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
Enrollment
217
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
8.0
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Grundy Center Middle School — Students at Grundy Center Middle School score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 16 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.7/10.
How Grundy Center Middle School Compares
See how Grundy Center Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 83% (2019) to 85% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 83% (2019) to 90% (2022).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (319) 825-5464
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Grundy Center Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 796
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,041
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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