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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.44 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.0Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg-14.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.1 pts
Overall Proficiency62%
Expected (poverty-adj.)74%
vs. Expected-12.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,004

West Fork High School — Students at West Fork High School score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 56.2%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 73.5%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 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
54.5%
ELA
74.5%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
59.5%
ELA
74.2%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.4/10
50th percentile in IA
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Fork Comm School District
District Enrollment
760
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,657
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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