Very Good
#379 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 30% in state
Central Middle School
Middle School · Waterloo Comm School District
1350 Katoski Dr, Waterloo, IA 50701
Enrollment
466
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
466
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#379 of 1,280
In Waterloo
#5 of 16
public schools
In district
#6 of 18
Waterloo Comm School District
Equity
10.0 / 10
Excellent
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Central Middle School
Middle School in Waterloo · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Fred Becker Elementary School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Orchard Hill Elementary School
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Central Middle School
Central Middle School is a public middle school in Waterloo, IA, part of Waterloo Comm School District. Central Middle School serves approximately 466 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #379 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Central Middle School show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.5 · Very Good
- District avg 6.6
- IA avg 6.7
What Parents Should Know
59% of students at Central Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Central Middle School — Students at Central Middle School score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.5/10.
How Central Middle School Compares
See how Central Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1350 Katoski Dr, Waterloo, IA 50701
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Peet Junior High School (rated 8.1/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Cedar Falls), which scores slightly higher. Another option is BLESSED MARIA ASSUNTA PALLOTTA MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 3.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Hoover Middle School (rated 7.2/10, 2.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Waterloo, see our Waterloo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Fred Becker Elementary School Waterloo | 0.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Orchard Hill Elementary School Cedar Falls | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Cedar Heights Elementary School Cedar Falls | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| WATERLOO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waterloo | 2.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Kingsley Elementary School Waterloo | 2.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Southdale Elementary School Cedar Falls | 2.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Waterloo | 2.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Peet Junior High School Cedar Falls | 2.5 mi | 8.1 |
| ST EDWARD SCHOOL Waterloo | 2.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Hoover Middle School Waterloo | 2.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Lou Henry Elementary School Waterloo | 2.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Irving Elementary School Waterloo | 2.7 mi | 8.0 |
| West High School Waterloo | 2.9 mi | 4.9 |
| ST PATRICK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cedar Falls | 3.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Cedar Falls | 3.6 mi | 6.2 |
| COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waterloo | 3.5 mi | 6.5 |
| BLESSED MARIA ASSUNTA PALLOTTA MIDDLE SCHOOL Waterloo | 3.5 mi | 7.6 |
| George Washington Carver Academy Waterloo | 3.6 mi | 6.2 |
| ROYAL LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterloo | 3.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Lowell Elementary School Waterloo | 3.5 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50701 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,857
Median Home Value
$183,400
Median Rent
$846/mo
Population
29,745
College Educated
29.8%
Homeownership
67.1%
Avg Commute
15 min
Poverty Rate
15.9%
Median Age
37.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Chariton Middle School Chariton, IA | 7.5 |
| Fairfield Middle School Fairfield, IA | 7.5 |
| Harlan Community Middle School Harlan, IA | 7.5 |
| IKM-Manning Middle School Manning, IA | 7.5 |
| Keokuk Middle School Keokuk, IA | 7.5 |
| North Polk Middle School Alleman, IA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Middle School
What grades does Central Middle School serve?
Central Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Central Middle School?
Central Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 466 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Middle School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Middle School rank in IA?
Central Middle School ranks #379 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Central Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Central Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Middle School has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Central Middle School a charter school?
No, Central Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Middle School a Title I school?
No, Central Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Middle School?
84.5% of students at Central 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 466
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Black Hawk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 59.4%
- Phone
- (319) 433-2100
Resources & Links
District
Waterloo Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 10,606
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,652
- District Rank
- #6 of 18
Other Schools in This District
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