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Average

#855 of 1,280 schools in IA

Cherokee Middle School

Middle School · Cherokee Comm School District

206 E. Indian St, Cherokee, IA 51012

Enrollment

356

Student-Teacher

16.2:1

Score

5.8

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cherokee

#3 of 3

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#179 of 248

In district

#3 of 3

Cherokee Comm School District

Academic growth

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Cherokee Middle School

Cherokee Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Cherokee, Iowa. The school serves students from fifth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 356 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1. With 22 full-time equivalent teachers, the school offers a supportive learning environment that fosters academic growth.

Cherokee Middle School's MySchoolScout rating is 4.6 out of 10, reflecting its state ranking as #891 out of 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it at the 31st percentile. While the overall academic score is 4.5/10, students perform well above average in science with 81% proficiency or higher, and also achieve good scores in ELA/Reading (72%) and Math (75%). The school is situated in a remote town setting where community support plays an important role in student development and education.

Despite the challenges of being located in a rural area, Cherokee Middle School continues to work towards improving its academic offerings and ensuring that all students receive a quality education tailored to their needs.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.19 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics5.5Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64%
Reading/ELA Proficiency68%
Math vs. State Avg-8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.7 pts
Overall Proficiency66%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected-2.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
Resources & Environment3.3Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,834

Cherokee Middle School — Students at Cherokee Middle School score 66% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 75.4%
School
State
73.1%
ELA Proficiency 71.9%
School
State
75.3%

Based on 16 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
76%
ELA
68%
2021*
Math
65%
ELA
64%
2022
Math
64%
ELA
68%
2025
Math
80.7%
ELA
75.9%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Cherokee Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
33th percentile in IA
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
3.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

206 E. Indian St, Cherokee, IA 51012

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cherokee Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Alta-Aurelia Middle School (rated 7.8/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Aurelia), which scores notably higher. Another option is Galva-Holstein Upper Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Galva), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Storm Lake Middle School (rated 3.8/10, 18.3 miles away, in nearby Storm Lake), a more accessible option. For more schools in Cherokee, see our Cherokee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Cherokee Elementary School Cherokee 0.0 mi 5.8
Washington High School Cherokee 0.7 mi 6.1
Aurelia Elementary School Aurelia 7.1 mi 8.9
Alta-Aurelia Middle School Aurelia 7.1 mi 7.8
ZION-ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Paullina 16.0 mi 6.6
South O'Brien Secondary School Paullina 16.3 mi 6.5
River Valley Elementary Washta 15.8 mi 7.1
MMCRU Marcus Elementary Marcus 13.3 mi 8.5
MMCRU High School Marcus 13.4 mi 6.1
Alta Elementary School Alta 14.3 mi 8.3
Alta-Aurelia High School Alta 14.3 mi 7.5
Galva-Holstein Elementary School Holstein 19.3 mi 6.3
Ridge View High School Holstein 19.3 mi 5.0
Galva-Holstein Upper Elementary Galva 19.2 mi 5.8
South O'Brien Elem Sch Primghar Center Primghar 22.6 mi 7.5
Storm Lake Early Elementary School Storm Lake 18.0 mi 7.5
Storm Lake Middle School Storm Lake 18.3 mi 3.8
Storm Lake Elementary Storm Lake 18.3 mi 4.6
River Valley Junior- Senior High School Correctionville 23.0 mi 6.8
Schaller-Crestland Elementary Schaller 22.6 mi 9.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51012 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,964

Median Home Value

$127,900

Median Rent

$725/mo

Population

6,313

College Educated

20.3%

Homeownership

67.3%

Poverty Rate

22.1%

Median Age

43.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cherokee Middle School has a median household income of $56,964. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $127,900, with a median rent of $725/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Greene County Middle School Jefferson, IA 5.8
Winterset Middle School Winterset, IA 5.7
Southeast Valley Middle School Burnside, IA 5.9
Camanche Middle School Camanche, IA 6.0
Treynor Middle School Treynor, IA 5.6
Bondurant - Farrar Intermediate School Bondurant, IA 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cherokee Middle School

What grades does Cherokee Middle School serve?

Cherokee Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Cherokee Middle School?

Cherokee Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 356 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cherokee Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cherokee Middle School is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cherokee Middle School rank in IA?

Cherokee Middle School is ranked #855 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Cherokee Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cherokee Middle School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Cherokee Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cherokee Middle School has 75.4% math proficiency and 71.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cherokee Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Cherokee Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

39.3% of students at Cherokee 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

City Safety
Average (543/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cherokee). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Cherokee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cherokee Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,217
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,202
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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