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Excellent

#324 of 2,105 schools in WI

Top 15% in state

West Salem Middle

Middle School · West Salem School District

440 East Ave, West Salem, WI 54669

Enrollment

549

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

8.3

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#324 of 2,105

In West Salem

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

West Salem School District

Equity

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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West Salem Middle

8.3/10

Middle School in West Salem · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

West Salem Elementary

8.4/10

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

West Salem High

5.8/10

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

About West Salem Middle

West Salem Middle is a public middle school in West Salem, WI, part of West Salem School District. West Salem Middle serves approximately 549 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. West Salem Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #324 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for West Salem Middle show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.5 pts above WI schools
  • This school 8.3 · Excellent
  • WI avg 6.8

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.94 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71.7% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency66.6% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg+20 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+16.2 pts
Overall Proficiency69% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)56% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected+13.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,469
Chronic Absenteeism7.1%

West Salem Middle — Students at West Salem Middle score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

27%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 59.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 57.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.3% (2025 FORWARD)

Based on 36 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
88%
ELA
89%
2010
Math
89%
ELA
93%
2011
Math
51%
ELA
42%
2012
Math
53%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
49%
ELA
40%
2014
Math
41%
ELA
50%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
55%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
45%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
58%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
58%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
50%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
50%
ELA
45%
2022
Math
53%
ELA
47.2%
2025
Math
71.7%
ELA
66.6%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How West Salem Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
8.3/10
85th percentile in WI
Academic
8.9/10
Excellent
Growth
8.4/10
Excellent
Environment
7.4/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
7.1%

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

440 East Ave, West Salem, WI 54669

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Salem Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pertzsch Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Onalaska), which scores slightly higher. Another option is West Salem Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 0.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Eagle Bluff Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Onalaska), with a very similar rating. For more schools in West Salem, see our West Salem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.8 mi
School Distance Rating
West Salem Elementary West Salem 0.1 mi 8.4
West Salem High West Salem 0.2 mi 5.8
COULEE REGION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL West Salem 0.4 mi 7.4
CHRIST-ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL West Salem 0.6 mi 4.8
ST PAUL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bangor 4.5 mi
Bangor Elementary Bangor 4.6 mi 7.9
Bangor Middle/High Bangor 4.7 mi 6.4
North Woods International School La Crosse 6.1 mi 7.5
Eagle Bluff Elementary Onalaska 6.3 mi 8.3
Onalaska Prekindergarten Partner School Onalaska 6.3 mi 3.4
LUTHER HIGH SCHOOL Onalaska 7.2 mi 7.1
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Onalaska 7.3 mi 5.7
ST PATRICK SCHOOL Onalaska 7.4 mi 7.6
Onalaska Middle Onalaska 7.7 mi 6.7
Onalaska High Onalaska 7.8 mi 5.2
Pertzsch Elementary Onalaska 7.8 mi 8.9
SANDY OAK AMISH SCHOOL Rockland 7.9 mi
Northern Hills Elementary Onalaska 7.9 mi 7.7
Sand Lake Elementary Holmen 8.4 mi 7.2
Logan High La Crosse 8.8 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54669 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$100,214

Median Home Value

$288,600

Median Rent

$1,156/mo

Population

8,227

College Educated

42.3%

Homeownership

83.1%

Avg Commute

20.3 min

Poverty Rate

6.5%

Median Age

41

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Silverbrook Intermediate West Bend, WI 8.3
Webster Middle Cedarburg, WI 8.3
Winneconne Middle Winneconne, WI 8.3
Wrightstown Middle Wrightstown, WI 8.3
Edgerton Middle Edgerton, WI 8.4
Somerset Middle Somerset, WI 8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Salem Middle

What grades does West Salem Middle serve?

West Salem Middle serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend West Salem Middle?

West Salem Middle has an enrollment of approximately 549 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at West Salem Middle is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Salem Middle rank in WI?

West Salem Middle ranks #324 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is West Salem Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

West Salem Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 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 Salem Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Salem Middle has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is West Salem Middle a charter school?

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

Is West Salem Middle a Title I school?

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

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

27.0% of students at West Salem Middle 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
30 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
59 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
549
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
27.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
La Crosse County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
7.1%

District

West Salem School District
District Enrollment
1,841
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,469
District Rank
#2 of 3

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