Best Schools in Buffalo Center, Iowa
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Buffalo Center?
Use this page to compare every school in Buffalo Center by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
North Iowa Middle School
Middle · North Iowa Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center
Elementary · North Iowa Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
North Iowa High School
High · North Iowa Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Buffalo Center for 2026 are North Iowa Middle School (9.0/10), North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center (7.9/10), and North Iowa High School (5.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$109,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$109,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Buffalo Center
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Iowa Middle School | 9.0 / 10 |
| 2 | North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center | 7.9 / 10 |
| 3 | North Iowa High School | 5.7 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.5/10
- Median household income
- $58,125
- Median home value
- $109,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 25%
- Avg commute
- 19 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 72%
67% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Buffalo Center compares
Iowa rank
#25 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.2
above Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$58k
76% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Buffalo Center, Iowa
Buffalo Center, Iowa is home to 3 schools, including 3 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.5 out of 10, schools in Buffalo Center perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Buffalo Center is North Iowa Middle School with a composite score of 9.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Buffalo Center is served by 1 school district: North Iowa Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 465 students.
Buffalo Center's community shows 25% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $58,125. The poverty rate in the area is 7.2%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 231 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.9 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100 students · 6th–8th | 9.0 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 134 students · 9th–12th | 5.7 |
Schools in Buffalo Center
Buffalo Center, Iowa · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$58,125
Median Home Value
$109,200
Median Rent
$643/mo
Population
1,590
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
72%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Community Profile
Buffalo Center has a median household income of $58,125. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $109,200, with a median rent of $643/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Iowa
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Buffalo Center, Iowa
How many schools are in Buffalo Center, Iowa?
Buffalo Center has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Buffalo Center, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Buffalo Center is 7.5 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Buffalo Center, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Buffalo Center on MySchoolScout is North Iowa Middle School with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Buffalo Center, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Buffalo Center on MySchoolScout is North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Buffalo Center, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Buffalo Center on MySchoolScout is North Iowa Middle School with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best high school in Buffalo Center, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Buffalo Center on MySchoolScout is North Iowa High School with a composite score of 5.7/10.
How many school districts serve Buffalo Center, Iowa?
Buffalo Center is served by 1 school district: North Iowa Comm School District.
What is the education level in Buffalo Center, Iowa?
According to Census data, 25% of adults in Buffalo Center have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Buffalo Center, Iowa?
The median household income in Buffalo Center is approximately $58,125 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Buffalo Center, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Buffalo Center is 15.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Buffalo Center, Iowa?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Iowa Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.