Below Average
#1151 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
4.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
306
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
4.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Centerville
#4 of 4
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#231 of 248
In district
#4 of 4
Centerville Comm School District
About Howar Middle School
Howar Middle School is a regular public school located in Centerville, Iowa, in Appanoose County. Serving students in grades six through eight, the school has an enrollment of 306 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17:1 with 18 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Situated in a remote town setting, Howar Middle School focuses on providing educational support to its community.
The academic performance at Howar Middle School shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranking 1147th among 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it around the 11th percentile statewide. Students perform reasonably well in ELA/Reading, where 68% are proficient or above, while Math proficiency stands at 64%, and Science proficiency is slightly lower at 58%. The school community values its role as an essential part of Centerville’s educational landscape.
Howar Middle School sits in a rural setting surrounded by the quiet charm of Appanoose County.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Howar Middle School — Students at Howar Middle School score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.4%
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: 4.5/10.
How Howar Middle School Compares
See how Howar Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 59% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 66% (2022).
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. PUTNAM CO. MIDDLE (rated 6.4/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Unionville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Albia Middle School (rated 4.7/10, 21.4 miles away, in nearby Albia), with a very similar rating. 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 | 4.7 |
| Lakeview Elementary Centerville | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Centerville Community Preschool Bldg Centerville | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Moravia Elementary School Moravia | 12.1 mi | 9.0 |
| Moravia High School Moravia | 12.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Moulton Elementary School Moulton | 10.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Moulton-Udell High School Moulton | 10.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Seymour Elementary School Seymour | 12.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Seymour High School Seymour | 12.9 mi | 6.5 |
| PUTNAM CO. MIDDLE Unionville | 18.9 mi | 6.4 |
| PUTNAM CO. ELEM. Unionville | 18.9 mi | 6.2 |
| PUTNAM CO. HIGH Unionville | 18.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Grant Center Albia | 20.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Kendall Center Albia | 21.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Lincoln Center Albia | 21.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Albia High School Albia | 21.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Albia Middle School Albia | 21.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Blakesburg Elementary Blakesburg | 20.4 mi | 5.9 |
| SCHUYLER CO. ELEM. Queen City | 26.6 mi | 6.5 |
| SCHUYLER CO. HIGH Queen City | 26.6 mi | 8.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Howar Middle School has a median household income of $45,257. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $114,100, with a median rent of $779/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Davis County Middle School Bloomfield, IA | 4.6 |
| Solon Middle School Solon, IA | 4.4 |
| Maquoketa Middle School Maquoketa, IA | 4.7 |
| Wilson Middle School Cedar Rapids, IA | 4.7 |
| Clarke Community Middle School Osceola, IA | 4.8 |
| South Central Calhoun Middle School Rockwell City, IA | 4.8 |
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 is ranked #1151 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Howar Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Howar Middle School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Howar Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Howar Middle School has 63.9% math proficiency and 67.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,334/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Centerville). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (641) 856-0760
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Centerville Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,325
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,706
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
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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