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#816 of 1,280 schools in IA

Sioux Central Middle School

Middle School · Sioux Central Comm School District

4440 U.S. Hwy 71, Sioux Rapids, IA 50585

Enrollment

145

Student-Teacher

24.2:1

Score

5.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sioux Rapids

#3 of 3

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#173 of 248

In district

#3 of 3

Sioux Central Comm School District

Academic performance

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Sioux Central Middle School

Sioux Central Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, nestled in a remote rural area. The school serves students from sixth through eighth grade with an enrollment of 145 students and a student-teacher ratio of 24.2:1. With six full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school offers personalized attention to help students thrive.

Sioux Central Middle School has earned a MySchoolScout Rating of 6.8 out of 10 and is ranked at #265 among Iowa's schools for its academic performance. The school’s ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 78%, while Math proficiency hits 73%. In Science, an impressive 81% of students are proficient or above.

Though the setting may be rural, Sioux Central Middle School provides a nurturing environment that supports student growth and development. With room for improvement in some areas, the school focuses on fostering academic success through dedicated teaching staff and community support. Located along U.S.

Highway 71, Sioux Central Middle School is an integral part of its small-town community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 145 students, Sioux Central 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Sioux Central Middle School is 24.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Sioux Central 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 Progress6.5Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.6 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.1Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82%
Math vs. State Avg+4.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.3 pts
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)78%
vs. Expected+1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
Resources & Environment1.8Significantly Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,197

Sioux Central Middle School — Students at Sioux Central Middle School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 78%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 73.3%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 78.3%
School
State
76.8%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2025
Math
74.7%
ELA
79.5%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How Sioux Central Middle School Compares

See how Sioux Central Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
36th percentile in IA
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
1.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

4440 U.S. Hwy 71, Sioux Rapids, IA 50585

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sioux Central Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Spencer Middle School (rated 5.9/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Spencer), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Storm Lake Middle School (rated 3.8/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Storm Lake), a more accessible option. For more schools in Sioux Rapids, see our Sioux Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Sioux Central Elementary School Sioux Rapids 0.0 mi 6.0
Sioux Central High School Sioux Rapids 0.0 mi 6.8
Albert City-Truesdale Elementary School Albert City 11.9 mi 8.8
St Lake/IA Cntrl/Buena Vista Early College HS Storm Lake 15.8 mi 5.6
Storm Lake High School Storm Lake 15.8 mi 2.4
Clay Central-Everly Elementary Royal 14.7 mi 8.1
East Early Childhood Ctr Storm Lake 16.0 mi 7.7
Storm Lake Early Elementary School Storm Lake 15.7 mi 7.5
Storm Lake Middle School Storm Lake 16.1 mi 3.8
Storm Lake Elementary Storm Lake 16.2 mi 4.6
Lincoln Elementary School Spencer 17.8 mi 5.2
Alta Elementary School Alta 16.5 mi 8.3
Alta-Aurelia High School Alta 16.5 mi 7.5
Spencer High School Spencer 18.4 mi 5.8
Johnson Elementary Spencer 18.8 mi 7.5
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Spencer 19.0 mi 6.8
Spencer Middle School Spencer 19.2 mi 5.9
Fairview Park Elementary Spencer 19.3 mi 3.9
IOWA GREAT LAKES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Spencer 19.6 mi 6.2
Laurens-Marathon Elementary School Laurens 15.2 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50585 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,179

Median Home Value

$99,200

Median Rent

$641/mo

Population

1,165

College Educated

19.9%

Homeownership

86.5%

Poverty Rate

4.2%

Median Age

42.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sioux Central Middle School has a median household income of $70,179. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $99,200, with a median rent of $641/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Highland Middle School Riverside, IA 5.9
Galva-Holstein Upper Elementary Galva, IA 5.8
Lake Mills Middle School Lake Mills, IA 5.8
Pleasantville Middle School Pleasantville, IA 5.8
Wapello Junior High School Wapello, IA 6.1
West Bend-Mallard Middle School West Bend, IA 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sioux Central Middle School

What grades does Sioux Central Middle School serve?

Sioux Central Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Sioux Central Middle School?

Sioux Central Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 145 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sioux Central Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sioux Central Middle School is 24.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sioux Central Middle School rank in IA?

Sioux Central Middle School is ranked #816 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Sioux Central Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sioux Central Middle School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Sioux Central Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sioux Central Middle School has 73.3% math proficiency and 78.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sioux Central Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Sioux Central Middle School a Title I school?

No, Sioux Central Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sioux Central Middle School?

23.4% of students at Sioux Central 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

County Safety
Low (169/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
145
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
23.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Buena Vista County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Sioux Central Comm School District
District Enrollment
639
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,034
District Rank
#3 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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