Below Average
#1630 of 1,823 schools in IN
Dekalb Middle School
Middle School · DeKalb Co Ctl United Sch Dist
3338 CR 427, Waterloo, IN 46793
Enrollment
774
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
4.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
774
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
4.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waterloo
#3 of 3
public schools
Indiana middle schools
#305 of 330
In district
#5 of 6
DeKalb Co Ctl United Sch Dist
About Dekalb Middle School
DeKalb Middle School serves grades 6–8 in Waterloo, Indiana, with an enrollment of 774 students. Located in a rural setting near town at 3338 CR 427, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1 with 50 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, the school is working through significant challenges.
With a MySchoolScout rating of 3.9/10, DeKalb ranks 1,668th out of 1,831 Indiana schools. In English language arts and reading, 39% of students are meeting proficiency standards, while mathematics proficiency stands at 30%. Science proficiency data shows room for considerable improvement.
For families considering this school, it's important to understand that DeKalb is currently focused on building foundational skills and student development. Parents might want to explore what academic support and intervention programs the school offers, as well as how the school is working to strengthen instruction in core subject areas. The rural location near Waterloo provides a smaller-town community setting for middle grades students in DeKalb County.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Dekalb 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Dekalb Middle School — Students at Dekalb Middle School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 15 test records from IN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 2.7/10.
How Dekalb Middle School Compares
See how Dekalb Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 32.08% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 42.08% (2025).
Location
3338 CR 427, Waterloo, IN 46793
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dekalb Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Leo Elementary School (rated 5.0/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Leo), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Garrett Middle School (rated 4.1/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Garrett), with a comparable rating. Additionally, CAMPBELL ROAD SCHOOL (rated 3.8/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Spencerville), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Waterloo, see our Waterloo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| DeKalb High School Waterloo | 0.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Waterloo Elementary School Waterloo | 1.8 mi | 5.5 |
| James R Watson Elementary School Auburn | 2.6 mi | 5.3 |
| McKenney-Harrison Elementary Sch Auburn | 3.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Country Meadow Elementary School Ashley | 5.9 mi | 4.2 |
| J E Ober Elementary School Garrett | 6.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Garrett Middle School Garrett | 6.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Garrett High School Garrett | 6.3 mi | 6.2 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Garrett | 6.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Hamilton Community Elementary Sch Hamilton | 9.9 mi | 9.1 |
| Hamilton Community High School Hamilton | 9.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Riverdale Elementary School Saint Joe | 9.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Pleasant Lake Elementary School Pleasant Lake | 11.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Butler Elementary School Butler | 8.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Eastside Junior-Senior High School Butler | 9.2 mi | 6.9 |
| OAK FARM SCHOOL Avilla | 9.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Leo Elementary School Leo | 13.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Leo Junior/Senior High School Leo | 13.1 mi | 4.8 |
| GATEWAY WOODS SCHOOL Leo | 13.3 mi | — |
| CAMPBELL ROAD SCHOOL Spencerville | 12.5 mi | 3.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46793 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,412
Median Home Value
$177,500
Median Rent
$840/mo
Population
4,122
College Educated
16.5%
Homeownership
84.5%
Avg Commute
24.9 min
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Median Age
38.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dekalb Middle School has a median household income of $74,412. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $177,500, with a median rent of $840/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Greenfield Central Junior High Sch Greenfield, IN | 4.4 |
| Concord Junior High School Elkhart, IN | 4.5 |
| Henry W Eggers Middle School Hammond, IN | 4.5 |
| Jefferson Traditional School South Bend, IN | 4.5 |
| Lebanon Middle School Lebanon, IN | 4.5 |
| Franklin Community Middle School Franklin, IN | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dekalb Middle School
What grades does Dekalb Middle School serve?
Dekalb Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Dekalb Middle School?
Dekalb Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 774 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dekalb Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Dekalb Middle School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dekalb Middle School rank in IN?
Dekalb Middle School is ranked #1630 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Dekalb Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dekalb Middle School has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Dekalb Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dekalb Middle School has 35.3% math proficiency and 47.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dekalb Middle School a charter school?
No, Dekalb Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dekalb Middle School a Title I school?
No, Dekalb Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dekalb Middle School?
44.1% of students at Dekalb 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (149/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 774
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 50
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- DeKalb County
- Phone
- (260) 920-1013
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DeKalb Co Ctl United Sch Dist- District Enrollment
- 3,578
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,445
- District Rank
- #5 of 6
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 methodologyRelated reading
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