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Average

#1038 of 2,221 schools in MO

Top 47% in state

West Middle School

Middle School · COLUMBIA 93

401 CLINKSCALES RD, Columbia, MO 65203

Enrollment

525

Student-Teacher

10.7:1

Score

6.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Missouri schools

#1,038 of 2,221

In Columbia

#21 of 33

public schools

In district

#21 of 33

COLUMBIA 93

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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West Middle School

6.5/10

Middle School in Columbia · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Our Lady of Lourdes Interparish School

5.5/10

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

West Blvd. Elem.

4.1/10

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

About West Middle School

West Middle School is a public middle school in Columbia, MO, part of COLUMBIA 93. West Middle School serves approximately 525 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 10.7:1 student-teacher ratio. West Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,038 of 2,221 schools in MO.

Structured state assessment records for West Middle School show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 7.6
  • MO avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at West Middle School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+3.18 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics3.9Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.8% (2025 MAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency31.3% (2025 MAP)
Math vs. State Avg-21.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.6 pts
Overall Proficiency30% (2025 MAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 MAP)
vs. Expected-10.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment6.9Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,936
Chronic Absenteeism29.1%

West Middle School — Students at West Middle School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO MAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 41.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
45.9% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 45.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
42.0% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 39 test records from MO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
63%
ELA
56%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
59%
2011
Math
61%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
58%
2013
Math
55%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
51%
ELA
58%
2016
Math
45%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
49%
ELA
58%
2018
Math
44%
ELA
51%
2019
Math
44%
ELA
51%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
36%
2022
Math
23%
ELA
32%
2024
Math
25.1%
ELA
27.6%
2025
Math
27.8%
ELA
31.3%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How West Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
53th percentile in MO
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
8.6/10
Excellent
Environment
6.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.1%

Programs & Offerings

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

401 CLINKSCALES RD, Columbia, MO 65203

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. SMITHTON MIDDLE (rated 9.0/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, JEFFERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
OUR LADY OF LOURDES INTERPARISH SCHOOL Columbia 0.4 mi 5.5
WEST BLVD. ELEM. Columbia 0.5 mi 4.1
RUSSELL BLVD. ELEM. Columbia 1.0 mi 7.6
COLUMBIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia 0.9 mi
COLUMBIA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL Columbia 1.1 mi 8.3
COLLEGE PARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Columbia 1.4 mi 5.8
MARY PAXTON KEELEY ELEM. Columbia 1.2 mi 7.6
HERITAGE ACADEMY Columbia 1.5 mi 3.6
FAIRVIEW ELEM. Columbia 1.5 mi 8.9
ULYSSES S. GRANT ELEM. Columbia 1.4 mi 7.9
SMITHTON MIDDLE Columbia 1.4 mi 9.0
LA PETITE ECOLE Columbia 1.7 mi
JOHN RIDGEWAY ELEM. Columbia 1.4 mi 7.0
PARKADE ELEM. Columbia 1.6 mi 7.0
DELMAR A COBBLE SCHOOL Columbia 1.7 mi
FREDERICK DOUGLASS HIGH Columbia 1.6 mi 4.2
DAVID H. HICKMAN HIGH Columbia 1.7 mi 5.2
ISLAMIC SCHOOL OF COLUMBIA-MISSOURI Columbia 1.8 mi 7.9
JEFFERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Columbia 1.8 mi 8.6
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP SCHOOL Columbia 2.2 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 65203 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,442

Median Home Value

$319,100

Median Rent

$1,035/mo

Population

59,663

College Educated

64.9%

Homeownership

63.5%

Avg Commute

17.5 min

Poverty Rate

12.3%

Median Age

36.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
FOX MIDDLE Arnold, MO 6.5
GRANDVIEW MIDDLE Grandview, MO 6.5
HICKMAN MILLS 6TH 7TH GR CTR Kansas City, MO 6.5
MIDDLE SCH. Neosho, MO 6.5
SEDALIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Sedalia, MO 6.5
SOUTH MIDDLE Raytown, MO 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Middle School

What grades does West Middle School serve?

West Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend West Middle School?

West Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 525 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at West Middle School is 10.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Middle School rank in MO?

West Middle School ranks #1,038 of 2,221 schools in MO.

What is West Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Middle School has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is West Middle School a charter school?

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

Is West Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

61.0% of students at West 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
65 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
69 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
525
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Boone County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.1%

District

COLUMBIA 93
District Enrollment
18,769
Schools in District
36
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,936
District Rank
#21 of 33

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