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Very Good

#192 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 15% 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

7.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Buffalo Center

#1 of 3

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#36 of 248

In district

#1 of 3

North Iowa Comm School District

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About North Iowa Middle School

North Iowa Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural community of Buffalo Center, Iowa. The school serves students in grades six through eight with an enrollment of 100 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1. With eight full-time equivalent teachers, North Iowa Middle School provides personalized attention to each student.

Academically, the school has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10, placing it at number 691 among 1288 schools in Iowa, which is around the 46th percentile. In terms of proficiency rates, 71% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 67% in Math, while a strong 88% of students achieve proficiency in Science. Though North Iowa Middle School has room for academic growth, it offers a supportive environment that focuses on student development.

The school is situated in a remote rural setting where the community likely plays an integral role in supporting educational efforts and extracurricular activities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 100 students, North Iowa Middle School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at North Iowa Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, North Iowa Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+4.41 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.3Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Math vs. State Avg-15.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.7 pts
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)66%
vs. Expected-6.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,297

North Iowa Middle School — Students at North Iowa Middle School score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

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 67.4%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 71.2%
School
State
76.8%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
62%
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: 9.9/10.

How North Iowa Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.7/10
85th percentile in IA
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

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

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. North Union Middle School (rated 9.0/10, 18.3 miles away, in nearby Swea City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Forest City Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Forest City), with a comparable rating. Additionally, BLUE EARTH AREA MIDDLE (rated 6.4/10, 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 7.3
North Iowa High School Buffalo Center 0.0 mi 5.9
Blue Earth Area Early Childhood Spe Blue Earth 18.9 mi
BLUE EARTH AREA MIDDLE Blue Earth 18.9 mi 6.4
Blue Earth Area Elementary Blue Earth 18.9 mi 3.5
Blue Earth Area Secondary Blue Earth 19.5 mi 6.1
Forest City Elementary School Forest City 17.1 mi 8.3
Forest City High School Forest City 17.3 mi 8.2
Forest City Middle School Forest City 17.3 mi 7.0
West Hancock High School Britt 21.5 mi 8.3
West Hancock Elementary School Britt 21.6 mi 7.9
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 9.0
UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Wells 26.1 mi 7.9
UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Wells 26.1 mi 5.2
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 4.1
Lake Mills Elementary School Lake Mills 21.0 mi 8.4

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding North Iowa Middle School has a median household income of $58,125. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $109,200, with a median rent of $643/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
BCLUW Middle School Union, IA 7.7
Southeast Warren Intermediate Lacona, IA 7.8
Montezuma Junior High School Montezuma, IA 7.9
George-Little Rock Middle School George, IA 8.0
Southwest Valley Middle School Villisca, IA 8.0
MATER DEI SCHOOL NATIVITY CENTER Sioux City, IA 7.3

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 is ranked #192 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is North Iowa Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

North Iowa Middle School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 North Iowa Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Iowa Middle School has 67.4% math proficiency and 71.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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