Very Good
#276 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 22% in state
West Hancock Middle School
Middle School · West Hancock Comm School District
PO BOX 130 423 E 5th St, Kanawha, IA 50447
Enrollment
168
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
7.4
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
168
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
7.4
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa middle schools
#47 of 248
In district
#3 of 3
West Hancock Comm School District
Equity
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About West Hancock Middle School
West Hancock Middle School serves 168 students in grades 5 through 8 in the small rural community of Kanawha, Iowa. This regular public school has earned impressive recognition, ranking 40th out of 1,288 middle schools statewide and earning a MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10. The school demonstrates strong academic performance with 82% of students achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts and Math across all grade levels.
With 13 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. West Hancock Middle School's academic excellence places it in the 97th percentile among Iowa schools, reflecting the dedication of both educators and students in this close-knit educational environment. The school's academic score of 8.9 out of 10 underscores its commitment to providing quality education despite its remote rural location.
The surrounding community of Kanawha supports education with a median household income of $71,985 and a low poverty rate of 4.5%. While 24% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the community values education and maintains affordable living with a median home value of $78,800. West Hancock Middle School operates in Hancock County's remote rural setting, where the ZIP code population of just 1,261 creates an intimate, community-focused educational atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 168 students, West Hancock 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.
Located in a rural area, West Hancock 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
View breakdown
West Hancock Middle School — Students at West Hancock Middle School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 16 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: 5.6/10.
How West Hancock Middle School Compares
See how West Hancock Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 82% (2019) to 82% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 77% (2019) to 82% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 130 423 E 5th St, Kanawha, IA 50447
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Hancock Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Garner), with a very similar rating. Another option is Forest City Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 23.8 miles away, in nearby Forest City), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Middle School (rated 5.4/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Clarion), a more accessible option. For more schools in Kanawha, see our Kanawha schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 23.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50447 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,250
Median Home Value
$82,400
Median Rent
$515/mo
Population
1,079
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
86.4%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
5.8%
Median Age
35
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Hancock Middle School has a median household income of $69,250. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $82,400, with a median rent of $515/month. The local poverty rate of 5.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| South Hardin Middle School Hubbard, IA | 7.4 |
| MATER DEI SCHOOL NATIVITY CENTER Sioux City, IA | 7.3 |
| Madrid Junior High School Madrid, IA | 7.3 |
| West Central Valley Middle School Redfield, IA | 7.3 |
| Winterset Junior High School Winterset, IA | 7.3 |
| BLESSED MARIA ASSUNTA PALLOTTA MIDDLE SCHOOL Waterloo, IA | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Hancock Middle School
What grades does West Hancock Middle School serve?
West Hancock Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend West Hancock Middle School?
West Hancock Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 168 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Hancock Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at West Hancock Middle School is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Hancock Middle School rank in IA?
West Hancock Middle School is ranked #276 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is West Hancock Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
West Hancock Middle School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Hancock Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Hancock Middle School has 79.0% math proficiency and 78.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Hancock Middle School a charter school?
No, West Hancock Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Hancock Middle School a Title I school?
No, West Hancock Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Hancock Middle School?
47.6% of students at West Hancock 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
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 168
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 47.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Hancock County
- Phone
- (641) 762-3261
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
West Hancock Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 628
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,275
- District Rank
- #3 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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