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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.29 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.0Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency86%
Reading/ELA Proficiency86%
Math vs. State Avg+14 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.3 pts
Overall Proficiency86%
Expected (poverty-adj.)81%
vs. Expected+4.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,505

Roland-story Middle School — Students at Roland-story Middle School score 86% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 81%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

16.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 83.9%
School
State
73.1%
ELA Proficiency 85.9%
School
State
75.3%

Based on 16 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
75%
ELA
84%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
85%
2022
Math
86%
ELA
86%
2025
Math
87.3%
ELA
86.7%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.5/10
80th percentile in IA
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
4.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
17%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
26 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (77/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Roland-Story Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,108
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,491
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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