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Average

#930 of 1,280 schools in IA

West Bend-mallard Middle School

Middle School · West Bend-Mallard Comm School District

PO BOX 247 300 3rd Ave SW, West Bend, IA 50597

Enrollment

107

Student-Teacher

21.4:1

Score

5.6

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In West Bend

#2 of 3

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#194 of 248

In district

#2 of 3

West Bend-Mallard Comm School District

Equity

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About West Bend-mallard Middle School

West Bend-Mallard Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the remote rural setting of West Bend, Iowa. Serving students from fifth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 107 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.4:1 with five full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, the school ranks at #747 out of 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it around the 42nd percentile.

MySchoolScout gives West Bend-Mallard Middle School a rating of 5.1/10 and an academic score of 6.3/10, indicating areas for improvement but also highlighting strengths like its 78% proficiency rate in ELA/reading, 70% in math, and 77% in science. The school's location in a remote rural area offers students a close-knit community environment with opportunities to engage in local activities and projects. With room for academic growth, West Bend-Mallard Middle School is dedicated to fostering student development within its unique setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 107 students, West Bend-mallard Middle School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

The student-teacher ratio at West Bend-mallard Middle School is 21.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, West Bend-mallard Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.7Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.0Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82%
Math vs. State Avg-10 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.3 pts
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected+10.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
Resources & Environment2.0Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,249

West Bend-mallard Middle School — Students at West Bend-mallard Middle School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 70.3%
School
State
73.1%
ELA Proficiency 77.6%
School
State
75.3%

Based on 16 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
82%
2025
Math
72.7%
ELA
75.5%

* 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: 5.7/10.

How West Bend-mallard Middle School Compares

See how West Bend-mallard Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
27th percentile in IA
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
5.7/10
Above average
Environment
2.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

PO BOX 247 300 3rd Ave SW, West Bend, IA 50597

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Bend-mallard Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Emmetsburg Middle School (rated 8.6/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Emmetsburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Algona Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Algona), which scores notably higher. For more schools in West Bend, see our West Bend schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.1 mi
School Distance Rating
West Bend-Mallard Elementary School West Bend 0.0 mi 4.3
West Bend-Mallard High School West Bend 0.0 mi 6.5
Twin Rivers Elementary School Bode 10.2 mi 8.9
Gilmore City Elementary School Gilmore City 16.0 mi 4.7
Bryant Elementary School Algona 13.3 mi 5.6
Lucia Wallace Elementary School Algona 13.4 mi 6.6
Algona High School Algona 13.5 mi 4.2
Algona Middle School Algona 13.5 mi 7.5
SETON GRADE SCHOOL Algona 13.7 mi 5.6
Bertha Godfrey Elementary School Algona 14.1 mi 4.1
North Union Elementary Fenton 17.8 mi 9.5
BISHOP GARRIGAN CAMPUS Algona 14.7 mi 6.7
EMMETSBURG CATHOLIC SCHOOL Emmetsburg 15.3 mi 7.3
West Elementary School Emmetsburg 16.0 mi 7.8
Emmetsburg High School Emmetsburg 16.5 mi 4.8
Emmetsburg Middle School Emmetsburg 16.5 mi 8.6
Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School Pocahontas 19.2 mi 5.8
Pocahontas Area Regional Learning Center Pocahontas 19.3 mi
Pocahontas Area Elementary School Pocahontas 19.3 mi 5.4
Humboldt High School Humboldt 20.1 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50597 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,042

Median Home Value

$182,800

Median Rent

$604/mo

Population

1,363

College Educated

24.5%

Homeownership

79.6%

Avg Commute

16.2 min

Poverty Rate

4.2%

Median Age

37

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Bend-mallard Middle School has a median household income of $87,042. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $182,800, with a median rent of $604/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Lansing Middle School Lansing, IA 5.6
Galva-Holstein Upper Elementary Galva, IA 5.8
Lake Mills Middle School Lake Mills, IA 5.8
Pleasantville Middle School Pleasantville, IA 5.8
Highland Middle School Riverside, IA 5.9
Lamoni Middle School Lamoni, IA 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Bend-mallard Middle School

What grades does West Bend-mallard Middle School serve?

West Bend-mallard Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend West Bend-mallard Middle School?

West Bend-mallard Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 107 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Bend-mallard Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at West Bend-mallard Middle School is 21.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Bend-mallard Middle School rank in IA?

West Bend-mallard Middle School is ranked #930 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is West Bend-mallard Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Bend-mallard Middle School has a composite rating of 5.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at West Bend-mallard Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Bend-mallard Middle School has 70.3% math proficiency and 77.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Bend-mallard Middle School a charter school?

No, West Bend-mallard Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is West Bend-mallard Middle School a Title I school?

No, West Bend-mallard Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Bend-mallard Middle School?

52.3% of students at West Bend-mallard Middle 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (427/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
107
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Palo Alto County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Bend-Mallard Comm School District
District Enrollment
414
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,663
District Rank
#2 of 3

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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