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Very Good

#465 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 36% in state

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

7.2

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#465 of 1,280

In West Branch

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

West Branch Comm School District

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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West Branch Middle School

7.2/10

Middle School in West Branch · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

West Branch High School

5.4/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Hoover Elementary School

4.3/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About West Branch Middle School

West Branch Middle School is a public middle school in West Branch, IA, part of West Branch Comm School District. West Branch Middle School serves approximately 229 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. West Branch Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #465 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for West Branch Middle School show 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts above IA schools
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • IA avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

West Branch Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.03 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.1Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.6% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency80% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+2.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.3 pts
Overall Proficiency77% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)82% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
Resources & Environment6.0Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,125
Chronic Absenteeism12.2%

West Branch Middle School — Students at West Branch Middle School score 77% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 82%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 77.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.1% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 76.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.3% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 38 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
76%
2013
Math
84%
ELA
74%
2014
Math
82%
ELA
78%
2015
Math
76%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
80%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
78%
ELA
79%
2018
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2019
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2020*
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
69%
ELA
80%
2025
Math
74.6%
ELA
80%

* 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: 8.8/10.

How West Branch Middle School Compares

See how West Branch Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
64th percentile in IA
Academic
6.1/10
Average
Growth
8.8/10
Excellent
Environment
6.0/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 5.3/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Iowa City), a more accessible option. Additionally, West Liberty Middle School (rated 4.7/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby West Liberty), a more accessible option. For more schools in West Branch, see our West Branch schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.0 mi
School Distance Rating
West Branch High School West Branch 0.0 mi 5.4
Hoover Elementary School West Branch 0.8 mi 4.3
SCATTERGOOD FRIENDS SCHOOL West Branch 2.8 mi 7.9
Herbert Hoover Elementary School Iowa City 5.6 mi 8.2
Helen Lemme Elementary School Iowa City 6.4 mi 5.8
Robert Lucas Elementary School Iowa City 6.7 mi 5.6
WILLOWWIND SCHOOL Iowa City 6.8 mi 7.1
West Liberty High School West Liberty 8.0 mi 4.0
Southeast Junior High School Iowa City 7.2 mi 5.3
West Liberty Middle School West Liberty 8.4 mi 4.7
REGINA CATHOLIC EDUCATION CENTER Iowa City 7.2 mi 6.5
REGINA CATHOLIC EDUCATION CENTER Iowa City 7.2 mi 6.4
Early Childhood Center West Liberty 8.5 mi 4.4
West Liberty Elementary School West Liberty 8.5 mi 3.7
Iowa City High School Iowa City 7.4 mi 4.8
Elizabeth Tate Alt. High School Iowa City 7.4 mi 2.2
ICCSD PK-12 Online Learning Program Iowa City 7.5 mi 4.0
Grant Wood Elementary School Iowa City 7.8 mi 6.2
Mark Twain Elementary Iowa City 8.0 mi 7.5
Longfellow Elementary School Iowa City 8.0 mi 5.9

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Albia Middle School Albia, IA 7.2
Hinton Intermediate School Hinton, IA 7.2
Missouri Valley Middle School Missouri Valley, IA 7.2
Winterset Junior High School Winterset, IA 7.2
Dike-New Hartford Junior High School New Hartford, IA 7.3
Jesup Middle School Jesup, IA 7.3

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 ranks #465 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is West Branch Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Branch Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 Branch Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Branch Middle School has 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.2%

District

West Branch Comm School District
District Enrollment
864
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,125
District Rank
#1 of 3

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