Best Schools in West Branch, Iowa
4 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in West Branch?
Use this page to compare every school in West Branch by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Scattergood Friends School
High. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
West Branch Middle School
Middle · West Branch Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
West Branch High School
High · West Branch Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in West Branch for 2026 are Scattergood Friends School (7.9/10), West Branch Middle School (7.2/10), and West Branch High School (5.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$235,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$235,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in West Branch
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scattergood Friends School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 2 | West Branch Middle School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 3 | West Branch High School | 5.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Hoover Elementary School | 4.3 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.2/10
- Median household income
- $81,250
- Median home value
- $235,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 31%
- Avg commute
- 24 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 83%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How West Branch compares
Iowa rank
#108 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.1
below Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$81k
107% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in West Branch, Iowa
West Branch, Iowa is home to 4 schools, including 3 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.2 out of 10, schools in West Branch show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in West Branch is Scattergood Friends School with a composite score of 7.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
West Branch is served by 1 school district: West Branch Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 864 students.
West Branch's community shows 31% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $81,250. The poverty rate in the area is 7.9%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 378 students · Pre-K–4th | 4.3 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 229 students · 5th–8th | 7.2 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 257 students · 9th–12th | 5.4 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Scattergood Friends School
Private
45 students · 6th–12th | 7.9 | ||
Schools in West Branch
West Branch, Iowa · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$81,250
Median Home Value
$235,900
Median Rent
$1,010/mo
Population
3,752
College Educated
31%
Homeownership
83%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
7.9%
Community Profile
West Branch has a median household income of $81,250. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $235,900, with a median rent of $1,010/month. The local poverty rate of 7.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Iowa
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in West Branch, Iowa
How many schools are in West Branch, Iowa?
West Branch has 4 schools, including 3 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in West Branch, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in West Branch is 6.2 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in West Branch, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in West Branch on MySchoolScout is Scattergood Friends School with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in West Branch, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in West Branch on MySchoolScout is Hoover Elementary School with a composite score of 4.3/10.
What is the best middle school in West Branch, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in West Branch on MySchoolScout is West Branch Middle School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best high school in West Branch, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in West Branch on MySchoolScout is Scattergood Friends School with a composite score of 7.9/10.
How many school districts serve West Branch, Iowa?
West Branch is served by 1 school district: West Branch Comm School District.
What is the education level in West Branch, Iowa?
According to Census data, 31% of adults in West Branch have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in West Branch, Iowa?
The median household income in West Branch is approximately $81,250 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in West Branch, Iowa?
Yes, West Branch has 1 private school alongside 3 public schools. The top-rated private school is Scattergood Friends School with a score of 7.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in West Branch, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in West Branch is 11.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in West Branch, Iowa?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Iowa Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.