Average
#1014 of 1,280 schools in IA
Central Lee Middle School
Middle School · Central Lee Comm School District
2642 Highway 218, Donnellson, IA 52625
Enrollment
280
Student-Teacher
21.5:1
Score
5.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
280
Student-Teacher
21.5:1
Score
5.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Donnellson
#3 of 3
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#207 of 248
In district
#3 of 3
Central Lee Comm School District
Equity
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Central Lee Middle School
Central Lee Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural community of Donnellson, Iowa. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 280 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 21.5:1, Central Lee provides a supportive learning environment with one full-time equivalent teacher for every 21 students.
The academic performance at Central Lee Middle School shows that 76% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 72% excel in Math. In Science, the proficiency rate is 73%. Although the school’s MySchoolScout rating is currently a 4.6 out of 10 and it ranks at #890 among Iowa's 1288 schools (placing it around the 31st percentile), Central Lee Middle School focuses on continuous improvement to enhance its students’ academic achievements.
Central Lee Middle School sits in a rural setting, offering a close-knit community atmosphere where teachers and staff know their students well. This environment fosters strong relationships between students and educators, contributing to a nurturing educational experience.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Central Lee Middle School is 21.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Located in a rural area, Central Lee Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Central Lee Middle School — Students at Central Lee Middle School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 16 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.6/10.
How Central Lee Middle School Compares
See how Central Lee Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 65% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 72% (2019) to 78% (2022).
Location
2642 Highway 218, Donnellson, IA 52625
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Lee Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Keokuk Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 13.1 miles away, in nearby Keokuk), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fort Madison Middle School (rated 4.9/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Fort Madison), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Donnellson, see our Donnellson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Central Lee Elementary School Donnellson | 0.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Central Lee High School Donnellson | 0.2 mi | 6.1 |
| STS PETER & PAUL Nauvoo | 7.0 mi | 4.5 |
| HOLY TRINITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Point | 10.1 mi | 5.7 |
| HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY West Point | 10.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Fort Madison Middle School Fort Madison | 8.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Richardson Elementary School Fort Madison | 9.1 mi | 3.6 |
| HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Fort Madison | 9.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Fort Madison High School Fort Madison | 10.4 mi | 4.5 |
| KEOKUK CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Keokuk | 12.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Hawthorne Elementary School Keokuk | 12.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Fort Madison | 10.8 mi | 2.7 |
| Keokuk High School Keokuk | 13.0 mi | 4.9 |
| KEOKUK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Keokuk | 13.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Keokuk Middle School Keokuk | 13.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Torrence Elementary Keokuk | 13.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Nauvoo Elem School Nauvoo | 11.1 mi | 7.3 |
| George Washington Elementary School Keokuk | 14.0 mi | 7.1 |
| RUNNING FOX ELEM. Alexandria | 15.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Warsaw Sr High School Warsaw | 16.0 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52625 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$78,224
Median Home Value
$201,100
Median Rent
$753/mo
Population
2,303
College Educated
27.2%
Homeownership
86.5%
Avg Commute
24.3 min
Poverty Rate
9.3%
Median Age
43.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Lee Middle School has a median household income of $78,224. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $201,100, with a median rent of $753/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Williams Intermediate Davenport, IA | 5.3 |
| Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Middle School Clarion, IA | 5.4 |
| Oelwein Middle School Oelwein, IA | 5.0 |
| West Branch Middle School West Branch, IA | 5.4 |
| West Liberty Middle School West Liberty, IA | 5.0 |
| Woodward-Granger Middle School Woodward, IA | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Lee Middle School
What grades does Central Lee Middle School serve?
Central Lee Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Central Lee Middle School?
Central Lee Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 280 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Lee Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Lee Middle School is 21.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Lee Middle School rank in IA?
Central Lee Middle School is ranked #1014 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Central Lee Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Lee Middle School has a composite rating of 5.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Central Lee Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Lee Middle School has 71.7% math proficiency and 75.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Lee Middle School a charter school?
No, Central Lee Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Lee Middle School a Title I school?
No, Central Lee Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Lee Middle School?
38.9% of students at Central Lee Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (247/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 280
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Lee County
- Phone
- (319) 835-9510
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Central Lee Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,270
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,176
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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