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Very Good

#360 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 28% in state

Harlan Community Middle School

Middle School · Harlan Comm School District

2108 Durant St, Harlan, IA 51537

Enrollment

343

Student-Teacher

17.1:1

Score

7.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#360 of 1,280

In Harlan

#1 of 4

public schools

In district

#1 of 4

Harlan Comm School District

Equity

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Harlan Community Middle School

7.5/10

Middle School in Harlan · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Harlan High School

5.9/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Harlan Primary

5.7/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Harlan Community Middle School

Harlan Community Middle School is a public middle school in Harlan, IA, part of Harlan Comm School District. Harlan Community Middle School serves approximately 343 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Harlan Community Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #360 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Harlan Community Middle School show 83% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts above IA schools
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • IA avg 6.7

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.12 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.2Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency85.7% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency83% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+13.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.3 pts
Overall Proficiency84% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)73% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+11.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
Resources & Environment3.5Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,544
Chronic Absenteeism23%

Harlan Community Middle School — Students at Harlan Community Middle School score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 83.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.4% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 82.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
76.8% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
84%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
88%
ELA
89%
2011
Math
85%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
84%
ELA
76%
2013
Math
84%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
86%
ELA
80%
2015
Math
84%
ELA
81%
2016
Math
90%
ELA
84%
2017
Math
93%
ELA
84%
2018
Math
83%
ELA
84%
2019
Math
83%
ELA
84%
2020*
Math
70%
ELA
81%
2021*
Math
70%
ELA
81%
2022
Math
76%
ELA
84%
2025
Math
85.7%
ELA
83%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Harlan Community Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
72th percentile in IA
Academic
9.2/10
Excellent
Growth
8.6/10
Excellent
Environment
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2108 Durant St, Harlan, IA 51537

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Harlan Community Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. AHSTW Intermediate School (rated 8.2/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Avoca), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Tri-Center Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 16.9 miles away, in nearby Neola), a more accessible option. For more schools in Harlan, see our Harlan schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Harlan High School Harlan 0.1 mi 5.9
Harlan Primary Harlan 0.2 mi 5.7
Harlan Intermediate School Harlan 0.2 mi 4.5
SHELBY COUNTY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Harlan 0.7 mi 7.0
AHSTW Primary School Avoca 13.0 mi 8.6
AHSTW High School Avoca 13.0 mi 8.1
AHSTW Intermediate School Avoca 13.0 mi 8.2
Irwin Elementary School Irwin 11.8 mi 8.1
ExiraElk Horn-Kimballton High School Elk Horn 15.3 mi 6.7
Tri-Center Middle School Neola 16.9 mi 5.8
Tri-Center Elementary School Neola 16.9 mi 8.4
Tri-Center High School Neola 16.9 mi 4.8
Boyer Valley Elementary School Dow City 20.2 mi 8.6
Boyer Valley Middle/High School Dunlap 18.9 mi 7.7
ST ROSE OF LIMA SCHOOL Denison 24.7 mi 5.0
Oakland Elementary Oakland 24.6 mi 3.8
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Denison 24.8 mi 6.5
Broadway Elementary School Denison 24.8 mi 7.7
Denison Elementary School Denison 24.9 mi 4.8
Denison High School Denison 25.5 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51537 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,353

Median Home Value

$161,800

Median Rent

$854/mo

Population

6,480

College Educated

23.9%

Homeownership

73.3%

Avg Commute

14.6 min

Poverty Rate

8.6%

Median Age

44.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Central DeWitt Middle School De Witt, IA 7.5
Central Middle School Waterloo, IA 7.5
Chariton Middle School Chariton, IA 7.5
Fairfield Middle School Fairfield, IA 7.5
IKM-Manning Middle School Manning, IA 7.5
Keokuk Middle School Keokuk, IA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Harlan Community Middle School

What grades does Harlan Community Middle School serve?

Harlan Community Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Harlan Community Middle School?

Harlan Community Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 343 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Harlan Community Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Harlan Community Middle School is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Harlan Community Middle School rank in IA?

Harlan Community Middle School ranks #360 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Harlan Community Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Harlan Community Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Harlan Community Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Harlan Community Middle School has 83% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Harlan Community Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Harlan Community Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

39.9% of students at Harlan Community 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
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
343
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Shelby County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.0%

District

Harlan Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,505
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,544
District Rank
#1 of 4

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