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Excellent

#36 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 3% in state

North Iowa Middle School

Middle School · North Iowa Comm School District

111 3rd Ave NW, Buffalo Center, IA 50424

Enrollment

100

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

9.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#36 of 1,280

In Buffalo Center

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

North Iowa Comm School District

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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North Iowa Middle School

9.0/10

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

North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center

7.9/10

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

North Iowa High School

5.7/10

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

About North Iowa Middle School

North Iowa Middle School is a public middle school in Buffalo Center, IA, part of North Iowa Comm School District. North Iowa Middle School serves approximately 100 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio. North Iowa Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #36 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for North Iowa Middle School show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.3 pts above IA schools
  • This school 9.0 · Excellent
  • IA avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

At 100 students, North Iowa Middle School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

North Iowa Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.4Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change+0.25 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.7Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency79.5% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency82.1% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.4 pts
Overall Proficiency81% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)70% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+10.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,962

North Iowa Middle School — Students at North Iowa Middle School score 81% proficient, which is above 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%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 65.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.4% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 65.8% (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

↑ Improving

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

2009
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2020*
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
79.5%
ELA
82.1%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How North Iowa Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
9.0/10
97th percentile in IA
Academic
8.7/10
Excellent
Growth
9.4/10
Excellent
Environment
8.9/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

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

111 3rd Ave NW, Buffalo Center, IA 50424

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering North Iowa Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Forest City Middle School (rated 8.8/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Forest City), with a very similar rating. Another option is North Union Middle School (rated 8.6/10, 18.3 miles away, in nearby Swea City), with a comparable rating. Additionally, BLUE EARTH AREA MIDDLE (rated 6.1/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Blue Earth), a more accessible option. For more schools in Buffalo Center, see our Buffalo Center schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.0 mi
School Distance Rating
North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center Buffalo Center 0.0 mi 7.9
North Iowa High School Buffalo Center 0.0 mi 5.7
Blue Earth Area Early Childhood Spe Blue Earth 18.9 mi
BLUE EARTH AREA MIDDLE Blue Earth 18.9 mi 6.1
Blue Earth Area Elementary Blue Earth 18.9 mi 4.4
Blue Earth Area Secondary Blue Earth 19.5 mi 6.5
Forest City Elementary School Forest City 17.1 mi 6.9
Forest City High School Forest City 17.3 mi 7.6
Forest City Middle School Forest City 17.3 mi 8.8
West Hancock High School Britt 21.5 mi 8.9
West Hancock Elementary School Britt 21.6 mi 8.5
SCARVILLE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Scarville 17.5 mi
North Kossuth Elementary School Swea City 18.3 mi 9.3
North Union Middle School Swea City 18.3 mi 8.6
UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Wells 26.1 mi 8.2
UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Wells 26.1 mi 6.0
BISHOP GARRIGAN CAMPUS Algona 25.2 mi 6.7
ST CASIMIR'S SCHOOL Wells 26.7 mi
Bertha Godfrey Elementary School Algona 25.9 mi 4.4
Lake Mills Elementary School Lake Mills 21.0 mi 9.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50424 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,125

Median Home Value

$109,200

Median Rent

$643/mo

Population

1,590

College Educated

25.4%

Homeownership

72.3%

Avg Commute

19.3 min

Poverty Rate

7.2%

Median Age

51.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
North-Linn Middle School Troy Mills, IA 8.8
South Winneshiek Middle School Ossian, IA 8.7
Montezuma Junior High School Montezuma, IA 8.6
North Union Middle School Swea City, IA 8.6
Pierson Middle School Pierson, IA 8.5
George-Little Rock Middle School George, IA 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about North Iowa Middle School

What grades does North Iowa Middle School serve?

North Iowa Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend North Iowa Middle School?

North Iowa Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 100 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at North Iowa Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at North Iowa Middle School is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does North Iowa Middle School rank in IA?

North Iowa Middle School ranks #36 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is North Iowa Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

North Iowa Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 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 North Iowa Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, North Iowa Middle School has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is North Iowa Middle School a charter school?

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

Is North Iowa Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

45.0% of students at North Iowa 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
34 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
100
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Winnebago County

District

North Iowa Comm School District
District Enrollment
465
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,962
District Rank
#1 of 3

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