Summary:
There is only one middle school located in the 50208 zip code - Berg Middle School, which is part of the Newton Community School District. The school has seen a decline in its statewide ranking over the past few years, going from 263 out of 334 Iowa middle schools in 2022-2023 to 292 out of 344 in 2024-2025, with a consistent 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.
Key metrics for Berg Middle School indicate some challenges the school is facing. Chronic absenteeism is high at 21.6% in the 2023-2024 school year, and student performance on standardized tests is generally below the state averages across grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2024-2025, the percentage of 8th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts was 71.5% at Berg Middle School, compared to the state average of 80.2%. The school also has a relatively high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, at 55.04% in 2023-2024.
While the school's spending per student and student-teacher ratio are within typical ranges, the data suggests that Berg Middle School is facing significant challenges and is performing below average compared to other middle schools in the state. Further investigation into the specific factors contributing to the school's performance, as well as strategies for improvement, would be warranted to better understand and address the issues the school is facing.
Thank you for your feedback!