Summary:
The 50138 zip code in Iowa has only one middle school, Knoxville Middle School, which serves grades 6-8 and is part of the Knoxville Community School District. While the school has a relatively small student-teacher ratio of 12:1, it is underperforming academically, with test scores in mathematics and English language arts below the state averages. Additionally, the school faces challenges with high chronic absenteeism rates and a significant population of students from low-income households, with 50.31% receiving free or reduced-price lunch.
Knoxville Middle School's academic performance is a concern, as its proficiency rates in mathematics are well below the state averages, ranging from 58.5% in 6th grade to 64% in 7th grade, compared to the Iowa state averages of 71.8% and 71.9%, respectively. The school's English language arts proficiency rates are also slightly below the state averages, though not as significantly. The school's overall district ranking has declined in recent years, dropping from 216 out of 334 Iowa middle schools in 2022-2023 to 262 out of 344 in 2024-2025.
The high chronic absenteeism rate of 21.6% at Knoxville Middle School is another area of concern, as it can negatively impact student learning and academic progress. Additionally, the school serves a population with significant socioeconomic challenges, with half of the students receiving free or reduced-price lunch. While the small class sizes may be beneficial, they do not appear to be translating into stronger academic outcomes for the students at this time.
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