- Enrollment
- 1,696
- Students per teacher
- 17.7:1
- Resource Index
- 34/100
Middle school (grades 6-8) · Waterloo, IA
Central Middle School
Federal NCES profile for Central Middle School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 42/100.
2024-25 NCES dataMiddle school (grades 6-8)NCES 193048002024
👥 S:T ratio 46
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 53
📋 Attendance 0
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Central Middle School earns 42/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Iowa median. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Iowa schools.
- #3 of 3
- middle schools in Waterloo · Resource Index
- 42
- Resource Index · Typical
- 13.4:1
- students per teacher
- 76.6%
- free-lunch eligible
Central Middle School has class sizes near the Iowa median. Computed live against every Iowa school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Central Middle School ranks #3 of 3 middle schools in Waterloo, IA.
School address
District: Waterloo Comm School District · Iowa
NCES ID 193048002024 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-5 students YoY
Central Middle School held near 466 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-5 headcount).
Teacher FTE lost 35.1 → 33.8 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
-5 students YoY 193048002024 · Waterloo, IA Middle · SMALL · TRAD
469 enr · 13.4:1 · 76.6% lunch · RII 42
Nearest enrollment peer: West High School (1,696 students)
Central Middle School held near 466 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-5 headcount). Teacher FTE lost 35.1 → 33.8 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Iowa schools → · Find another →
Central Middle School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- West High Scho
West High School
1,696 students
- East High Scho
East High School
1,016 students
- Hoover Middle
Hoover Middle School
848 students
- Kittrell Eleme 576
Kittrell Elementary School
576 students
- Expo Alternati 561
Expo Alternative Learning Center
561 students
- This school 469
Central Middle School
469 students
What this shows Central Middle School reports 469 students on the CCD universe file.
How Central Middle School compares
Central Middle School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Iowa and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Iowa | Iowa avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 13.4:1 | ▼ 9% | 14.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 76.6% | ▲ 110% | 36.4% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 469 | top 22% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
13.4:1
Leaner classes than 63% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
469
Bigger than 58% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
76.6%
free-lunch eligible
- 110% above the Iowa average of 36.4%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
13.4:1
students per teacher
- 9% below state mean
Top 42% in Iowa - lower ratio than 58% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
56.7%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$14,490
per pupil, district-wide
- above Iowa avg of $13,441
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors2.0 FTE
Per 235 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
164
in-school suspensions + 270 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 35.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 92.5 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
African American 34.1%
White 26.0%
Hispanic or Latino 14.9%
Two or More 12.4%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 8.3%
Asian 3.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.4%
Largest group: African American at 34.1% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 77.0/100
Simpson diversity index - at 77.0, Central Middle School is more mixed than the Iowa school average of 33.8.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Waterloo Comm School District reports $14,490 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Central Middle School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| West High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| East High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Hoover Middle School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Kittrell Elementary School | Similar size | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Expo Alternative Learning Center | Similar size | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Central Middle School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,016
- Students per teacher
- 17.2:1
- Resource Index
- 38/100
- Enrollment
- 848
- Students per teacher
- 15.1:1
- Resource Index
- 48/100
- Enrollment
- 576
- Students per teacher
- 12.3:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
- Enrollment
- 561
- Students per teacher
- 17:1
- Resource Index
- 55/100
Similar middle schools in Waterloo
2 comparable middle schools (grades 6-8) serving the same city.
Nationwide middle schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~469 students)
Frequently asked questions about Central Middle School
How many students attend Central Middle School?
Central Middle School has 469 students enrolled. It is a middle school in Waterloo, IA. CCD year-over-year: 471 (2022-23) → 466 (2023-24), nearly flat (-5).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Middle School is 13.4:1, which is 9% lower than the Iowa average of 14.8:1 and 15% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Central Middle School?
76.6% of students at Central Middle School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Iowa average of 36.4%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Central Middle School?
The largest demographic group at Central Middle School is African American at 34.1% of enrollment, in Waterloo, IA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 77.0/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Central Middle School?
Central Middle School has a Resource Investment Index of 42/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Central Middle School rank among middle schools in Waterloo?
By Resource Investment Index, Central Middle School ranks #3 of 3 middle schools in Waterloo, IA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all middle schools in Waterloo on the city page.
What other schools are in Waterloo Comm School District?
Besides Central Middle School, Waterloo Comm School District also operates West High School (1,696 students), East High School (1,016 students), and Hoover Middle School (848 students). See the Waterloo Comm School District district page for the complete list.