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State Center, Iowa - 51983328599Photo: Robert Stinnett · CC BY 2.0
A
Schools in State Center · West Marshall Community School District

State Center’s public schools outscore 87% of Iowa districts

82% of students in State Center’s public schools are proficient in reading, above the Iowa average (70%). The grade covers the public school district serving State Center, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Iowa, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Iowa state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
82%
▲ 12 pts vs IA 70%
2021–22
Math proficiency
75%
▲ 11 pts vs IA 64%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 8–12 pts vs IA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$11.5K
▼ 16% vs IA $13.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
15.2
IA 14.1 · larger classes
Schools in town
3
917 students on the public path
In brief

State Center’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 82% and math 75% in spring 2022, against 70% and 64% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $11,528 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is West Marshall Middle School, then West Marshall High School. Enrollment is down 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind State Center’s grade

A− Test scoresA− Graduation

A: better than 87% of Iowa school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the Iowa average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

Iowa school districts we grade (326)Better than 87%
Lower resultsHigher results
Iowa towns with similar household incomes (494)Better than 88%
A−A+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 657 test results and a graduating class of 88 could put State Center anywhere from A− to A+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of State Center’s students in the tested grades sat them (657 in math, 657 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve State Center, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–5West Marshall Elementary SchoolWest Marshall Community School DistrictB−
6–8West Marshall Middle SchoolWest Marshall Community School DistrictA−
9–12West Marshall High SchoolWest Marshall Community School DistrictA

State Center’s public schools are run by West Marshall Community School District, which also serves Clemons, Melbourne, Rhodes and St. Anthony. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

West Marshall Community School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 917 students, down 8% since 2020–21 · 15.2 per teacher (IA 14.1)
$11,528IA $13,713 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading82%
State average 69.7% · 657 students tested
Math75%
State average 63.8% · 657 students tested

State Center vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share State Center’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
State CenterAWest Marshall

Every school in State Center

3 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Iowa’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in State Centerby address
West Marshall Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B−
412 students14:1Rate it →
West Marshall Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
A−
213 students15:1Rate it →
West Marshall High School
High · Grades 9–12
A
292 students16:1Rate it →

Questions about State Center’s schools

Are State Center’s schools good?

By Iowa’s own tests, yes: the public schools State Center children attend outscore 87% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 88%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is State Center in?

West Marshall Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 917 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

Where do State Center kids go to high school?

West Marshall High School, with 292 students; its own test results earn an A.

What is State Center’s graduation rate?

95–100% of the class of 2023 in West Marshall Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.

How much does State Center spend per student?

$11,528 in West Marshall Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What State Center families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near State Center → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Iowa. Stars are from neighbors.