Average
#989 of 1,280 schools in IA
West Branch Middle School
Middle School · West Branch Comm School District
900 W. Main St., West Branch, IA 52358
Enrollment
229
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
5.4
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
229
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
5.4
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In West Branch
#3 of 3
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#205 of 248
In district
#3 of 3
West Branch Comm School District
About West Branch Middle School
West Branch Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural community of West Branch, Iowa. Serving students from fifth through eighth grade, the school currently enrolls 229 students with a student-teacher ratio of about 15 to 1, ensuring that each student receives individual attention. With 15 full-time equivalent teachers, the faculty is dedicated to supporting the academic and social development of its middle schoolers.
West Branch Middle School offers a curriculum that prepares students for their high school years while focusing on core subjects such as English Language Arts (ELA), mathematics, and science. Test scores show that 79% of students are proficient in ELA/reading, 74% in math, and 72% in science. While the MySchoolScout rating is 5.2 out of 10 and the state ranking is #715 out of 1288 schools in Iowa (45th percentile), the school continues to work on improving its academic performance.
West Branch Middle School sits at 900 W. Main St., nestled in a rural setting near the small town where it serves as an important educational hub for local families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, West Branch 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
West Branch Middle School — Students at West Branch Middle School score 74% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 78%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
22.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 16 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: 4.5/10.
How West Branch Middle School Compares
See how West Branch Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 69% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 82% (2019) to 80% (2022).
Location
900 W. Main St., West Branch, IA 52358
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Branch Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Southeast Junior High School (rated 5.5/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Iowa City), with a very similar rating. Additionally, West Liberty Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby West Liberty), with a comparable rating. For more schools in West Branch, see our West Branch schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.0 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52358 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,250
Median Home Value
$235,900
Median Rent
$1,010/mo
Population
3,752
College Educated
30.5%
Homeownership
82.8%
Avg Commute
23.6 min
Poverty Rate
7.9%
Median Age
37.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Branch Middle School 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.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Middle School Clarion, IA | 5.4 |
| Rock Valley Middle School Rock Valley, IA | 5.5 |
| Treynor Middle School Treynor, IA | 5.6 |
| Central Lee Middle School Donnellson, IA | 5.2 |
| Lake Mills Middle School Lake Mills, IA | 5.8 |
| Woodward-Granger Middle School Woodward, IA | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Branch Middle School
What grades does West Branch Middle School serve?
West Branch Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend West Branch Middle School?
West Branch Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 229 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Branch Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at West Branch Middle School is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Branch Middle School rank in IA?
West Branch Middle School is ranked #989 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is West Branch Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
West Branch Middle School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Branch Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Branch Middle School has 73.8% math proficiency and 79.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Branch Middle School a charter school?
No, West Branch Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Branch Middle School a Title I school?
No, West Branch Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Branch Middle School?
22.7% of students at West Branch 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (422/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (West Branch). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 229
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 22.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Cedar County
- Phone
- (319) 643-5324
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
West Branch Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 864
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,125
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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