Wilson Middle School

Summary:

Wilson Middle School is a public middle school located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 395 students. The school is part of the Cedar Rapids Community School District, which is ranked 276 out of 309 districts in Iowa and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Wilson Middle School consistently underperforms the Cedar Rapids Community School District and the state of Iowa in standardized test scores across all grade levels and subjects. For example, in 2023-2024, the school's proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Mathematics were significantly lower than the district and state averages. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom 10-15% of Iowa middle schools, with a 0 or 1-star rating from SchoolDigger over the past several years, placing it among the lowest-performing middle schools in the state. Additionally, Wilson Middle School has a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 72.15% to 79.35% over the past three years, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population.

The nearby middle schools, such as Harding Middle School and Taft Middle School, generally perform better academically and have higher school rankings than Wilson Middle School. This highlights the relative underperformance of Wilson Middle School within the Cedar Rapids Community School District. The school's persistent academic struggles and low rankings suggest that targeted interventions and support may be necessary to improve educational outcomes for its students.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 2301 J St SW
       Cedar Rapids, IA  52404


(319) 558-3387

District: Cedar Rapids Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
326th of 337 Iowa Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $17,810 Help


Students who attend Wilson Middle School usually attend:

High:    Thomas Jefferson High School

Feeder schools for Wilson Middle School:

Elementary:    Cedar River Academy at Taylor
    Grant Elementary School
    Van Buren Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.4 Help
Number of students:  395

Racial breakdown:

White:
45.1%
African American:
27.1%
Hispanic:
13.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  72.2% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Wilson Middle School ranks worse than 96.7% of middle schools in Iowa. It also ranks last among 6 ranked middle schools in the Cedar Rapids Community School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 3.2. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Wilson Middle School has the largest middle school student body size in the Cedar Rapids Community School District.  (See more...)
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Wilson Middle School is $17,810, which is the highest among 6 middle schools in the Cedar Rapids Community School District!
Schooldigger Rankings:

Wilson Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Wilson Middle School 326th of 337 Iowa public middle schools. (See Wilson Middle School in the ranking list.)

Cedar Rapids Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Cedar Rapids Community School District 276th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Wilson Middle School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 38.03 261st 349 25.2%
2013 15.89 329th 350 6.0%
2014 3.47 329th 337 2.4%
2015 4.68 336th 349 3.7%
2016 5.67 331st 343 3.5%
2017 4.37 320th 327 2.1%
2018 10.87 299th 318 6.0%
2019 15.47 307th 342 10.2%
2021 7.40 305th 324 5.9%
2022 15.80 303rd 337 10.1%
2023 15.13 300th 334 10.2%
2024 3.20 326th 337 3.3%
See the entire list of Iowa Middle School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Iowa Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Wilson Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

Reviews:
Facebook Profile Picture by a parent on FaceBook
Monday, January 12, 2015

Open Quote We have lived all over the US and have raised 7 kids. This is absolutely one of the worst schools we have ever came across!! Our last child went here the first year of middle school..... then we moved him to another city and school. The theft rate for anything (not talking just electronics... talking shoes, jackets etc) is very high. There is heavy swearing amongst students and some staff. Violence at this school is some of the highest we have seen. We felt that this principle was not very qualified or didn't have the proper tools to run this middle school..... he refers to any and all problems "Its' because this is a highly diversified school." Before he became the principle of this school in the year 2012/2013 he was a liaison at Jefferson High School. One of the reasons it has one of the smallest student bodies of the Cedar Rapids School District is because it was just changed over to a middle school in 2012/2013. Before that it was an elementary/middle school for grades 2 through 8th. On another more positive note the band teacher is totally awesome and the majority of the 6th grade teachers are compassionate and caring!! Close Quote



Enrollment information for Wilson Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 339 18 2 4 4 n/a n/a 0 367
1989 345 17 6 5 3 n/a n/a 0 376
1990 349 10 5 4 3 n/a n/a 0 371
1991 329 17 5 3 2 n/a n/a 0 356
1992 342 17 3 1 2 n/a n/a 0 365
1993 362 7 4 2 2 n/a n/a 0 377
1994 624 25 7 9 10 n/a n/a 0 675
1995 534 23 8 8 9 n/a n/a 0 582
1996 534 23 8 8 9 n/a n/a 0 582
1997 522 29 12 4 5 n/a n/a 0 572
1998 532 35 14 5 4 n/a n/a 0 590
1999 490 52 13 13 2 n/a n/a 0 570
2000 517 73 16 14 2 n/a n/a -25 597
2001 512 71 18 17 2 n/a n/a 0 620
2002 525 58 14 14 3 n/a n/a 0 614
2003 525 58 14 14 3 n/a n/a 0 614
2004 481 78 14 14 3 n/a n/a 0 590
2005 430 73 14 15 4 n/a n/a 0 536
2006 431 65 7 20 4 n/a n/a 0 527
2007 249 38 5 9 0 n/a n/a 0 301
2008 218 46 4 8 0 n/a n/a 0 276
2009 190 45 2 8 0 n/a n/a 0 245
2010 192 48 3 7 1 0 0 0 251
2011 203 48 3 8 3 0 1 0 266
2012 201 47 3 15 2 0 15 0 283
2013 267 58 4 28 4 0 18 0 379
2014 269 64 4 24 1 0 18 0 380
2015 255 63 2 26 2 1 19 0 368
2016 265 55 2 21 0 1 24 0 368
2017 246 68 4 27 1 1 31 0 378
2018 242 78 0 24 0 2 31 0 377
2019 215 61 0 26 2 1 29 0 334
2020 230 96 3 36 2 2 29 0 398
2021 192 86 3 43 0 1 32 0 357
2022 196 112 4 56 0 1 33 0 402
2023 178 107 7 54 1 6 42 0 395

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Wilson Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 367 28.3 12.9 50.4
1989 376 2.8 134.2 21.3
1990 371 27.5 13.4 47.4
1991 356 27.4 12.9 56.5
1992 365 26.0 14.0 56.2
1993 377 23.8 15.8 48
1994 675 38.0 17.8 29
1995 582 36.0 16.2 31.1
1996 582 36.0 16.2 31.1
1997 572 35.4 16.2 33
1998 590 37.6 15.7 35.3
1999 570 38.5 14.8 46
2000 597 38.4 15.5 40.7
2001 620 41.6 14.9 41.6
2002 614 33.2 18.5 46.6
2003 614 33.2 18.5 46.6
2004 590 39.4 15.0 51
2005 536 36.2 14.8 52.1
2006 527 37.2 14.2 54.8
2007 301 21.8 13.8 53.8
2008 276 21.2 13.0 54
2009 245 17.2 14.2 61.6
2010 251 18.7 13.4 62.9
2011 266 19.5 13.6 63.2
2012 283 21.7 13.0 67.8
2013 379 39.5 9.5 71.8
2014 380 39.7 9.5 72.1
2015 368 33.0 11.1 73.6
2016 368 33.0 11.1 71.2
2017 378 35.0 10.7 73
2018 377 35.3 10.6 77.7
2019 334 35.3 9.4 78.4
2020 398 38.2 10.4 73.4
2021 357 34.7 10.2 76.2
2022 402 30.4 13.2 79.4
2023 395 27.2 14.4 72.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Wilson Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 367 28.3 12.9 50.4
1989 376 2.8 134.2 21.3
1990 371 27.5 13.4 47.4
1991 356 27.4 12.9 56.5
1992 365 26.0 14.0 56.2
1993 377 23.8 15.8 48
1994 675 38.0 17.8 29
1995 582 36.0 16.2 31.1
1996 582 36.0 16.2 31.1
1997 572 35.4 16.2 33
1998 590 37.6 15.7 35.3
1999 570 38.5 14.8 46
2000 597 38.4 15.5 40.7
2001 620 41.6 14.9 41.6
2002 614 33.2 18.5 46.6
2003 614 33.2 18.5 46.6
2004 590 39.4 15.0 51
2005 536 36.2 14.8 52.1
2006 527 37.2 14.2 54.8
2007 301 21.8 13.8 53.8
2008 276 21.2 13.0 54
2009 245 17.2 14.2 61.6
2010 251 18.7 13.4 62.9
2011 266 19.5 13.6 63.2
2012 283 21.7 13.0 67.8
2013 379 39.5 9.5 71.8
2014 380 39.7 9.5 72.1
2015 368 33.0 11.1 73.6
2016 368 33.0 11.1 71.2
2017 378 35.0 10.7 73
2018 377 35.3 10.6 77.7
2019 334 35.3 9.4 78.4
2020 398 38.2 10.4 73.4
2021 357 34.7 10.2 76.2
2022 402 30.4 13.2 79.4
2023 395 27.2 14.4 72.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Wilson Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $271 (1.5%) $17,539 (98.5%) $17,810

Data source: Iowa Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Wilson Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 307th of 342 Middle schoolsRanks 300th of 334 Middle schools
 0.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Wilson Middle School)61.548.3
 13.2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Cedar Rapids Community School District)63.363.9
 0.6%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.572.7
 5.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Wilson Middle School)46.745.7
 1%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Cedar Rapids Community School District)59.457.4
 2%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.469.9
 0.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Wilson Middle School)56.960
 3.1%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Cedar Rapids Community School District)67.468
 0.6%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.974.2
 4.3%
7th Grade Mathematics (Wilson Middle School)42.750
 7.3%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Cedar Rapids Community School District)58.559
 0.5%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)70.168.9
 1.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Wilson Middle School)64.468.2
 3.8%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Cedar Rapids Community School District)71.569.5
 2%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.576
 6.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Wilson Middle School)48.967.3
 18.4%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Cedar Rapids Community School District)63.766.4
 2.7%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)71.872
 0.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students334395
 18.3%
African American61107
 75.4%
American Indian21
 50%
Asian07
Hispanic2654
 107.7%
Pacific Islander16
 500%
White215178
 17.2%
Two or More Races2942
 44.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients78.4%72.2%
 6.3%


Schools Near Wilson Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about Wilson Middle School

Students who attend Wilson Middle School usually go on to attend Thomas Jefferson High School

Students at Wilson Middle School are 45% White, 27% African American, 14% Hispanic, 11% Two or more races, 2% Asian, 2% Pacific Islander.

Wilson Middle School ranks in the bottom 3.3% of Iowa middle schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 395 students attended Wilson Middle School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Iowa Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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