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Very Good

#427 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 33% in state

Central Springs Middle School

Middle School · Central Springs Comm School District

PO BOX 367 509 N Iowa Ave, Nora Springs, IA 50458

Enrollment

265

Student-Teacher

17.7:1

Score

7.0

Grades

4th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Nora Springs

#2 of 2

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#78 of 248

In district

#3 of 4

Central Springs Comm School District

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Central Springs Middle School

Central Springs Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural community of Nora Springs, Iowa. Serving students from fourth to eighth grade, the school enrolls 265 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.7:1. The dedicated teaching staff includes 15 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students' academic and personal growth.

According to MySchoolScout's rating system, Central Springs Middle School ranks at the 64th percentile among Iowa schools, with a state ranking of #468 out of 1288. Academically, the school scores an overall 6.7/10 on MySchoolScout’s scale. In recent assessments, 76% of students were proficient or above in ELA/reading, 73% in math, and 77% in science.

Central Springs Middle School is nestled in a rural setting where the community values education and personal connections. The school focuses on student development, offering a supportive environment for young learners to thrive academically and socially.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Central Springs 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 metrics
Student Progress9.0Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.09 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.6Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg-4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg0 pts
Overall Proficiency74%
Expected (poverty-adj.)70%
vs. Expected+3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
Resources & Environment3.1Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,300

Central Springs Middle School — Students at Central Springs Middle School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 72.7%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 76.5%
School
State
75.6%

Based on 18 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
70%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
73%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
71%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
73.5%
ELA
80.2%

* 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: 9.0/10.

How Central Springs Middle School Compares

See how Central Springs Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
67th percentile in IA
Academic
7.6/10
7.6/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
3.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

PO BOX 367 509 N Iowa Ave, Nora Springs, IA 50458

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Springs Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Lincoln Intermediate (rated 7.6/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Mason City), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Osage Middle School (rated 6.8/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Osage), with a very similar rating. Additionally, John Adams Middle School (rated 6.5/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Mason City), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Nora Springs, see our Nora Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Central Springs Elementary School - Nora Springs Nora Springs 0.0 mi 8.7
RRMR Elementary School Rockford 7.6 mi 5.5
Rockford Junior-Senior High School Rockford 7.6 mi 6.5
Alternative School Mason City 8.2 mi 6.1
Mason City High School Mason City 8.3 mi 4.4
John Adams Middle School Mason City 8.4 mi 6.5
Jefferson Elementary School Mason City 8.6 mi 9.2
Harding Elementary School Mason City 9.1 mi 9.3
NORTH IOWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mason City 9.3 mi 5.6
Roosevelt Elementary School Mason City 9.7 mi 8.4
Lincoln Intermediate Mason City 9.8 mi 7.6
Mason City Virtual Academy Mason City 9.8 mi 3.8
Hoover Elementary School Mason City 10.9 mi 7.0
NEWMAN CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mason City 11.8 mi 6.0
Osage High School Osage 13.3 mi 6.0
Osage Middle School Osage 13.3 mi 6.8
NEWMAN CATHOLIC Mason City 11.9 mi 5.4
Lincoln Elementary School Osage 13.5 mi 7.2
Central Springs Elementary Manly Campus Manly 13.6 mi 7.6
Central Springs High School Manly 13.6 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50458 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,336

Median Home Value

$145,100

Median Rent

$808/mo

Population

2,242

College Educated

25.4%

Homeownership

83.2%

Poverty Rate

2.5%

Median Age

41.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central Springs Middle School has a median household income of $86,336. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $145,100, with a median rent of $808/month. The local poverty rate of 2.5% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Forest City Middle School Forest City, IA 7.0
Sioux Center Middle School Sioux Center, IA 7.0
Hinton Intermediate School Hinton, IA 6.9
Mediapolis Middle School Mediapolis, IA 7.1
North Fayette Valley Middle School Elgin, IA 7.1
Washington Middle School Washington, IA 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Springs Middle School

What grades does Central Springs Middle School serve?

Central Springs Middle School serves students in grades 4th through 8th.

How many students attend Central Springs Middle School?

Central Springs Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 265 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Springs Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Springs Middle School is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Springs Middle School rank in IA?

Central Springs Middle School is ranked #427 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Central Springs Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Springs Middle School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Springs Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Springs Middle School has 72.7% math proficiency and 76.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Central Springs Middle School a charter school?

No, Central Springs Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Central Springs Middle School a Title I school?

No, Central Springs Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Springs Middle School?

37.0% of students at Central Springs 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
26 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (148/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
4th – 8th
Enrollment
265
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Floyd County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Central Springs Comm School District
District Enrollment
777
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,820
District Rank
#3 of 4

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 methodology

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