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#1071 of 1,280 schools in IA

West Liberty Middle School

Middle School · West Liberty Comm School District

203 E. 7th St, West Liberty, IA 52776

Enrollment

391

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

5.0

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In West Liberty

#2 of 4

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#212 of 248

In district

#2 of 4

West Liberty Comm School District

About West Liberty Middle School

West Liberty Middle School is a regular public middle school serving students in grades 5 through 8. Located in the rural community of West Liberty, Iowa, in Muscatine County, the school is situated at 203 E. 7th St., providing a welcoming environment for its 391 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1, the school offers individualized attention and support.

West Liberty Middle School has a dedicated teaching staff of 26 full-time equivalent teachers who focus on academic growth and development. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.9 out of 10, ranking it at #1050 out of 1288 schools in Iowa (19th percentile), indicating room for improvement in overall performance. Academically, the school shows proficiency rates of 60% in ELA/Reading and Math, as well as 58% in Science.

West Liberty Middle School is situated in a close-knit rural setting that fosters a strong sense of community among students and families.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, West Liberty 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 Progress5.2Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.03 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.0Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64%
Math vs. State Avg-15 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.7 pts
Overall Proficiency61%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected-2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,339

West Liberty Middle School — Students at West Liberty Middle School score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 58.4%
School
State
73.1%
ELA Proficiency 60.4%
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
59%
ELA
58%
2021*
Math
56%
ELA
66%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
64%
2025
Math
59.3%
ELA
58.6%

* 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: 5.2/10.

How West Liberty Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
16th percentile in IA
Academic
5.0/10
5.0/10
Growth
5.2/10
Above average
Environment
4.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

Location

203 E. 7th St, West Liberty, IA 52776

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Liberty Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Susan Clark Junior High (rated 7.9/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Muscatine), which scores notably higher. Another option is Tipton Middle School (rated 6.4/10, 14.9 miles away, in nearby Tipton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Branch Middle School (rated 5.4/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby West Branch), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in West Liberty, see our West Liberty schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Early Childhood Center West Liberty 0.2 mi 6.7
West Liberty Elementary School West Liberty 0.2 mi 4.0
West Liberty High School West Liberty 0.5 mi 3.9
SCATTERGOOD FRIENDS SCHOOL West Branch 6.6 mi 7.9
Hoover Elementary School West Branch 8.2 mi 6.7
West Branch Middle School West Branch 8.4 mi 5.4
West Branch High School West Branch 8.4 mi 6.4
Lone Tree Elementary School Lone Tree 10.6 mi 7.1
Lone Tree Middle-Senior High School Lone Tree 10.6 mi 5.8
Herbert Hoover Elementary School Iowa City 11.7 mi 7.6
Mulberry Elementary School Muscatine 13.2 mi 7.4
Muscatine High School Muscatine 13.4 mi 5.8
Tipton Middle School Tipton 14.9 mi 6.4
Tipton Elementary School Tipton 15.0 mi 7.7
MUSCATINE ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Muscatine 13.5 mi
SS MARY AND MATHIAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Muscatine 13.6 mi 7.4
Susan Clark Junior High Muscatine 14.1 mi 7.9
Tipton High School Tipton 15.3 mi 4.3
McKinley Elementary School Muscatine 14.1 mi 3.9
Helen Lemme Elementary School Iowa City 13.1 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52776 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,947

Median Home Value

$197,900

Median Rent

$748/mo

Population

5,023

College Educated

18.8%

Homeownership

76.8%

Avg Commute

20.5 min

Poverty Rate

6%

Median Age

37.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Liberty Middle School has a median household income of $75,947. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $197,900, with a median rent of $748/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% is relatively low. 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
Oelwein Middle School Oelwein, IA 5.0
Carroll Middle School Carroll, IA 5.1
Franklin Middle School Cedar Rapids, IA 4.9
REGIS MIDDLE SCHOOL Cedar Rapids, IA 4.9
Central Lee Middle School Donnellson, IA 5.2
Clarke Community Middle School Osceola, IA 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Liberty Middle School

What grades does West Liberty Middle School serve?

West Liberty Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend West Liberty Middle School?

West Liberty Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 391 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at West Liberty Middle School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Liberty Middle School rank in IA?

West Liberty Middle School is ranked #1071 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is West Liberty Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Liberty Middle School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Liberty Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Liberty Middle School has 58.4% math proficiency and 60.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Liberty Middle School a charter school?

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

Is West Liberty Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

50.6% of students at West Liberty 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

City Safety
Average (651/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (West Liberty). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
391
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Muscatine County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Liberty Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,282
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,648
District Rank
#2 of 4

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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