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Very Good

#481 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 38% in state

West Fork Middle School

Middle School · West Fork Comm School District

PO BOX 617 504 PARK ST, Sheffield, IA 50475

Enrollment

175

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

7.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#481 of 1,280

In Sheffield

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

West Fork Comm School District

School environment

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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West Fork Middle School

7.1/10

Middle School in Sheffield · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

West Fork High School

5.8/10

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

West Fork Elementary at Rockwell

5.2/10

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

About West Fork Middle School

West Fork Middle School is a public middle school in Sheffield, IA, part of West Fork Comm School District. West Fork Middle School serves approximately 175 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. West Fork Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #481 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for West Fork Middle School show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts above IA schools
  • This school 7.1 · Very Good
  • IA avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

At 175 students, West Fork Middle School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

West Fork 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 Progress7.2Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-0.51 pts/yr
Data Period2011–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.5Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency73% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency80.8% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+0.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.1 pts
Overall Proficiency77% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)78% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-1.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,657
Chronic Absenteeism15.4%

West Fork Middle School — Students at West Fork Middle School score 77% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 78%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 66.9% (multi-year average, 2011-2025)
School
State
73.4% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 71.7% (multi-year average, 2011-2025)
School
State
76.8% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 31 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2011
Math
73%
ELA
66%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
73%
ELA
80.8%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How West Fork Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
63th percentile in IA
Academic
6.5/10
Average
Growth
7.2/10
Very Good
Environment
7.8/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.4%

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

PO BOX 617 504 PARK ST, Sheffield, IA 50475

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Fork Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Lincoln Intermediate (rated 6.6/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Mason City), with a comparable rating. Another option is John Adams Middle School (rated 5.2/10, 17.7 miles away, in nearby Mason City), a more accessible option. Additionally, Hampton-Dumont Middle School (rated 5.1/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Hampton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Sheffield, see our Sheffield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.6 mi
School Distance Rating
West Fork High School Sheffield 0.1 mi 5.8
West Fork Elementary at Rockwell Rockwell 6.2 mi 5.2
Hampton-Dumont High School Hampton 9.9 mi 4.9
North Side Elementary School Hampton 10.0 mi 5.7
Hampton-Dumont Middle School Hampton 10.0 mi 5.1
South Side Elementary School Hampton 11.0 mi 5.3
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Latimer 12.0 mi 6.5
CAL Elementary School Latimer 12.6 mi 9.7
NEWMAN CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mason City 16.3 mi 6.0
NEWMAN CATHOLIC Mason City 16.4 mi 5.4
Lincoln Intermediate Mason City 16.5 mi 6.6
Mason City Virtual Academy Mason City 16.6 mi 2.4
Roosevelt Elementary School Mason City 16.6 mi 6.4
NORTH IOWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mason City 17.4 mi 5.6
Jefferson Elementary School Mason City 17.5 mi 8.6
Mason City High School Mason City 17.7 mi 3.7
John Adams Middle School Mason City 17.7 mi 5.2
Alternative School Mason City 17.8 mi 2.2
Hoover Elementary School Mason City 18.1 mi 4.9
Harding Elementary School Mason City 18.6 mi 6.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BCLUW Middle School Union, IA 7.1
West Lyon Junior High School Inwood, IA 7.1
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Middle School Clarion, IA 7.0
South Hardin Middle School Hubbard, IA 7.0
West Marshall Middle School State Center, IA 7.0
Albia Middle School Albia, IA 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Fork Middle School

What grades does West Fork Middle School serve?

West Fork Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend West Fork Middle School?

West Fork Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 175 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at West Fork Middle School is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Fork Middle School rank in IA?

West Fork Middle School ranks #481 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is West Fork Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Fork Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 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 Fork Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Fork Middle School has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025).

Is West Fork Middle School a charter school?

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

Is West Fork Middle School a Title I school?

No, West Fork Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Fork Middle School?

30.3% of students at West Fork 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
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
175
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Franklin County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.4%

District

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

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