Hamilton Plan in Forevergreen Heights by D.R. Horton
Coralville, IA 52241

We LOVE this school. Excellent principal and experienced, enthusiastic, and committed teachers. We have an outstanding Family Resource worker and an exceptional counselor. Even our office and support staff are wonderful. We are so glad that this is our neighborhood school.

North Central Junior High has undergone one of the steepest academic declines in Iowa under Principal Colby Miller’s nine-year tenure. Once ranked among the top 30 middle schools in the state—outperforming 91.3% of Iowa students—North Central now ranks 167th, a drop of 137 places. Average proficiency scores have fallen from 82.66% to 52.67%, a 26-point decline.These results reflect serious failures in leadership.Key Concerns   •   Lack of instructional leadership: Minimal classroom presence, no clear academic plan, and no meaningful professional development for teachers.   •   Problematic hiring practices: Staff are reportedly selected for loyalty rather than teaching skill or content knowledge.   •   Hostile or inconsistent management: Teachers report retaliatory treatment, out-of-field assignments, and a culture of workplace mobbing and fear.   •   Declining academic standards: A grading system now places 85% of students on the honor roll despite measurable lack of growth.   •   Departure from district values: Weak support for students with disabilities and disregard for district philosophies, codes of ethics, and best practices.   •   Lack of visibility and engagement: The principal is frequently absent from classrooms and rarely interacts with staff beyond minimal requirements.Bottom LineNorth Central was once a top-performing school. Under current administration, it has experienced a severe academic and cultural decline with no visible plan for improvement. Students, teachers, and families deserve leadership that restores high expectations, supports educators, and puts learning—not personal loyalty—at the center of the school.