The top reported proficiency rate is 53% in Social studies. The lowest is 28% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Central Middle School
Central Middle School serves sixth through eighth grade in Kokomo, Indiana, as part of the Kokomo School Corporation. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet school. The enrollment is moderate for a middle school in this region, drawing from a district that covers a mid-sized industrial city that serves as the county seat of Howard County. Kokomo’s economy, historically tied to automotive manufacturing, is anchored by employers like Stellantis, along with healthcare and retail sectors. The city’s residential areas are a mix of working-class and middle-class households. A substantial share of students at the school qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, placing it within the broader economic context of the community.
The student body is diverse in its composition. Slightly more than half of the students are white, with Black students making up a meaningful share and students identifying as two or more races comprising another significant portion. Hispanic students and Asian students are also represented, while the American Indian and Alaska Native population is very small. This mix gives the school a distinctly multiracial peer environment that reflects Kokomo’s demographic makeup.
On state assessments, the school’s results are below the midpoint among districts in Howard County. In math, a minority of students reached the proficient or above level on the ILEARN assessment. In English language arts, the proficiency rate was higher than in math but still meant that a majority of students did not meet the state’s proficiency bar. Science results were similar. The social studies data comes from an older test administration under a different assessment name, so it does not offer a current comparison alongside the other subjects. Parents may want to discuss with the school how it supports students who are below grade-level benchmarks and what academic interventions are in place. The participation rate on the assessments was very high, meaning the results represent nearly the entire student body.
No graduation rate applies here because the school serves only grades six through eight. Data on chronic absenteeism, on special education and English learner populations, and on discipline were not available in the provided records. A parent seeking information on these topics would need to contact the school directly or consult the district office for a fuller picture of the learning environment.
Housing in the area around the school is relatively affordable by national and state standards. Home values are well below the Indiana benchmark and the national median value, and rents are modest relative to income. A typical household could expect to spend a manageable share of income on rent. The housing stock has seen some appreciation over the past year, but the market remains accessible compared to many places.
No recent district-level changes such as referendums, bond issues, boundary adjustments, or curriculum shifts were found in the search for parent-relevant developments. That means a parent moving into the area likely would not be stepping into a period of major transition at the district level, but it also means there is no newly announced initiative to review. The school itself does not appear to have a published program list in the data, so families should ask the school about course offerings, electives, and any specialized academic or enrichment programs available to middle school students.
Kokomo is the kind of place where a family can find a solid, modestly priced home and a middle school that serves a diverse cross-section of the community. The academic picture on state tests suggests there is room for growth, particularly in math and science, and parents should expect to engage with the school on their child’s progress. The lack of certain data points means some important dimensions of school life are not visible from these records alone, and that is a reason to visit, ask questions, and talk to current families.
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