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Average

#731 of 1,280 schools in IA

West Senior High School

High School · Iowa City Comm School District

2901 Melrose Ave, Iowa City, IA 52246

Enrollment

1,472

Student-Teacher

15.7:1

Score

6.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#731 of 1,280

In Iowa City

#8 of 17

public schools

In district

#14 of 29

Iowa City Comm School District

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West Senior High School

6.1/10

High School in Iowa City · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Weber Elementary

4.9/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Ernest Horn Elementary School

5.3/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About West Senior High School

West Senior High School is a public high school in Iowa City, IA, part of Iowa City Comm School District. West Senior High School serves approximately 1,472 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.7:1 student-teacher ratio. West Senior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #731 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for West Senior High School show 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts above district
  • This school 6.1 · Average
  • District avg 5.0
  • IA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

41% of students at West Senior High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.82 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency77.9% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+7.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.8 pts
Overall Proficiency76% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)74% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+1.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College Readiness7.5Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate96%
AP Participation49.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,391
Chronic Absenteeism41.4%

West Senior High School — Students at West Senior High School score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 80.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.3% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 79.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.2% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
80%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
88%
ELA
85%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
83%
2014
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
90%
ELA
81%
2016
Math
89%
ELA
83%
2017
Math
89%
ELA
83%
2018
Math
73%
ELA
71%
2019
Math
73%
ELA
71%
2020*
Math
71%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
71%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
71%
ELA
74%
2025
Math
74%
ELA
77.9%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How West Senior High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
43th percentile in IA
Academic
6.8/10
Average
Growth
5.8/10
Average
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 1.7
Sports
25
12 boys' · 13 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
94 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
41.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
49.3% participation·State avg: 1.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics25sports offered
12 boys'·13 girls'·72 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2901 Melrose Ave, Iowa City, IA 52246

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Wickham Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Coralville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alexander Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Horace Mann Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Iowa City, see our Iowa City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Weber Elementary Iowa City 1.0 mi 4.9
Ernest Horn Elementary School Iowa City 1.0 mi 5.3
Central Elementary School Coralville 1.6 mi 5.8
Norman Borlaug Elementary School Coralville 1.5 mi 5.3
Northwest Junior High School Coralville 2.0 mi 5.9
Lincoln Elementary School Iowa City 1.7 mi 6.6
Kirkwood Elementary School Coralville 2.2 mi 5.4
HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Coralville 2.5 mi
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IOWA CITY Coralville 2.8 mi 7.4
PURPLE BLOOM SCHOOL LLC Coralville 3.5 mi
Wickham Elementary Coralville 3.6 mi 8.7
Horace Mann Elementary School Iowa City 3.0 mi 7.6
Bohumil Shimek Elementary School Iowa City 3.3 mi 7.4
FAITH ACADEMY Iowa City 3.3 mi 7.2
Longfellow Elementary School Iowa City 3.2 mi 5.9
Mark Twain Elementary Iowa City 3.5 mi 7.5
North Central Junior High School North Liberty 4.9 mi 6.8
James Van Allen Elementary School North Liberty 5.1 mi 6.9
Alexander Elementary Iowa City 4.2 mi 7.8
Iowa City High School Iowa City 3.9 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52246 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,088

Median Home Value

$327,100

Median Rent

$1,049/mo

Population

21,944

College Educated

66.7%

Homeownership

43.2%

Avg Commute

19.9 min

Poverty Rate

25.8%

Median Age

28.7

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bettendorf High School Bettendorf, IA 6.0
Cedar Falls High School Cedar Falls, IA 6.3
Ankeny High School Ankeny, IA 5.8
Norwalk Senior High School Norwalk, IA 5.8
Urbandale High School Urbandale, IA 5.8
Johnston Senior High School Johnston, IA 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Senior High School

What grades does West Senior High School serve?

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

How many students attend West Senior High School?

West Senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,472 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at West Senior High School is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Senior High School rank in IA?

West Senior High School ranks #731 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is West Senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Senior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at West Senior High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Senior High School has 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is West Senior High School a charter school?

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

Is West Senior High School a Title I school?

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

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

38.0% of students at West Senior 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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
16 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
32 Some Transit
Bike Score
59 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,472
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
94
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Johnson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
41.4%
4-Year Graduation
96.0%

District

Iowa City Comm School District
District Enrollment
14,776
Schools in District
29
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,391
District Rank
#14 of 29

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