Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student Progress5.6Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.18 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.5Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency82%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82%
Math vs. State Avg+10 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.3 pts
Overall Proficiency82%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+17.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,698

West Hancock Middle School — Students at West Hancock Middle School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 79.0%
School
State
73.1%
ELA Proficiency 78.5%
School
State
75.3%

Based on 16 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
82%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2025
Math
79.2%
ELA
79.6%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.4/10
79th percentile in IA
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
5.6/10
Above average
Environment
7.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
West Hancock Elementary School Britt 10.8 mi 7.9
West Hancock High School Britt 10.9 mi 8.3
Belmond-Klemme Alternative School Belmond 10.8 mi
Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School Belmond 10.9 mi 3.8
Belmond-Klemme Community Jr-Sr High School Belmond 11.1 mi 7.3
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Middle School Clarion 14.2 mi 5.4
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Elementary School Clarion 14.3 mi 6.7
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School Clarion 14.2 mi 5.3
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School Garner 13.8 mi 7.4
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Elementary School Garner 14.1 mi 7.8
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Middle School Garner 14.1 mi 7.4
Eagle Grove High School Eagle Grove 19.7 mi 6.3
Eagle Grove Elementary Eagle Grove 19.7 mi 5.7
Robert Blue School Eagle Grove 19.7 mi 4.0
Forest City Elementary School Forest City 23.6 mi 8.3
Forest City High School Forest City 23.7 mi 8.2
Forest City Middle School Forest City 23.8 mi 7.0
BISHOP GARRIGAN CAMPUS Algona 23.6 mi 6.7
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Latimer 24.2 mi 6.5
Bertha Godfrey Elementary School Algona 23.6 mi 4.1

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (317/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Hancock Comm School District
District Enrollment
628
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,275
District Rank
#3 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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.