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#668 of 1,280 schools in IA

East Buchanan Middle School

Middle School · East Buchanan Comm School District

414 5th St North, Winthrop, IA 50682

Enrollment

86

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

6.3

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Winthrop

#2 of 3

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#151 of 248

In district

#2 of 3

East Buchanan Comm School District

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About East Buchanan Middle School

East Buchanan Middle School is a rural public middle school located in Winthrop, Iowa. With an enrollment of just 86 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1, the school offers a personalized learning environment where teachers can give individual attention to each student. The campus sits on 5th Street North, providing a close-knit community feel.

East Buchanan Middle School covers grades seven through eight. Students here excel in core subjects; about 70% of students are proficient or above in both English Language Arts and Math, with nearly identical performance in Science at 69%. While the school’s MySchoolScout rating is relatively modest at 4.4 out of 10, this reflects a focus on student development rather than solely academic achievement.

East Buchanan Middle School stands as an important educational resource in its rural setting, fostering a supportive community for young adolescents to grow and learn.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 86 students, East Buchanan Middle School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at East Buchanan Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, East Buchanan 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 Progress9.9Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+3.69 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.3Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Math vs. State Avg-15.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.8 pts
Overall Proficiency62%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected-9.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
Resources & Environment3.5Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,503

East Buchanan Middle School — Students at East Buchanan Middle School score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 69.6%
School
State
73.9%
ELA Proficiency 70.2%
School
State
78.4%

Based on 11 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
57%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
86%
ELA
77.4%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How East Buchanan Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
48th percentile in IA
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
3.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

414 5th St North, Winthrop, IA 50682

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering East Buchanan Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. North-Linn Middle School (rated 6.8/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Troy Mills), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Starmont Middle School (rated 6.5/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Arlington), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Oelwein Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 15.9 miles away, in nearby Oelwein), a more accessible option. For more schools in Winthrop, see our Winthrop schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.1 mi
School Distance Rating
East Buchanan Elementary School Winthrop 0.0 mi 8.0
East Buchanan High School Winthrop 0.0 mi 6.1
INDEPENDENCE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Independence 7.6 mi
ST JOHNS SCHOOL Independence 7.8 mi 6.2
Early Childhood Center Independence 8.6 mi 5.4
East Elementary School Independence 8.7 mi 7.1
West Elementary School Independence 8.8 mi 6.0
Independence Junior Senior High School Independence 9.2 mi 6.4
North-Linn Middle School Troy Mills 13.3 mi 6.8
North-Linn Senior High School Troy Mills 13.3 mi 6.5
North Linn Elementary Troy Mills 13.3 mi 7.1
Starmont Elementary School Arlington 15.4 mi 5.5
Starmont High School Arlington 15.4 mi 6.6
Starmont Middle School Arlington 15.4 mi 6.5
Perry #1 Elementary School Jesup 13.0 mi
Oelwein Middle School Oelwein 15.9 mi 5.0
Little Husky Learning Center Oelwein 15.9 mi 4.3
Oelwein High School Oelwein 16.0 mi 4.8
Wings Park Elementary School Oelwein 16.5 mi 8.2
Prairie Grove Elementary School Jesup 14.1 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50682 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$85,625

Median Home Value

$181,600

Median Rent

$940/mo

Population

1,700

College Educated

26.6%

Homeownership

83.9%

Avg Commute

23.5 min

Poverty Rate

3.1%

Median Age

39.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding East Buchanan Middle School has a median household income of $85,625. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $181,600, with a median rent of $940/month. The local poverty rate of 3.1% 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
Charter Oak-Ute Junior High School Charter Oak, IA 6.4
Adair-Casey Jr. High School Adair, IA 6.1
Wapello Junior High School Wapello, IA 6.1
Woodbury Central Middle School Moville, IA 6.5
Highland Middle School Riverside, IA 5.9
Lamoni Middle School Lamoni, IA 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about East Buchanan Middle School

What grades does East Buchanan Middle School serve?

East Buchanan Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend East Buchanan Middle School?

East Buchanan Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 86 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at East Buchanan Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at East Buchanan Middle School is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does East Buchanan Middle School rank in IA?

East Buchanan Middle School is ranked #668 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is East Buchanan Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

East Buchanan Middle School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 East Buchanan Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, East Buchanan Middle School has 69.6% math proficiency and 70.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is East Buchanan Middle School a charter school?

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

Is East Buchanan Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

34.9% of students at East Buchanan 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

County Safety
Average (325/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
86
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Buchanan County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

East Buchanan Comm School District
District Enrollment
581
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,350
District Rank
#2 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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