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
Enrollment
100
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
7.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
North Iowa Middle School — Students at North Iowa Middle School score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.9/10.
How North Iowa Middle School Compares
See how North Iowa Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 62% (2019) to 62% (2022).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (641) 562-2525
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
North Iowa Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 465
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,962
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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