Average
#648 of 1,280 schools in IA
West Fork High School
High School · West Fork Comm School District
PO BOX 617 453 N. 5th St., Sheffield, IA 50475
Enrollment
196
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
196
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa high schools
#128 of 334
In district
#2 of 3
West Fork Comm School District
School environment
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About West Fork High School
West Fork High School is a regular public high school located in the rural community of Sheffield, Iowa, in Franklin County. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, West Fork has an enrollment of 196 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1 with 16 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is quite remote, offering a close-knit community feel where everyone knows each other.
West Fork High School focuses on providing a supportive learning environment for its students, with an emphasis on personal growth and development rather than solely academic achievement. According to MySchoolScout ratings, the school ranks in the 24th percentile among Iowa's high schools, scoring 3.7 out of 10 academically. In terms of proficiency rates, 74% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 56% in Math, and 72% in Science.
West Fork High School is situated in a rural area where the community values close relationships and support for local education initiatives.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 196 students, West Fork High 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.
While current test scores at West Fork High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, West Fork High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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West Fork High School — Students at West Fork High School score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 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: 6.1/10.
How West Fork High School Compares
See how West Fork High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 74.5% (2019) to 72% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 617 453 N. 5th St., Sheffield, IA 50475
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Fork High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Alternative School (rated 6.1/10, 17.7 miles away, in nearby Mason City), with a comparable rating. Another option is Hampton-Dumont High School (rated 5.6/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Hampton), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Mason City High School (rated 4.4/10, 17.6 miles away, in nearby Mason City), a more accessible option. For more schools in Sheffield, see our Sheffield schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| West Fork Middle School Sheffield | 0.1 mi | 6.9 |
| West Fork Elementary at Rockwell Rockwell | 6.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Hampton-Dumont High School Hampton | 10.0 mi | 5.6 |
| North Side Elementary School Hampton | 10.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Hampton-Dumont Middle School Hampton | 10.1 mi | 6.6 |
| South Side Elementary School Hampton | 11.1 mi | 5.6 |
| ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Latimer | 12.0 mi | 6.5 |
| CAL Elementary School Latimer | 12.7 mi | 8.9 |
| NEWMAN CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mason City | 16.3 mi | 6.0 |
| NEWMAN CATHOLIC Mason City | 16.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Lincoln Intermediate Mason City | 16.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Mason City Virtual Academy Mason City | 16.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Roosevelt Elementary School Mason City | 16.5 mi | 8.4 |
| NORTH IOWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mason City | 17.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Mason City | 17.4 mi | 9.2 |
| Mason City High School Mason City | 17.6 mi | 4.4 |
| John Adams Middle School Mason City | 17.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Alternative School Mason City | 17.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Hoover Elementary School Mason City | 18.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Harding Elementary School Mason City | 18.5 mi | 9.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50475 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$78,333
Median Home Value
$155,600
Median Rent
$648/mo
Population
1,598
College Educated
16.9%
Homeownership
81.8%
Avg Commute
20.5 min
Poverty Rate
13.6%
Median Age
38.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Fork High School has a median household income of $78,333. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $155,600, with a median rent of $648/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Boyden-Hull High School Hull, IA | 6.4 |
| Dunkerton High School Dunkerton, IA | 6.4 |
| Highland High School Riverside, IA | 6.4 |
| Montezuma High School Montezuma, IA | 6.4 |
| West Branch High School West Branch, IA | 6.4 |
| Akron Westfield Senior High School Akron, IA | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Fork High School
What grades does West Fork High School serve?
West Fork High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend West Fork High School?
West Fork High School has an enrollment of approximately 196 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Fork High School?
The student-teacher ratio at West Fork High School is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Fork High School rank in IA?
West Fork High School is ranked #648 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is West Fork High School's MySchoolScout rating?
West Fork High School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Fork High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Fork High School has 56.2% math proficiency and 73.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Fork High School a charter school?
No, West Fork High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Fork High School a Title I school?
No, West Fork High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Fork High School?
29.6% of students at West Fork High 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
- County Safety
- Low (150/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 196
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 29.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Franklin County
- Phone
- (641) 892-4461
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
West Fork Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 760
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,657
- District Rank
- #2 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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