Very Good
#387 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 30% in state
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
7.1
Grades
7th – 9th
Enrollment
629
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
7.1
Grades
7th – 9th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cedar Falls
#4 of 10
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#69 of 248
In district
#4 of 10
Cedar Falls Comm School District
Equity
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Holmes Junior High School
Holmes Junior High School serves 629 students in grades 7-9 in Cedar Falls, Iowa, offering a strong middle school experience with impressive academic outcomes. The school maintains a favorable 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio with 47 full-time equivalent teachers, providing students with solid instructional support during these crucial transitional years. Academically, Holmes Junior High excels with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #71 out of 1,288 schools statewide, placing it in the 95th percentile of Iowa schools.
Students demonstrate strong performance across core subjects, with 83% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, and 80% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to preparing students for high school success. The school draws from a diverse community where 48% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income is $72,239.
This educated, engaged community supports student achievement while maintaining accessibility across different economic backgrounds. Holmes Junior High sits in Cedar Falls, a vibrant small city environment that combines the benefits of a close-knit community with access to educational and cultural resources that enrich the middle school experience.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Holmes Junior High School — Students at Holmes Junior High School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 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: 6.1/10.
How Holmes Junior High School Compares
See how Holmes Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 90% (2019) to 80% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 83% (2019) to 83% (2022).
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. Central Middle School (rated 7.7/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Waterloo), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Peet Junior High School (rated 7.3/10, 2.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Hoover Middle School (rated 6.7/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Waterloo), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cedar Falls, see our Cedar Falls schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.3 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Holmes Junior High School has a median household income of $75,642. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $258,300, with a median rent of $1,176/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 14 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 |
|---|---|
| George Washington Carver Academy Waterloo, IA | 7.1 |
| George Washington Middle School Dubuque, IA | 7.1 |
| Waukee Middle School Waukee, IA | 7.1 |
| Ballard Middle School Huxley, IA | 7.0 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines, IA | 7.0 |
| Mount Pleasant Middle School Mount Pleasant, IA | 7.2 |
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 is ranked #387 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Holmes Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Holmes Junior High School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Holmes Junior High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Holmes Junior High School has 84.3% math proficiency and 86.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 56 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 18 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 64 Bikeable
- County Safety
- Low (80/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (319) 553-2650
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cedar Falls Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 5,910
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,625
- District Rank
- #4 of 10
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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