Harding Middle School

Public 6-8

 203 E Euclid Ave
       Des Moines, IA  50313


(515) 242-8445

District: Des Moines Independent Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
330th of 336 Iowa Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,719 Help


Students who attend Harding Middle School usually attend:

High:    North High School

Feeder schools for Harding Middle School:

Elementary:    Findley Elementary School
    Moulton Elementary School
    Oak Park

Student/teacher ratio:  17.5 Help
Number of students:  655

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
34.5%
African American:
27.8%
White:
16.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  89.5% Help


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 Compare Harding Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Harding Middle School ranks worse than 98.2% of middle schools in Iowa. It also ranks 8th among 10 ranked middle schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 1.29. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Harding Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (34.5%), African American (27.8%), White (16.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 89.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Harding Middle School is 17.5. 6 middle schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Harding Middle School employs 37.3 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Harding Middle School is $13,719. 8 middle schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Harding Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Harding Middle School 330th of 336 Iowa public middle schools. (See Harding Middle School in the ranking list.)

Des Moines Independent Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Des Moines Independent Community School District 307th of 311 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Harding Middle School.

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Rank History for Harding Middle School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 2.80 346th 349 0.9%
2013 7.60 340th 350 2.9%
2014 0.84 335th 337 0.6%
2015 3.44 341st 349 2.3%
2016 2.10 339th 343 1.2%
2017 3.13 324th 327 0.9%
2018 2.10 314th 318 1.3%
2019 1.54 340th 342 0.6%
2021 0.64 323rd 324 0.3%
2022 0.92 335th 337 0.6%
2023 1.29 328th 334 1.8%
See the entire list of Iowa Middle School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Iowa Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Harding Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Monday, March 6, 2023

Open Quote Not at all the best school. Bullying has been allowed to rise above and beyond. Suspensions don't last and because parents of bullies refuse to discipline as well as force said bullies to learn their lesson. Certain staff members have been fired recently - one for racial slur and another for whatever purpose (students and parents are glad he's gone) Harding has gone downhill in rapid fire succession and the more that parents call out situations and the bullies/thugs who create them, the more that school oppresses, suppresses and represses freedom of speech regarding dead on description.
If there was a zero star option I'd give it just that.
Harding is now full on- a total lost cause and for reasoning that they absolutely willingly bend a knee to agendas, whiney rats and more! Close Quote


by a student
Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Open Quote I went to the school for a year, it was horrible. If you love you're child send them to another school where they can really learn and be successful. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Harding Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 527 112 120 15 6 n/a n/a 0 780
1989 525 115 123 18 4 n/a n/a 0 785
1990 548 103 124 9 4 n/a n/a 0 788
1991 531 125 118 16 4 n/a n/a 0 794
1992 557 127 95 20 4 n/a n/a 0 803
1993 526 154 117 17 6 n/a n/a 0 820
1994 543 154 113 18 5 n/a n/a 0 833
1995 527 149 133 25 5 n/a n/a 0 839
1996 527 149 133 25 5 n/a n/a 0 839
1997 486 154 129 42 4 n/a n/a 0 815
1998 466 146 124 97 2 n/a n/a 0 835
1999 451 153 113 124 4 n/a n/a 0 845
2000 483 180 79 145 3 n/a n/a 0 890
2001 478 185 57 131 5 n/a n/a 0 856
2002 405 157 50 137 3 n/a n/a 0 752
2003 405 157 50 137 3 n/a n/a 0 752
2004 391 160 51 151 6 n/a n/a 0 759
2005 328 137 54 162 8 n/a n/a 0 689
2006 271 114 43 153 5 n/a n/a 0 586
2007 239 120 43 156 2 n/a n/a 0 560
2008 223 112 44 145 2 n/a n/a 0 526
2009 216 129 52 146 4 n/a n/a 0 547
2010 182 129 55 174 6 1 34 0 581
2011 160 128 58 173 2 0 35 0 556
2012 170 120 60 147 3 0 34 0 534
2013 174 161 69 164 2 0 49 0 619
2014 185 185 76 198 3 0 53 0 700
2015 186 212 91 227 4 3 44 0 767
2016 175 189 98 259 2 2 48 0 773
2017 168 169 101 253 4 2 46 0 743
2018 163 189 106 272 4 0 54 0 788
2019 155 205 103 266 7 1 44 0 781
2020 141 217 100 299 7 4 47 0 815
2021 135 230 93 301 5 2 44 0 810
2022 114 166 94 256 5 1 40 0 676
2023 109 182 87 226 6 1 44 0 655

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Harding Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 780 49.0 15.9 42.8
1989 785 54.1 14.5 43.4
1990 788 45.5 17.3 36.4
1991 794 55.2 14.3 41.9
1992 803 56.0 14.3 42.8
1993 820 54.5 15.0 45.9
1994 833 68.2 12.2 45.7
1995 839 58.0 14.5 45.4
1996 839 58.0 14.5 45.4
1997 815 58.0 14.1 54.6
1998 835 58.0 14.4 54.4
1999 845 53.3 15.9 66
2000 890 59.5 15.0 59.4
2001 856 57.3 14.9 68.2
2002 752 55.3 13.6 69.8
2003 752 55.3 13.6 69.8
2004 759 58.8 12.9 69.4
2005 689 51.5 13.4 79.7
2006 586 58.6 10.0 81.4
2007 560 58.7 9.5 75.4
2008 526 50.5 10.4 82.7
2009 547 49.5 11.1 79.9
2010 581 47.5 12.2 85.5
2011 556 42.0 13.2 87.8
2012 534 44.1 12.0 88.8
2013 619 46.3 13.3 96.4
2014 700 58.4 11.9 93.9
2015 767 58.0 13.2 86.7
2016 773 61.0 12.6 90.6
2017 743 59.0 12.5 91.3
2018 788 55.2 14.2 91.2
2019 781 52.6 14.8 91.7
2020 815 53.8 15.1 91.7
2021 810 52.6 15.3 90.1
2022 676 47.7 14.1 90.4
2023 655 37.3 17.5 89.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Harding Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 780 49.0 15.9 42.8
1989 785 54.1 14.5 43.4
1990 788 45.5 17.3 36.4
1991 794 55.2 14.3 41.9
1992 803 56.0 14.3 42.8
1993 820 54.5 15.0 45.9
1994 833 68.2 12.2 45.7
1995 839 58.0 14.5 45.4
1996 839 58.0 14.5 45.4
1997 815 58.0 14.1 54.6
1998 835 58.0 14.4 54.4
1999 845 53.3 15.9 66
2000 890 59.5 15.0 59.4
2001 856 57.3 14.9 68.2
2002 752 55.3 13.6 69.8
2003 752 55.3 13.6 69.8
2004 759 58.8 12.9 69.4
2005 689 51.5 13.4 79.7
2006 586 58.6 10.0 81.4
2007 560 58.7 9.5 75.4
2008 526 50.5 10.4 82.7
2009 547 49.5 11.1 79.9
2010 581 47.5 12.2 85.5
2011 556 42.0 13.2 87.8
2012 534 44.1 12.0 88.8
2013 619 46.3 13.3 96.4
2014 700 58.4 11.9 93.9
2015 767 58.0 13.2 86.7
2016 773 61.0 12.6 90.6
2017 743 59.0 12.5 91.3
2018 788 55.2 14.2 91.2
2019 781 52.6 14.8 91.7
2020 815 53.8 15.1 91.7
2021 810 52.6 15.3 90.1
2022 676 47.7 14.1 90.4
2023 655 37.3 17.5 89.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Harding Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $830 (6.1%) $12,889 (94.0%) $13,719

Data source: Iowa Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Harding Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 340th of 342 Middle schoolsRanks 328th of 334 Middle schools
 1.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Harding Middle School)27.440.4
 13%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Des Moines Independent Community School District)48.345.6
 2.7%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.572.7
 5.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Harding Middle School)32.235.6
 3.4%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Des Moines Independent Community School District)51.141
 10.1%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.469.9
 0.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Harding Middle School)36.633.9
 2.7%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Des Moines Independent Community School District)47.848.4
 0.6%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.974.2
 4.3%
7th Grade Mathematics (Harding Middle School)35.826.1
 9.7%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Des Moines Independent Community School District)51.943.3
 8.6%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)70.168.9
 1.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Harding Middle School)4645.4
 0.6%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Des Moines Independent Community School District)50.751.5
 0.8%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.576
 6.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Harding Middle School)47.840.6
 7.2%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Des Moines Independent Community School District)51.946.1
 5.8%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)71.872
 0.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students781655
 16.1%
African American205182
 11.2%
American Indian76
 14.3%
Asian10387
 15.5%
Hispanic266226
 15%
Pacific Islander11
White155109
 29.7%
Two or More Races4444
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients91.7%89.5%
 2.2%


Schools Near Harding Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about Harding Middle School

Students who attend Harding Middle School usually go on to attend North High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 655 students attended Harding Middle School.

Students at Harding Middle School are 35% Hispanic, 28% African American, 17% White, 13% Asian, 7% Two or more races.

Harding Middle School ranks in the bottom 1.8% of Iowa middle schools.


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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. School Attendance Areas provided by ATTOM.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that school and district boundary data 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.





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