Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 50158

The 50158 zip code area is home to two middle schools - B R Miller Middle School and Lenihan Intermediate School, both part of the Marshalltown Community School District. Based on the available data, these schools appear to be underperforming compared to state averages on various academic measures, including test scores, chronic absenteeism, and other key metrics.

Both B R Miller Middle School and Lenihan Intermediate School have significantly lower proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science compared to the state average across multiple grade levels. For instance, the 8th grade ELA proficiency rate at B R Miller Middle School was 64.9% in 2024-2025, compared to the state average of 80.2%. Similarly, the 6th grade Math proficiency rate at Lenihan Intermediate School was 66.2%, compared to the state average of 71.8%. Additionally, both schools have high chronic absenteeism rates, with around 21.6% of students chronically absent in the 2023-2024 school year.

Further analysis reveals that these schools serve a predominantly low-income student population, with around 77% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. This socioeconomic factor may be contributing to the schools' academic struggles. The data also shows that B R Miller Middle School has consistently ranked in the bottom tier of Iowa middle schools over the past few years, with no signs of improvement. Overall, the middle schools in the 50158 zip code area face significant challenges in providing quality education to their students, and addressing these issues will be crucial for improving student outcomes.