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Average

#581 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 45% in state

Taft Middle School

Middle School · Cedar Rapids Comm School District

5200 E Av NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405

Enrollment

596

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

6.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#581 of 1,280

In Cedar Rapids

#5 of 40

public schools

In district

#2 of 31

Cedar Rapids Comm School District

Academic growth

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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Taft Middle School

6.7/10

Middle School in Cedar Rapids · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Truman Early Learning Center

Nearby

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Hoover Elementary School

5.4/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Taft Middle School

Taft Middle School is a public middle school in Cedar Rapids, IA, part of Cedar Rapids Comm School District. Taft Middle School serves approximately 596 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Taft Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #581 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Taft Middle School show 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.9 pts above district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 4.8
  • IA avg 6.7

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.43 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.5Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70.1% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency78.5% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-2.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.8 pts
Overall Proficiency74% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)73% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
Resources & Environment5.8Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,623
Chronic Absenteeism26.2%

Taft Middle School — Students at Taft Middle School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 73.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.4% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 74.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
76.8% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
77%
ELA
68%
2010
Math
76%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
64%
2012
Math
83%
ELA
74%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
81%
2014
Math
84%
ELA
80%
2015
Math
80%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
78%
ELA
78%
2017
Math
77%
ELA
80%
2018
Math
71%
ELA
78%
2019
Math
71%
ELA
78%
2020*
Math
60%
ELA
63%
2021*
Math
60%
ELA
63%
2022
Math
63%
ELA
70%
2025
Math
70.1%
ELA
78.5%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How Taft Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
55th percentile in IA
Academic
6.5/10
Average
Growth
7.5/10
Very Good
Environment
5.8/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5200 E Av NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Taft Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. LASALLE CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy (rated 4.5/10, 2.5 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Cedar Rapids Virtual Academy Middle (rated 4.0/10, 2.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Cedar Rapids, see our Cedar Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Truman Early Learning Center Cedar Rapids 0.2 mi
Hoover Elementary School Cedar Rapids 0.9 mi 5.4
West Willow Elementary School Cedar Rapids 0.9 mi 3.9
Maple Grove Elementary Cedar Rapids 1.0 mi 6.3
LASALLE CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 1.3 mi 8.0
LASALLE CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 1.3 mi 7.5
Madison Elementary School Cedar Rapids 1.5 mi 4.8
Cleveland Elementary School Cedar Rapids 1.9 mi 2.8
Cedar Rapids Virtual Academy Middle Cedar Rapids 2.2 mi 4.0
Cedar Rapids Virtual Academy Elementary Cedar Rapids 2.2 mi
Van Buren Elementary School Cedar Rapids 2.4 mi 3.4
Thomas Jefferson High School Cedar Rapids 2.3 mi 3.0
XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 3.2 mi 5.3
Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy Cedar Rapids 2.5 mi 4.5
Harrison Elementary School Cedar Rapids 2.6 mi 3.5
Cedar River Academy at Taylor Cedar Rapids 3.1 mi 3.7
Viola Gibson Elementary School Cedar Rapids 4.3 mi 7.8
ISAAC NEWTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cedar Rapids 3.8 mi 6.2
ESSENTIAL MONTESSORI Hiawatha 4.5 mi
John F Kennedy High School Cedar Rapids 4.3 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52405 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,352

Median Home Value

$173,600

Median Rent

$1,043/mo

Population

25,889

College Educated

24.6%

Homeownership

73.6%

Avg Commute

18.5 min

Poverty Rate

12.9%

Median Age

40.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bondurant - Farrar Intermediate School Bondurant, IA 6.8
North Central Junior High School North Liberty, IA 6.8
South Tama County Middle School Toledo, IA 6.8
Woodside Middle School Des Moines, IA 6.8
Lincoln Intermediate Mason City, IA 6.6
Mid-Prairie Middle School Kalona, IA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Taft Middle School

What grades does Taft Middle School serve?

Taft Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Taft Middle School?

Taft Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 596 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Taft Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Taft 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 Taft Middle School rank in IA?

Taft Middle School ranks #581 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Taft Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Taft Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Taft Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Taft Middle School has 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Taft Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Taft Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

40.1% of students at Taft 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
15 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
19 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
596
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Linn County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.2%

District

Cedar Rapids Comm School District
District Enrollment
15,589
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,623
District Rank
#2 of 31

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