For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public middle schools serving 6,433 students in Des Moines, IA.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Des Moines, IA are Merrill Middle School, Woodside Middle School and Callanan Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Des Moines, IA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the Iowa public middle school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 71% statewide average). Middle schools in Des Moines have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 67% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public middle school average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Des Moines, IA (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Merrill Middle School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5301 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8448
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8448
Gr: 6-8 | 657 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #22.
Woodside Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
5810 Ne 14th St
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 265-3451
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 265-3451
Gr: 5-8 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #33.
Callanan Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3010 Center Street
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8101
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8101
Gr: 6-8 | 553 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #44.
Mccombs Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
201 Sw County Line Rd
Des Moines, IA 50320
(515) 242-8447
Des Moines, IA 50320
(515) 242-8447
Gr: 6-8 | 670 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #55.
Hoyt Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2700 E 42nd St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8446
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8446
Gr: 6-8 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #66.
Brody Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2501 Park Ave
Des Moines, IA 50321
(515) 242-8443
Des Moines, IA 50321
(515) 242-8443
Gr: 6-8 | 641 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #77.
Meredith Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4827 Madison Ave
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-7250
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-7250
Gr: 6-8 | 662 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #88.
Goodrell Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3300 E. 29th Street
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8444
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8444
Gr: 6-8 | 511 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #99.
Weeks Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
901 East Park Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8449
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8449
Gr: 6-8 | 688 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1010.
Harding Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
203 E Euclid Ave
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 242-8445
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 242-8445
Gr: 6-8 | 603 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #1111.
Hiatt Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1430 E. University Ave
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-7774
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-7774
Gr: 6-8 | 488 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #1212.
Ruby Van Meter
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
710 28th St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Gr: K-12 | 109 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Des Moines, IA?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Des Moines, IA include Merrill Middle School, Woodside Middle School and Callanan Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Des Moines?
12 public middle schools are located in Des Moines.
What is the racial composition of students in Des Moines?
Des Moines public middle schools minority enrollment is 67% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public middle schools average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Des Moines are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Des Moines include: Callanan Middle School vs. Merrill Middle School, Merrill Middle School vs. Callanan Middle School, Brody Middle School vs. Callanan Middle School
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
