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Below Average

#1216 of 1,280 schools in IA

West Marshall High School

High School · West Marshall Comm School District

PO BOX 670 601 3rd Street NW, State Center, IA 50247

Enrollment

299

Student-Teacher

18.7:1

Score

4.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In State Center

#3 of 3

public schools

Iowa high schools

#316 of 334

In district

#3 of 3

West Marshall Comm School District

Equity

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About West Marshall High School

West Marshall High School serves 299 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of State Center, Iowa. With 16 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18.7:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for meaningful student-teacher interactions. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #272 out of 1,288 Iowa high schools, placing it in the 79th percentile statewide.

Students excel particularly in English Language Arts, with 92% achieving proficiency or above across all grade levels. Mathematics performance is solid as well, with 73% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards. West Marshall serves a stable rural community where the median household income reaches $86,250 and home values average $149,800.

The area maintains a low poverty rate of just 5.6%, and about one-third of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a community that values education. As a regular public school in Marshall County, West Marshall High School provides comprehensive high school education in a close-knit rural setting where students can receive individual attention while preparing for their post-secondary goals. The school sits at the heart of State Center, a small Iowa farming community that emphasizes both academic achievement and strong community connections.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, West Marshall High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.4Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.79 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.0Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency73%
Reading/ELA Proficiency92%
Math vs. State Avg+6.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.9 pts
Overall Proficiency83%
Expected (poverty-adj.)76%
vs. Expected+6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
College Readiness1.3Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation0.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,292

West Marshall High School — Students at West Marshall High School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 76%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 79.6%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 88.1%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 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
92%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
73%
ELA
86%
2022
Math
73%
ELA
92%
2025
Math
79.8%
ELA
87.9%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How West Marshall High School Compares

See how West Marshall High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.0/10
5th percentile in IA
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
3.4/10
Below average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

PO BOX 670 601 3rd Street NW, State Center, IA 50247

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Marshall High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Collins-Maxwell Middle/High School (rated 7.7/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Maxwell), which scores notably higher. Another option is Colo-NESCO Middle/High School (rated 6.6/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Colo), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Marshalltown High School (rated 4.2/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Marshalltown), with a very similar rating. For more schools in State Center, see our State Center schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.8 mi
School Distance Rating
West Marshall Middle School State Center 0.1 mi 7.2
West Marshall Elementary School State Center 0.4 mi 7.7
Colo-NESCO Middle/High School Colo 7.6 mi 6.6
Collins-Maxwell Elementary School Collins 10.5 mi 8.3
Colo-Nesco Elementary School Zearing 12.0 mi 6.0
Baxter Elementary School Baxter 13.4 mi 6.5
Baxter High School Baxter 13.4 mi 3.7
Franklin Elementary Sch Marshalltown 12.2 mi 6.8
B R Miller Middle School Marshalltown 12.4 mi 7.3
BCLUW Middle School Union 16.4 mi 7.7
Choice Charter School Union 16.5 mi
Fisher Elementary School Marshalltown 12.9 mi 6.2
Rogers Elementary School Marshalltown 13.1 mi 5.2
Lenihan Intermediate School Marshalltown 13.0 mi 5.4
Collins-Maxwell Middle/High School Maxwell 14.7 mi 7.7
Marshalltown High School Marshalltown 13.5 mi 4.2
Marshalltown Virtual Academy Marshalltown 13.6 mi 3.7
Anson Elementary School Marshalltown 13.6 mi 8.3
J C Hoglan Elementary School Marshalltown 13.7 mi 8.2
Nevada Middle School Nevada 13.8 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50247 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$90,179

Median Home Value

$167,200

Median Rent

$749/mo

Population

2,198

College Educated

36.8%

Homeownership

78.8%

Avg Commute

32.3 min

Poverty Rate

7.2%

Median Age

38.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Marshall High School has a median household income of $90,179. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $167,200, with a median rent of $749/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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
Alburnett Senior High School Alburnett, IA 4.0
Spirit Lake High School Spirit Lake, IA 4.1
West Liberty High School West Liberty, IA 3.9
Baxter High School Baxter, IA 3.7
Tipton High School Tipton, IA 4.3
Woodbine High School Woodbine, IA 3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Marshall High School

What grades does West Marshall High School serve?

West Marshall High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend West Marshall High School?

West Marshall High School has an enrollment of approximately 299 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Marshall High School?

The student-teacher ratio at West Marshall High School is 18.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Marshall High School rank in IA?

West Marshall High School is ranked #1216 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is West Marshall High School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Marshall High School has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Marshall High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Marshall High School has 79.6% math proficiency and 88.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Marshall High School a charter school?

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

Is West Marshall High School a Title I school?

No, West Marshall High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Marshall High School?

26.1% of students at West Marshall High 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
299
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
26.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Marshall County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Marshall Comm School District
District Enrollment
936
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,199
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

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