Below Average
#1133 of 1,280 schools in IA
West Academy Alternative School
High School · Newton Comm School District
1302 1st Avenue West, Newton, IA 50208
Enrollment
65
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
4.0
Grades
10th – 12th
Enrollment
65
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
4.0
Grades
10th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,133 of 1,280
In Newton
#6 of 7
public schools
In district
#6 of 7
Newton Comm School District
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West Academy Alternative School
High School in Newton · grades 10th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Woodrow Wilson Elementary School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About West Academy Alternative School
West Academy Alternative School is a public high school in Newton, IA, part of Newton Comm School District. West Academy Alternative School serves approximately 65 students, and covers grades 10th-12th, and has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. West Academy Alternative School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,133 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for West Academy Alternative School show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.0 · Below Average
- District avg 4.4
- IA avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
At 65 students, West Academy Alternative School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
85% of students at West Academy Alternative School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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West Academy Alternative School — Students at West Academy Alternative School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 30 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.9/10.
How West Academy Alternative School Compares
See how West Academy Alternative School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1302 1st Avenue West, Newton, IA 50208
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Academy Alternative School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lynnville-Sully High School (rated 7.5/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Sully), which scores notably higher. Another option is Colfax-Mingo Jr/Sr High School (rated 6.5/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Colfax), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PCM High School (rated 5.8/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Monroe), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newton, see our Newton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Jefferson Elementary School Newton | 0.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Woodrow Wilson Elementary School Newton | 0.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Newton Senior High School Newton | 1.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Emerson Hough Elementary School Newton | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| NEWTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newton | 2.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Berg Middle School Newton | 2.3 mi | 3.3 |
| Aurora Heights Elementary School Newton | 2.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Baxter Elementary School Baxter | 9.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Baxter High School Baxter | 9.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Colfax-Mingo Jr/Sr High School Colfax | 8.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Colfax-Mingo Elementary School Colfax | 9.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Monroe Elementary School Monroe | 12.3 mi | 4.0 |
| PCM High School Monroe | 12.9 mi | 5.8 |
| PCM Middle School Prairie City | 11.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Prairie City Elementary School Prairie City | 11.1 mi | 5.9 |
| East Marshall Elementary School Laurel | 14.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Lynnville-Sully High School Sully | 14.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Lynnville-Sully Elementary School Sully | 14.3 mi | 8.6 |
| Lynnville-Sully Middle School Sully | 14.3 mi | 7.4 |
| SULLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sully | 14.8 mi | 4.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50208 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,064
Median Home Value
$161,900
Median Rent
$830/mo
Population
20,270
College Educated
17.3%
Homeownership
69.3%
Avg Commute
21.7 min
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Median Age
43.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lamoni High School Lamoni, IA | 3.9 |
| St Lake/IA Cntrl/Buena Vista Early College HS Storm Lake, IA | 3.1 |
| Individualized Learning Center Le Mars, IA | 3.0 |
| Moulton-Udell High School Moulton, IA | 5.3 |
| Ruthven-Ayrshire High School Ruthven, IA | 5.3 |
| TRINITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Hull, IA | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Academy Alternative School
What grades does West Academy Alternative School serve?
West Academy Alternative School serves students in grades 10th through 12th.
How many students attend West Academy Alternative School?
West Academy Alternative School has an enrollment of approximately 65 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Academy Alternative School?
The student-teacher ratio at West Academy Alternative School is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Academy Alternative School rank in IA?
West Academy Alternative School ranks #1,133 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is West Academy Alternative School's MySchoolScout rating?
West Academy Alternative School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at West Academy Alternative School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, West Academy Alternative School has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is West Academy Alternative School a charter school?
No, West Academy Alternative School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Academy Alternative School a Title I school?
No, West Academy Alternative School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Academy Alternative School?
76.9% of students at West Academy Alternative School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 10th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 65
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 76.9%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Jasper County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 84.6%
- Phone
- (641) 792-0335
- 4-Year Graduation
- 64.5%
Resources & Links
District
Newton Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 2,770
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,371
- District Rank
- #6 of 7
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