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Below Average

#1091 of 1,280 schools in IA

South Central Calhoun Middle School

Middle School · South Central Calhoun Comm School District

1000 Tonawanda Street, Rockwell City, IA 50579

Enrollment

327

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

4.8

Grades

4th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rockwell City

#2 of 2

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#217 of 248

In district

#3 of 3

South Central Calhoun Comm School District

About South Central Calhoun Middle School

South Central Calhoun Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Rockwell City, Iowa, nestled in the remote rural setting of Calhoun County. The school serves students from fourth through eighth grade with an enrollment of 327 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1. With 22 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention to its diverse group of learners.

South Central Calhoun Middle School’s academic performance shows room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1164 out of 1288 schools in Iowa. Students perform well in reading with 69% achieving proficiency or above, while math scores stand at 68%, and science scores are slightly higher at 71%. The school focuses on fostering student development across various subjects to ensure a solid educational foundation for its students.

South Central Calhoun Middle School is situated in a rural community where students benefit from small-town charm and close-knit relationships.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, South Central Calhoun 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 Progress4.3Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.36 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.1Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60%
Math vs. State Avg-18 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17 pts
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected-6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
Resources & Environment6.5Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,490

South Central Calhoun Middle School — Students at South Central Calhoun Middle School score 58% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.6%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 68.8%
School
State
75.6%

Based on 18 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
70%
ELA
76%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
64%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
60%
2025
Math
70.4%
ELA
70%

* 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: 4.3/10.

How South Central Calhoun Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
15th percentile in IA
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
4.3/10
Below average
Environment
6.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

1000 Tonawanda Street, Rockwell City, IA 50579

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Central Calhoun Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Carroll Middle School (rated 5.1/10, 23.3 miles away, in nearby Carroll), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Newell-Fonda Middle Sch. (rated 4.2/10, 23.2 miles away, in nearby Newell), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Rockwell City, see our Rockwell City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.2 mi
School Distance Rating
South Central Calhoun Elementary School Rockwell City 1.1 mi 7.1
South Central Calhoun High School Lake City 10.0 mi 5.8
Manson Northwest Webster Junior High/High School Manson 11.5 mi 4.9
Paton-Churdan Elementary Churdan 18.3 mi 5.7
Paton-Churdan Jr-Sr High School Churdan 18.3 mi 6.6
Manson Northwest Webster Elementary Barnum 16.4 mi 7.0
Pocahontas Area Regional Learning Center Pocahontas 23.5 mi
Pocahontas Area Elementary School Pocahontas 23.5 mi 5.4
Glidden-Ralston Elementary School Glidden 23.3 mi 6.6
Glidden-Ralston Jr-Sr High School Glidden 23.3 mi 6.7
Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School Pocahontas 23.6 mi 5.8
East Sac County Elementary Sac City 18.5 mi 8.0
Carroll Middle School Carroll 23.3 mi 5.1
Carroll High School Carroll 23.6 mi 6.7
Fairview Elementary School Carroll 24.2 mi 6.5
Adams Elementary School Carroll 24.9 mi 7.2
Gilmore City Elementary School Gilmore City 25.4 mi 4.7
KUEMPER CATHOLIC GRADE SCHOOL Carroll 25.7 mi 6.0
Newell-Fonda Middle Sch. Newell 23.2 mi 4.2
Newell-Fonda Elementary Newell 23.2 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50579 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,464

Median Home Value

$136,800

Median Rent

$760/mo

Population

3,176

College Educated

20.2%

Homeownership

79.5%

Avg Commute

22.1 min

Poverty Rate

5.9%

Median Age

40.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Central Calhoun Middle School has a median household income of $69,464. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $136,800, with a median rent of $760/month. The local poverty rate of 5.9% 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
Clarke Community Middle School Osceola, IA 4.8
Maquoketa Middle School Maquoketa, IA 4.7
Wilson Middle School Cedar Rapids, IA 4.7
REGIS MIDDLE SCHOOL Cedar Rapids, IA 4.9
Davis County Middle School Bloomfield, IA 4.6
Oelwein Middle School Oelwein, IA 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Central Calhoun Middle School

What grades does South Central Calhoun Middle School serve?

South Central Calhoun Middle School serves students in grades 4th through 8th.

How many students attend South Central Calhoun Middle School?

South Central Calhoun Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 327 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at South Central Calhoun Middle School is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Central Calhoun Middle School rank in IA?

South Central Calhoun Middle School is ranked #1091 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is South Central Calhoun Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Central Calhoun Middle School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 South Central Calhoun Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Central Calhoun Middle School has 67.6% math proficiency and 68.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Central Calhoun Middle School a charter school?

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

Is South Central Calhoun Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

46.5% of students at South Central Calhoun 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
4th – 8th
Enrollment
327
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
46.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Calhoun County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

South Central Calhoun Comm School District
District Enrollment
915
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,957
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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