Skip to main content

Excellent

#108 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 8% in state

Grundy Center Middle School

Middle School · Grundy Center Comm School District

1006 M Ave, Grundy Center, IA 50638

Enrollment

217

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

8.0

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grundy Center

#1 of 3

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#14 of 248

In district

#1 of 3

Grundy Center Comm School District

Equity

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Grundy Center Middle School

Grundy Center Middle School serves 217 students in grades 5-8 in the heart of rural Iowa, delivering exceptional academic results that place it among the state's elite institutions. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranking 12th out of 1,288 Iowa schools, this public middle school demonstrates remarkable educational excellence in its small-town setting. The school's academic performance is truly impressive, with 90% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 85% reach proficiency in mathematics.

These outstanding results reflect the dedicated work of 17 full-time equivalent teachers who maintain a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.8 to 1, allowing for more personalized attention and support. Located at 1006 M Ave in Grundy Center, the school serves a stable community where the median household income reaches $81,446 and homeownership is accessible with median home values around $157,100. The surrounding ZIP code of 50638 houses 3,330 residents, with 28% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of just 8.2%.

Grundy Center Middle School thrives in its rural Iowa community, providing students with a high-quality education in a close-knit, economically stable environment that values both academic achievement and small-town connections.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Grundy Center 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 Progress6.7Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.68 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.6Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency85%
Reading/ELA Proficiency90%
Math vs. State Avg+13 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19.3 pts
Overall Proficiency88%
Expected (poverty-adj.)75%
vs. Expected+12.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,639

Grundy Center Middle School — Students at Grundy Center Middle School score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

27.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 85.2%
School
State
73.1%
ELA Proficiency 86.6%
School
State
75.3%

Based on 16 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
83%
ELA
83%
2021*
Math
80%
ELA
87%
2022
Math
85%
ELA
90%
2025
Math
87.1%
ELA
86.6%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Grundy Center Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
92th percentile in IA
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

1006 M Ave, Grundy Center, IA 50638

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Grundy Center Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Aplington-Parkersburg Middle School (rated 7.8/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Aplington), with a very similar rating. Another option is Dike-New Hartford Junior High School (rated 6.8/10, 16.9 miles away, in nearby New Hartford), a more accessible option. Additionally, AGWSR Middle School (rated 6.7/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Wellsburg), a more accessible option. For more schools in Grundy Center, see our Grundy Center schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Grundy Center High School Grundy Center 0.0 mi 5.4
Grundy Center Elementary School Grundy Center 0.3 mi 6.1
BCLUW Elementary School Conrad 9.9 mi 8.7
BCLUW High School Conrad 10.0 mi 7.7
AGWSR Middle School Wellsburg 9.5 mi 6.7
AGWSR Elementary at Wellsburg Wellsburg 9.5 mi 7.6
Gladbrook-Reinbeck Jr. High & High School Reinbeck 9.5 mi 8.1
Gladbrook-Reinbeck Elementary School Reinbeck 9.7 mi 6.4
Dike Elementary School Dike 10.9 mi 7.2
Dike-New Hartford High School Dike 10.9 mi 6.9
TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wellsburg 10.9 mi 5.6
Aplington-Parkersburg High School Parkersburg 15.0 mi 7.4
Parkersburg Elementary School Parkersburg 15.1 mi 7.2
Aplington Elementary School Aplington 16.4 mi 5.7
Aplington-Parkersburg Middle School Aplington 16.4 mi 7.8
GMG Elementary School Green Mountain 17.3 mi 3.7
Dike-New Hartford Junior High School New Hartford 16.9 mi 6.8
New Hartford Elementary School New Hartford 16.9 mi 6.0
GMG Secondary School Garwin 18.7 mi 5.8
Choice Charter School Union 16.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50638 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,500

Median Home Value

$181,000

Median Rent

$681/mo

Population

3,474

College Educated

25.2%

Homeownership

80.5%

Avg Commute

22.4 min

Poverty Rate

9%

Median Age

38.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Grundy Center Middle School has a median household income of $79,500. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $181,000, with a median rent of $681/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
LASALLE CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Cedar Rapids, IA 8.0
Southwest Valley Middle School Villisca, IA 8.0
Creston Middle School Creston, IA 8.1
West Sioux Middle School Hawarden, IA 8.1
Alta-Aurelia Middle School Aurelia, IA 7.8
Aplington-Parkersburg Middle School Aplington, IA 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Grundy Center Middle School

What grades does Grundy Center Middle School serve?

Grundy Center Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Grundy Center Middle School?

Grundy Center Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 217 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Grundy Center Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Grundy Center Middle School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Grundy Center Middle School rank in IA?

Grundy Center Middle School is ranked #108 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Grundy Center Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Grundy Center Middle School has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Grundy Center Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Grundy Center Middle School has 85.2% math proficiency and 86.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Grundy Center Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Grundy Center Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

27.6% of students at Grundy Center 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
38 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (321/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
217
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
27.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Grundy County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Grundy Center Comm School District
District Enrollment
796
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,041
District Rank
#1 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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.