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Average

#729 of 1,280 schools in IA

Holmes Junior High School

Middle School · Cedar Falls Comm School District

505 Holmes Dr, Cedar Falls, IA 50613

Enrollment

629

Student-Teacher

13.4:1

Score

6.1

Grades

7th – 9th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#729 of 1,280

In Cedar Falls

#10 of 10

public schools

In district

#10 of 10

Cedar Falls Comm School District

Academic growth

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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Holmes Junior High School

6.1/10

Middle School in Cedar Falls · grades 7th – 9th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Helen a Hansen Elementary School

7.7/10

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

Cedar Falls High School

6.3/10

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

About Holmes Junior High School

Holmes Junior High School is a public middle school in Cedar Falls, IA, part of Cedar Falls Comm School District. Holmes Junior High School serves approximately 629 students, and covers grades 7th-9th, and has a 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Holmes Junior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #729 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Holmes Junior High School show 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 6.1 · Average
  • District avg 7.1
  • IA avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Holmes Junior High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.44 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.3Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency63.2% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency75.3% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-9.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.5 pts
Overall Proficiency69% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)79% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-10.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment6.2Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,625
Chronic Absenteeism20.8%

Holmes Junior High School — Students at Holmes Junior High School score 69% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 79%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 81.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
71.4% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 79.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
78.0% (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
85%
ELA
85%
2010
Math
88%
ELA
84%
2011
Math
80%
ELA
74%
2012
Math
84%
ELA
78%
2013
Math
89%
ELA
78%
2014
Math
87%
ELA
78%
2015
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2017
Math
89%
ELA
85%
2018
Math
90%
ELA
83%
2019
Math
90%
ELA
83%
2020*
Math
79%
ELA
78%
2021*
Math
79%
ELA
78%
2022
Math
80%
ELA
83%
2025
Math
63.2%
ELA
75.3%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How Holmes Junior High School Compares

See how Holmes Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
43th percentile in IA
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
7.5/10
Very Good
Environment
6.2/10
Average
Sports
22
11 boys' · 11 girls'
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.8%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics22sports offered
11 boys'·11 girls'·44 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
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

505 Holmes Dr, Cedar Falls, IA 50613

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Holmes Junior High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Peet Junior High School (rated 8.1/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Waterloo), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hoover Middle School (rated 7.2/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Waterloo), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cedar Falls, see our Cedar Falls schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Helen A Hansen Elementary School Cedar Falls 0.1 mi 7.7
Cedar Falls High School Cedar Falls 0.6 mi 6.3
Lincoln Elementary School Cedar Falls 1.1 mi 6.2
ST PATRICK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cedar Falls 1.2 mi 7.6
North Cedar Elementary School Cedar Falls 1.9 mi 7.7
Peet Junior High School Cedar Falls 2.0 mi 8.1
Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary Cedar Falls 2.8 mi 7.3
Southdale Elementary School Cedar Falls 2.6 mi 7.8
Cedar Heights Elementary School Cedar Falls 2.9 mi 6.6
Orchard Hill Elementary School Cedar Falls 3.3 mi 7.9
Central Middle School Waterloo 4.5 mi 7.5
Fred Becker Elementary School Waterloo 4.9 mi 6.5
Lincoln Elementary School Waterloo 5.6 mi 6.9
WATERLOO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waterloo 6.6 mi 5.8
Janesville Elementary School Janesville 8.1 mi 5.7
Janesville Junior-Senior High School Janesville 8.1 mi 6.4
Kingsley Elementary School Waterloo 6.7 mi 7.3
ST EDWARD SCHOOL Waterloo 7.1 mi 6.3
Hoover Middle School Waterloo 7.3 mi 7.2
Lou Henry Elementary School Waterloo 7.3 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50613 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,642

Median Home Value

$258,300

Median Rent

$1,176/mo

Population

43,680

College Educated

48.3%

Homeownership

64.7%

Avg Commute

14.2 min

Poverty Rate

14.7%

Median Age

30.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
George Washington Middle School Dubuque, IA 6.1
Norwalk Middle School Norwalk, IA 6.1
Urbandale Middle School Urbandale, IA 6.1
Carlisle Middle School Carlisle, IA 6.0
West Middle School Sioux City, IA 6.0
George Washington Carver Academy Waterloo, IA 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Holmes Junior High School

What grades does Holmes Junior High School serve?

Holmes Junior High School serves students in grades 7th through 9th.

How many students attend Holmes Junior High School?

Holmes Junior High School has an enrollment of approximately 629 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Holmes Junior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Holmes Junior High School is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Holmes Junior High School rank in IA?

Holmes Junior High School ranks #729 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Holmes Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Holmes Junior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 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 Holmes Junior High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Holmes Junior High School has 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Holmes Junior High School a charter school?

No, Holmes Junior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Holmes Junior High School a Title I school?

No, Holmes Junior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Holmes Junior High School?

28.3% of students at Holmes Junior High 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
56 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
18 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
64 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 9th
Enrollment
629
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
47
Free/Reduced Lunch
28.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Black Hawk County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.8%

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