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
Enrollment
175
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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West Fork Middle School — Students at West Fork Middle 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
30.3%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.3/10.
How West Fork Middle School Compares
See how West Fork Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 67% (2019) to 67% (2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (641) 892-4159
- 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
- #1 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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