Very Good
#216 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 17% 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
7.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
466
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waterloo
#7 of 16
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#38 of 248
In district
#8 of 18
Waterloo Comm School District
Academic growth
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Central Middle School
Central Middle School is a regular public middle school serving students in grades six through eight in Waterloo, Iowa. With an enrollment of 466 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1, the school benefits from smaller class sizes that can facilitate more individualized attention. The school's faculty consists of 33 full-time equivalent teachers who work to support each student’s educational needs.
Central Middle School has received a MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and is ranked at #1015 among the 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it around the 21st percentile statewide. Academically, the school shows that 49% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA), 50% are proficient or above in math, and 48% are proficient or above in science. While these numbers indicate areas with room for improvement, Central Middle School is committed to focusing on student development and growth.
Central Middle School is situated in a small city setting within Black Hawk County, providing students with access to local resources and community engagement opportunities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Central Middle School — Students at Central Middle School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
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 13 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: 10.0/10.
How Central Middle School Compares
See how Central Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 50% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 45% (2019) to 47% (2022).
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. BLESSED MARIA ASSUNTA PALLOTTA MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 3.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Peet Junior High School (rated 7.3/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Cedar Falls), with a comparable rating. Additionally, George Washington Carver Academy (rated 7.1/10, 3.6 miles away), with a comparable 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 | 6.3 |
| Orchard Hill Elementary School Cedar Falls | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Cedar Heights Elementary School Cedar Falls | 1.9 mi | 5.5 |
| WATERLOO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waterloo | 2.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Kingsley Elementary School Waterloo | 2.1 mi | 8.6 |
| Southdale Elementary School Cedar Falls | 2.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Waterloo | 2.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Peet Junior High School Cedar Falls | 2.5 mi | 7.3 |
| ST EDWARD SCHOOL Waterloo | 2.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Hoover Middle School Waterloo | 2.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Lou Henry Elementary School Waterloo | 2.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Irving Elementary School Waterloo | 2.7 mi | 8.8 |
| West High School Waterloo | 2.9 mi | 7.0 |
| ST PATRICK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cedar Falls | 3.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Cedar Falls | 3.6 mi | 7.4 |
| 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 | 7.1 |
| ROYAL LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterloo | 3.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Lowell Elementary School Waterloo | 3.5 mi | 6.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Middle School has a median household income of $62,857. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $183,400, with a median rent of $846/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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 |
|---|---|
| Atlantic Middle School Atlantic, IA | 7.7 |
| Charles City Middle School Charles City, IA | 7.7 |
| DeSoto Intermediate School Desoto, IA | 7.8 |
| MOC-Floyd Valley Middle School Alton, IA | 7.8 |
| Monticello Middle School Monticello, IA | 7.8 |
| New Hampton Middle School New Hampton, IA | 7.8 |
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 is ranked #216 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Central Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Middle School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Middle School has 63.9% math proficiency and 63.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- Walk Score
- 17 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 25 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 55 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,946/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waterloo). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (319) 433-2100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Waterloo Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 10,606
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,652
- District Rank
- #8 of 18
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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