About

Principal Tim Bartels

Welcome to Mid-Prairie Middle School! 

Our school consists of 50+ staff members serving our 400+ students in grades 5-8. We have outstanding support from our communities that make up our school, including Kalona, Wellman, Frytown, Joetown, West Chester, Sharon Center, and Richmond.

At Mid-Prairie Middle School, we lead with relationships. Every Student, Every Day means we know our kids, we show up for them daily, and we hold them to high expectations. We build trust, create consistency, and push kids to grow academically, personally, and socially. This is a place where students are encouraged to take risks, while being supported and challenged. Clear expectations, strong relationships, and a belief that every kid can learn and grow are what drive our work at MPMS. 

Our goal is simple: Be a school where kids want to be, staff want to work, and families feel confident sending their children! 

Our students have access to a wide range of offerings, including English, Math, Science, Social Studies, STEM, Art, Choir, Band, Health/Agriculture, Family & Consumer Science, Spanish, PE, Cross Country, Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Wrestling, Track, and Soccer!  In addition, our SLT (Student Leadership Team) consists of students in grades 6-8 and provides students a voice and an opportunity to lead through an application-based process. 

We are proud of what we are building at MPMS!

Tim Bartels
Mid-Prairie Middle School Principal

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Why Mid-Prairie Middle School

A Place to Belong

Every student is known, valued, and supported. We build strong relationships through advisory, activities, and a positive school culture so students feel connected, confident, and ready to learn each day.

Group photo of the middle school's Student Leadership Team

Purposeful Learning

Our classrooms focus on real-world skills, critical thinking, and engagement. Students don’t just learn content—they understand it, apply it, and see the purpose behind their work.

Students surrounding a table watching a science demonstration by a volunteer

Support Every Step

Middle school is a time of big change. Our staff meets students where they are, providing academic support, social-emotional guidance, and encouragement to help each student grow and succeed.

Two male students - one speaking into a microphone holding a notebook and the other looking over his shoulder at the notebook

Programs

Programs that inspire exploration, build skills, and prepare students for success beyond school.
Group of students standing in front of the Golden Hawk logo that says Every Student, Every Day
Student Leadership Team

Student Leadership Team builds confidence, responsibility, and voice as students lead, serve, and help shape a positive school culture.

Large group middle school band members seated together playing instruments with band director up front directing the song
Band & Choir

Our middle school band and choir programs help students grow musical skills, build confidence, and perform together while developing creativity, discipline, and teamwork.

Students playing a financial literacy board game on the classroom floor with a community volunteer
Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement connects students with community volunteers, building financial literacy, career awareness, and real-world skills through engaging, hands-on learning.

Volunteer demonstrating a science experiment for students; Students are watching, one student is holding a syringe for the experiment. Text on tshirts reads IOWA Hawkeyes and The 305
Xello

Xello helps students explore careers, set goals, and plan for the future, building skills and confidence for college, careers, and life beyond the classroom.

Four female students standing as a group smiling in front of their classroom door
Hawk Links

Hawk Links pairs students with mentors to build connections, support growth, and strengthen school community through positive relationships.

Three female students with arms around each other smiling, Text on shirts read 25 and Golden Hawks in the Wild
In Control Curriculum

In Control builds self-awareness, emotional regulation, and decision-making skills, helping students manage emotions, build relationships, and succeed in school and life.

Student Spotlights

Calvin Wunderlich wearing brown shirt in front of the MP Hawk wall decal
I like the atmosphere here. All of the adults know how to help me through any problems and with my everyday life and learning. All the different classes you can take here are really fun and interesting.
Calvin, MP Middle School Student
Rose Hammes, MP Middle School student wearing a black and gold shirt with the Iowa Hawk on it in front of the MP hawk wall decal
I like that you have a lot of kind people around you here. You have the responsibility of knowing where to go throughout the day and getting there on time. All of the teachers here are super nice, and I feel you really bond with them.
Rose, MP Middle School Student