Summary:
ZIP code 55368 has one public middle school, Central Middle in Norwood Young America, serving grades 6–8 as part of Central Public School District. It enrolls 216 students, has a 15.9 student-teacher ratio, and a 27.31% free/reduced-lunch rate. Because it is the only middle school in the ZIP code, the most useful comparisons are to the district, to Minnesota, and to its own prior-year results.
Reading is Central Middle’s standout subject. In 2025–2026, all-grade reading proficiency was 55.3%, essentially matching the district’s 55.4% and exceeding the state’s 48.6% by 6.7 percentage points. Sixth-grade reading was 61.4% and eighth-grade reading was 59.5%, both above state benchmarks. Math is a relative weakness: all-grade math was 35.0%, below the district’s 47.6% and the state’s 44.9%. Seventh-grade math was 28.8% versus 40.3% statewide, an 11.5-point gap, while eighth-grade math was 40.5%, only 1.8 points below the state. Science is the lowest area: all-grade science was 12.2%, compared with 22.9% in the district and 25.5% statewide; eighth-grade science was 12.2%, equal to the district’s eighth-grade figure but below the state’s 16.7%.
Over the last three reported years, Central Middle has been a 3-star school with percentile ranks between 64 and 68. In 2025–2026 it ranked 194 of 546, in 2024–2025 it ranked 164 of 519, and in 2023–2024 it ranked 193 of 545, making 2024–2025 its strongest recent year. The district overall is rated higher at 4 stars and the 73rd percentile. Reading improved from 50.0% to 55.3% while district and state reading slipped. Math fell from 43.0% to 35.0%, and science dropped from 23.53% to 12.2%. For grades 6–8, district figures match the school’s figures, suggesting Central Middle is the only school providing those grades in the district for these comparisons.
Thank you for your feedback!