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Average

#964 of 1,280 schools in IA

Howar Middle School

Middle School · Centerville Comm School District

850 S Park Street, Centerville, IA 52544

Enrollment

306

Student-Teacher

17:1

Score

5.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#964 of 1,280

In Centerville

#2 of 4

public schools

In district

#2 of 4

Centerville Comm School District

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Howar Middle School

5.1/10

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

Centerville High School

5.8/10

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

Lakeview Elementary

4.4/10

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

About Howar Middle School

Howar Middle School is a public middle school in Centerville, IA, part of Centerville Comm School District. Howar Middle School serves approximately 306 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17:1 student-teacher ratio. Howar Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #964 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Howar Middle School show 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.6 pts below IA schools
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • IA avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

33% of students at Howar Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.9Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.57 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.8Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65.7% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.7% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-6.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5 pts
Overall Proficiency67% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)70% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-2.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,706
Chronic Absenteeism33%

Howar Middle School — Students at Howar Middle School score 67% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 68.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.4% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 69.8% (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
70%
ELA
73%
2010
Math
76%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
73%
ELA
64%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
76%
ELA
79%
2015
Math
78%
ELA
80%
2016
Math
74%
ELA
73%
2017
Math
69%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
70%
ELA
69%
2019
Math
70%
ELA
69%
2020*
Math
57%
ELA
66%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
66%
2022
Math
59%
ELA
66%
2025
Math
65.7%
ELA
68.7%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How Howar Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
25th percentile in IA
Academic
4.8/10
Below Average
Growth
6.9/10
Average
Environment
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.0%

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

850 S Park Street, Centerville, IA 52544

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Howar Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Albia Middle School (rated 7.2/10, 21.4 miles away, in nearby Albia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PUTNAM CO. MIDDLE (rated 6.8/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Unionville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Centerville, see our Centerville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Centerville High School Centerville 0.2 mi 5.8
Lakeview Elementary Centerville 0.6 mi 4.4
Centerville Community Preschool Bldg Centerville 0.9 mi 2.9
Moravia Elementary School Moravia 12.1 mi 8.5
Moravia High School Moravia 12.2 mi 5.5
Moulton Elementary School Moulton 10.9 mi 3.4
Moulton-Udell High School Moulton 10.9 mi 5.3
Seymour Elementary School Seymour 12.9 mi 4.7
Seymour High School Seymour 12.9 mi 5.5
PUTNAM CO. MIDDLE Unionville 18.9 mi 6.8
PUTNAM CO. ELEM. Unionville 18.9 mi 8.4
PUTNAM CO. HIGH Unionville 18.9 mi 8.9
Grant Center Albia 20.7 mi 7.0
Kendall Center Albia 21.2 mi 2.9
Lincoln Center Albia 21.3 mi 8.2
Albia High School Albia 21.4 mi 7.0
Albia Middle School Albia 21.4 mi 7.2
Blakesburg Elementary Blakesburg 20.4 mi 6.9
SCHUYLER CO. ELEM. Queen City 26.6 mi 4.2
SCHUYLER CO. HIGH Queen City 26.6 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52544 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$45,257

Median Home Value

$114,100

Median Rent

$779/mo

Population

8,110

College Educated

19.1%

Homeownership

63.9%

Avg Commute

17.4 min

Poverty Rate

24.6%

Median Age

45.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Hampton-Dumont Middle School Hampton, IA 5.1
Maquoketa Middle School Maquoketa, IA 5.0
REGIS MIDDLE SCHOOL Cedar Rapids, IA 4.9
Greene County Middle School Jefferson, IA 5.4
Davis County Middle School Bloomfield, IA 4.7
South Central Calhoun Middle School Rockwell City, IA 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Howar Middle School

What grades does Howar Middle School serve?

Howar Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Howar Middle School?

Howar Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 306 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Howar Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Howar Middle School is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Howar Middle School rank in IA?

Howar Middle School ranks #964 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Howar Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Howar Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Howar Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Howar Middle School has 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Howar Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Howar Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

45.4% of students at Howar 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
36 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
306
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Appanoose County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.0%

District

Centerville Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,325
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,706
District Rank
#2 of 4

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