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Average

#610 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 48% in state

Tri-center Middle School

Middle School · Tri-Center Comm School District

33980 310th St, Neola, IA 51559

Enrollment

140

Student-Teacher

23.3:1

Score

6.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Neola

#2 of 3

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#132 of 248

In district

#2 of 3

Tri-Center Comm School District

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Tri-center Middle School

Tri-Center Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Neola, Iowa, nestled in the rural setting of Pottawattamie County. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 140 students with six full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 23.3:1. Tri-Center Middle School's academic performance reflects its commitment to educating its rural community.

With MySchoolScout ranking the school at 5.8 out of 10 and placing it at #562 among 1288 schools in Iowa (56th percentile), there is room for improvement but also a solid foundation on which to build. Students perform particularly well in science, with 78% meeting proficiency standards or above, while reading and math scores stand at 72% proficient or above. Though the school's neighborhood data isn't available, Tri-Center Middle School stands as an integral part of its rural community, fostering a supportive learning environment for students to grow academically and socially.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 140 students, Tri-center 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 Tri-center Middle School is 23.3:1, 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, Tri-center 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 Progress9.4Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.44 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.5Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg-0.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.7 pts
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)74%
vs. Expected-2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
Resources & Environment1.7Significantly Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,402

Tri-center Middle School — Students at Tri-center Middle School score 72% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 72.3%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 71.7%
School
State
76.8%

Based on 13 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
57%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
77.6%
ELA
73%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How Tri-center Middle School Compares

See how Tri-center Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
52th percentile in IA
Academic
6.5/10
6.5/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
1.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

33980 310th St, Neola, IA 51559

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tri-center Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Missouri Valley Middle School (rated 6.8/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Missouri Valley), with a very similar rating. Another option is AHSTW Intermediate School (rated 6.6/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Avoca), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Underwood Middle School (rated 6.5/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Underwood), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Neola, see our Neola schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Tri-Center Elementary School Neola 0.0 mi 7.9
Tri-Center High School Neola 0.0 mi 5.6
Underwood High School Underwood 9.3 mi 5.8
Underwood Elementary School Underwood 9.4 mi 6.0
Underwood Middle School Underwood 9.4 mi 6.5
Logan-Magnolia Elementary School Logan 14.5 mi 6.2
Logan-Magnolia Jr-Sr High School Logan 14.5 mi 5.0
AHSTW Primary School Avoca 13.3 mi 6.7
AHSTW High School Avoca 13.3 mi 6.9
AHSTW Intermediate School Avoca 13.3 mi 6.6
Woodbine Elementary School Woodbine 17.1 mi 8.6
Woodbine High School Woodbine 17.1 mi 3.6
Treynor High School Treynor 18.9 mi 8.0
Treynor Middle School Treynor 18.9 mi 5.6
Treynor Elementary School Treynor 18.9 mi 7.1
Oakland Elementary Oakland 17.5 mi 7.2
Missouri Valley High School Missouri Valley 15.3 mi 7.2
Missouri Valley Middle School Missouri Valley 15.3 mi 6.8
Riverside Middle/Senior High School Oakland 18.1 mi 6.3
Missouri Valley Elementary Missouri Valley 15.4 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51559 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,116

Median Home Value

$190,700

Median Rent

$980/mo

Population

1,896

College Educated

22.2%

Homeownership

73.5%

Avg Commute

23.7 min

Poverty Rate

5.9%

Median Age

36

Community Profile

The community surrounding Tri-center Middle School has a median household income of $74,116. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $190,700, with a median rent of $980/month. The local poverty rate of 5.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Starmont Middle School Arlington, IA 6.5
Woodbury Central Middle School Moville, IA 6.5
Alburnett Middle School Alburnett, IA 6.4
Maquoketa Valley Middle School Delhi, IA 6.4
West Lyon Junior High School Inwood, IA 6.6
AGWSR Middle School Wellsburg, IA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tri-center Middle School

What grades does Tri-center Middle School serve?

Tri-center Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Tri-center Middle School?

Tri-center Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 140 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Tri-center Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Tri-center Middle School is 23.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Tri-center Middle School rank in IA?

Tri-center Middle School is ranked #610 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Tri-center Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Tri-center Middle School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Tri-center Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tri-center Middle School has 72.3% math proficiency and 71.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Tri-center Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Tri-center Middle School a Title I school?

No, Tri-center Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tri-center Middle School?

30.0% of students at Tri-center 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 (180/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
140
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Pottawattamie County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Tri-Center Comm School District
District Enrollment
720
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,880
District Rank
#2 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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