Very Good
#263 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 21% in state
Roland-story Middle School
Middle School · Roland-Story Comm School District
206 S Main St, Roland, IA 50236
Enrollment
300
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.5
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
300
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.5
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa middle schools
#46 of 248
In district
#1 of 3
Roland-Story Comm School District
Equity
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Roland-story Middle School
Roland-Story Middle School serves 300 students in grades 5 through 8 in the small community of Roland, Iowa. This rural public school maintains an impressive academic record, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranking 84th out of 1,288 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 94th percentile. The school's academic strength is evident in its test performance, with 86% of students achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts and Mathematics across all grade levels.
With 20 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, Roland-Story Middle School maintains a favorable 15-to-1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more personalized attention and instruction. Students come from a stable, economically secure community where the median household income reaches $84,234 and the poverty rate remains exceptionally low at just 0.6%. Nearly one-third of local adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a community that values education.
The median home value of $176,300 indicates a well-established residential area. Roland-Story Middle School operates within Story County's rural landscape, providing students with a close-knit educational environment where academic excellence flourishes alongside small-town values and community connections.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Roland-story 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
Roland-story Middle School — Students at Roland-story Middle School score 86% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 81%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
16.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 16 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: 7.9/10.
How Roland-story Middle School Compares
See how Roland-story Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 75% (2019) to 86% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 84% (2019) to 86% (2022).
Location
206 S Main St, Roland, IA 50236
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Roland-story Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Nevada Middle School (rated 8.2/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Nevada), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Gilbert Middle School (rated 6.3/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Gilbert), a more accessible option. For more schools in Roland, see our Roland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Roland-Story High School Story City | 4.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Roland-Story Elementary School Story City | 4.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Gilbert Middle School Gilbert | 8.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Gilbert High School Gilbert | 8.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Gilbert Intermediate School Gilbert | 8.3 mi | 4.4 |
| Central Elementary School Nevada | 10.3 mi | 9.0 |
| Nevada Middle School Nevada | 10.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Nevada High School Nevada | 10.4 mi | 3.8 |
| Gilbert Elementary School Gilbert | 8.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Northwood Pre-School Ames | 10.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Hubbard-Radcliffe Elementary School Radcliffe | 11.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Meeker Elementary School Ames | 10.4 mi | 7.4 |
| ST CECILIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ames | 10.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Fellows Elementary School Ames | 10.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Ames High School Ames | 10.9 mi | 5.9 |
| AMES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ames | 12.5 mi | 6.5 |
| South Hamilton Middle And High School Jewell | 12.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Mitchell Elementary School Ames | 13.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Colo-Nesco Elementary School Zearing | 10.4 mi | 6.0 |
| South Hamilton Elem Jewell | 12.2 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50236 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$86,793
Median Home Value
$185,900
Median Rent
$1,097/mo
Population
1,699
College Educated
30.7%
Homeownership
85.1%
Avg Commute
22.1 min
Poverty Rate
0.6%
Median Age
44.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Roland-story Middle School has a median household income of $86,793. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $185,900, with a median rent of $1,097/month. The local poverty rate of 0.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Algona Middle School Algona, IA | 7.5 |
| Center Point-Urbana Middle School Center Point, IA | 7.4 |
| Fairfield Middle School Fairfield, IA | 7.4 |
| Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Middle School Garner, IA | 7.4 |
| Keokuk Middle School Keokuk, IA | 7.4 |
| Knoxville Middle School Knoxville, IA | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Roland-story Middle School
What grades does Roland-story Middle School serve?
Roland-story Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Roland-story Middle School?
Roland-story Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 300 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Roland-story Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Roland-story Middle School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Roland-story Middle School rank in IA?
Roland-story Middle School is ranked #263 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Roland-story Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Roland-story Middle School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Roland-story Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Roland-story Middle School has 83.9% math proficiency and 85.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Roland-story Middle School a charter school?
No, Roland-story Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Roland-story Middle School a Title I school?
No, Roland-story Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Roland-story Middle School?
16.7% of students at Roland-story 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
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 300
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 16.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Story County
- Phone
- (515) 388-4348
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Roland-Story Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,108
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,491
- 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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