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Average

#454 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 35% 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

6.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa middle schools

#88 of 248

In district

#1 of 3

West Fork Comm School District

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About West Fork Middle School

West Fork Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural community of Sheffield, Iowa. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 175 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1 with 13 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at West Fork Middle School is currently rated at 4.7 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 32nd percentile among Iowa schools.

While the ELA and Math proficiency rates are around 74% and 63%, respectively, science scores stand out with 79% of students proficient or above. West Fork Middle School focuses on providing a nurturing environment where each student can thrive and develop academically and socially in its remote rural setting. The school community is tightly knit, offering a supportive atmosphere for both students and families.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 175 students, West Fork Middle 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 Middle 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 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 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.33 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.1Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Math vs. State Avg-15.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.7 pts
Overall Proficiency62%
Expected (poverty-adj.)74%
vs. Expected-11.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
Resources & Environment6.8Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,004

West Fork Middle School — Students at West Fork Middle 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

30.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 63.4%
School
State
73.4%
ELA Proficiency 73.9%
School
State
76.8%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
62%
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: 9.3/10.

How West Fork Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
65th percentile in IA
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
6.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

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 7.6/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Mason City), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Hampton-Dumont Middle School (rated 6.6/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Hampton), with a comparable rating. Additionally, John Adams Middle School (rated 6.5/10, 17.7 miles away, in nearby Mason City), with a comparable rating. 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 6.4
West Fork Elementary at Rockwell Rockwell 6.2 mi 5.7
Hampton-Dumont High School Hampton 9.9 mi 5.6
North Side Elementary School Hampton 10.0 mi 6.4
Hampton-Dumont Middle School Hampton 10.0 mi 6.6
South Side Elementary School Hampton 11.0 mi 5.6
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Latimer 12.0 mi 6.5
CAL Elementary School Latimer 12.6 mi 8.9
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 7.6
Mason City Virtual Academy Mason City 16.6 mi 3.8
Roosevelt Elementary School Mason City 16.6 mi 8.4
NORTH IOWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mason City 17.4 mi 5.6
Jefferson Elementary School Mason City 17.5 mi 9.2
Mason City High School Mason City 17.7 mi 4.4
John Adams Middle School Mason City 17.7 mi 6.5
Alternative School Mason City 17.8 mi 6.1
Hoover Elementary School Mason City 18.1 mi 7.0
Harding Elementary School Mason City 18.6 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 Middle 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
Hinton Intermediate School Hinton, IA 6.9
Schaller-Crestland Ridge View Middle School Schaller, IA 7.0
South Winneshiek Middle School Ossian, IA 7.0
Dike-New Hartford Junior High School New Hartford, IA 6.8
Missouri Valley Middle School Missouri Valley, IA 6.8
Mediapolis Middle School Mediapolis, IA 7.1

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 is ranked #454 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is West Fork Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Fork Middle School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Fork Middle School has 63.4% math proficiency and 73.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
County Safety
Low (150/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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