.0	51.0	$14,143	$628	$13,515
Callanan Middle School	Public	6-8	3010 Center Street	Des Moines	50312	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8101	553	35	15.7	79.9%	147 (26.6%)	213 (38.5%)	116 (21.0%)	19 (3.4%)	3 (0.5%)	8 (1.4%)	47 (8.5%)	2.3	333^rd of 344 public middle schools	3.2%		6.9	319^th of 337 public middle schools	5.3%	14	49.0	50.3	54.7	41.2	40.9	50.7	48.0	$15,075	$880	$14,196
Weeks Middle School	Public	6-8	901 East Park Avenue	Des Moines	50315	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8449	688	48	14.1	87.4%	133 (19.3%)	121 (17.6%)	292 (42.4%)	97 (14.1%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (6.0%)	1.7	334^th of 344 public middle schools	2.9%		1.3	333^rd of 337 public middle schools	1.2%	1	47.7	55.8	49.2	36.4	43.6	40.8	42.4	$14,586	$1,091	$13,495
Merrill Middle School	Public	6-8	5301 Grand Ave	Des Moines	50312	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 242-8448	657	39	16.7	43.7%	386 (58.8%)	104 (15.8%)	87 (13.2%)	22 (3.3%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.3%)	55 (8.4%)	48	209^th of 344 public middle schools	39.2%		42.5	224^th of 337 public middle schools	33.5%	15	69.2	80.3	77.9	74.3	75.1	72.9	69.1	$12,938	$599	$12,340
McCombs Middle School	Public	6-8	201 SW County Line Rd	Des Moines	50320	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8447	670	40	16.8	83.3%	170 (25.4%)	153 (22.8%)	260 (38.8%)	50 (7.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (5.5%)	7.9	321^st of 344 public middle schools	6.7%		7.7	318^th of 337 public middle schools	5.6%	3	43.8	61.0	62.1	48.8	60.5	57.4	50.0	$14,664	$1,066	$13,598
Stilwell Junior High School	Public	7-8	1601 Vine St	West Des Moines	50265	Polk County	West Des Moines Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 633-6155	645	48	13.4	47.0%	385 (59.7%)	80 (12.4%)	104 (16.1%)	28 (4.3%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	47 (7.3%)	43.3	237^th of 344 public middle schools	31.1%		52.1	189^th of 337 public middle schools	43.9%	48		79.5	75.1		73.2	73.5	64.2	$15,102	$192	$14,909
Hiatt Middle School	Public	6-8	1430 E. University Ave	Des Moines	50316	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-7774	488	35	14.1	93.4%	65 (13.3%)	100 (20.5%)	260 (53.3%)	35 (7.2%)	3 (0.6%)	2 (0.4%)	23 (4.7%)	0.5	341^st of 344 public middle schools	0.9%		0.2	335^th of 337 public middle schools	0.6%	6	43.1	46.2	46.3	30.6	36.4	38.1	37.3	$16,661	$1,079	$15,582
Harding Middle School	Public	6-8	203 E Euclid Ave	Des Moines	50313	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8445	603	38	15.7	88.6%	96 (15.9%)	178 (29.5%)	207 (34.3%)	62 (10.3%)	4 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	56 (9.3%)	0.6	340^th of 344 public middle schools	1.2%		0.7	334^th of 337 public middle schools	0.9%	6	39.6	37.5	48.2	40.3	43.8	42.5	35.2	$13,719	$830	$12,889
Meredith Middle School	Public	6-8	4827 Madison Ave	Des Moines	50310	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-7250	662	40	16.4	79.8%	153 (23.1%)	200 (30.2%)	146 (22.1%)	104 (15.7%)	5 (0.8%)	2 (0.3%)	50 (7.6%)	7	322^nd of 344 public middle schools	6.4%		4.2	323^rd of 337 public middle schools	4.2%	1	52.9	61.7	63.0	41.9	57.4	54.5	49.8	$14,971	$1,099	$13,873
Norwalk Middle School	Public	6-8	200 Cherry Street	Norwalk	50211	Warren County	Norwalk Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 981-0435	824	54	15.3	18.1%	712 (86.4%)	14 (1.7%)	63 (7.6%)	4 (0.5%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (3.6%)	63.1	122^nd of 344 public middle schools	64.5%		62.4	136^th of 337 public middle schools	59.6%	14	81.1	80.7	63.2	82.5	84.0	88.0	76.0	$14,307	$188	$14,119

Frequently Asked Questions about Brody Middle School

What is the racial makeup of Brody Middle School?

Students at Brody Middle School are 45% White, 30% Hispanic, 13% African American, 8% Two or more races, 4% Asian.

How many students attend Brody Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 641 students attended Brody Middle School.

What high school do graduates of Brody Middle School attend?

Students who attend Brody Middle School usually go on to attend Lincoln High School

Is Brody Middle School a good school?

Brody Middle School ranks in the bottom 4.9% of Iowa middle schools.

What district is Brody Middle School in?

Des Moines Independent Community School District

Rate Brody Middle School!

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Latest Iowa data All new data »

2024–25 graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

2024–25 ISASP test scoresAug 20, 2025

2023–24 graduation ratesApr 1, 2025

2017–18 through 2023–24 attendance dataNov 15, 2024

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.