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Below Average

#1811 of 1,986 schools in MN

Central Middle

Middle School · CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOX 247 531 MORSE ST, Norwood Young America, MN 55368

Enrollment

209

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

4.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Norwood Young America

#3 of 3

public schools

Minnesota middle schools

#222 of 280

In district

#3 of 3

CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

About Central Middle

Central Middle is a regular public school located in the rural setting of Norwood Young America, Minnesota. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, Central Middle has an enrollment of 209 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1 with 14 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The academic performance at Central Middle places it in the 23rd percentile among Minnesota schools, ranking #1563 out of 2027 schools statewide.

In ELA/Reading, 57% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 42% achieve proficiency. The school’s MySchoolScout Rating is 4.3 out of 10 and its Academic Score is 5.5 out of 10. While Central Middle has room for academic growth, it provides a supportive learning environment with dedicated teachers in a close-knit community setting.

Located in the heart of rural Minnesota, students at Central Middle benefit from a tight-knit school culture where every student's success is important to both staff and families.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Central Middle 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 Progress2.9Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.02 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)57%
vs. Expected-12.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
Resources & Environment5.6Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,914

Central Middle — Students at Central Middle score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

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 MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 42.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 56.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
66%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
52%

* 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: 2.9/10.

How Central Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
4.4/10
9th percentile in MN
Academic
5.3/10
5.3/10
Growth
2.9/10
Below average
Environment
5.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

BOX 247 531 MORSE ST, Norwood Young America, MN 55368

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. COLOGNE ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Cologne), which scores notably higher. Another option is GREEN ISLE COMMUNITY SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Green Isle), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CENTRAL SENIOR HIGH (rated 7.3/10), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Norwood Young America, see our Norwood Young America schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.7 mi
School Distance Rating
CENTRAL SENIOR HIGH Norwood Young America 0.0 mi 7.3
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Norwood Young America 0.3 mi 7.3
ST JOHN S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Young America 0.6 mi 5.9
EMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hamburg 4.2 mi 7.1
SUNSHINE HOUSE Hamburg 4.3 mi
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Cologne 5.3 mi 5.4
Waconia Learning Center Waconia 6.3 mi 6.8
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mayer 7.9 mi 4.2
Waconia High School Waconia 6.6 mi 6.9
MAYER LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Mayer 8.2 mi 6.4
Waconia Middle School Waconia 6.9 mi 5.9
GREEN ISLE COMMUNITY SCHOOL Green Isle 7.8 mi 8.0
COLOGNE ACADEMY Cologne 6.8 mi 8.2
Cologne Academy Online Cologne 6.8 mi
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION Waconia 7.6 mi 6.0
TRANSITIONS 110 Waconia 7.6 mi
BAYVIEW ELEMENTARY Waconia 8.2 mi 6.3
SOUTHVIEW ELEMENTARY Waconia 8.1 mi 7.1
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Waconia 8.4 mi 7.0
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Waconia 8.7 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55368 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,719

Median Home Value

$289,400

Median Rent

$1,013/mo

Population

1,856

College Educated

22.7%

Homeownership

73.3%

Avg Commute

34.6 min

Poverty Rate

9.7%

Median Age

44.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central Middle has a median household income of $76,719. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $289,400, with a median rent of $1,013/month. The local poverty rate of 9.7% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ADRIAN MIDDLE Adrian, MN 4.5
BELLE PLAINE JUNIOR HIGH Belle Plaine, MN 4.3
Gentry Academy Middle Vadnais Heights, MN 4.1
ZUMBROTA-MAZEPPA MIDDLE SCHOOL Zumbrota, MN 4.8
Community of Peace Academy Middle Saint Paul, MN 4.0
SET Academy Middle Minneapolis, MN 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Middle

What grades does Central Middle serve?

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

How many students attend Central Middle?

Central Middle has an enrollment of approximately 209 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Middle 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 Central Middle rank in MN?

Central Middle is ranked #1811 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Central Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Middle 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 Central Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Middle has 42.0% math proficiency and 56.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Central Middle a charter school?

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

Is Central Middle a Title I school?

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

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

23.4% of students at Central Middle 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
Average (365/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
209
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
23.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Carver County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
943
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,571
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

Related reading

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