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West Branch, Iowa (2022)Photo: David Wilson · CC BY 2.0
B
Schools in West Branch · West Branch Community School District

West Branch’s public schools outscore 62% of Iowa districts

The grade covers the public school district serving West Branch, 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.

≈could be anywhere from C+ to A−#61of 140 Iowa townsK–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
76%
▲ 6 pts vs IA 70%
2021–22
Math proficiency
68%
▲ 4 pts vs IA 64%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 2–6 pts vs IA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.7K
▼ 8% vs IA $13.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.4
IA 14.1 · smaller classes
Schools in town
4
880 students on the public path
In brief

West Branch’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 393 Iowa towns with household incomes within a quarter of West Branch’s, its schools beat 53%, lower than their 62% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 76% and math 68% in spring 2022, against 70% and 64% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $12,650 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 5 the district’s path is West Branch Middle School, then West Branch High School. 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 West Branch’s grade

B Test scoresB− Graduation

B: better than 62% of Iowa school districts, #61 of 140 Iowa towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Iowa average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Iowa school districts we grade (326)Better than 62%
Lower resultsHigher results
Iowa towns with similar household incomes (393)Better than 53%
C+A−A rough placement. Ordinary sampling error in 522 test results and a graduating class of 63 could put West Branch anywhere from C+ to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of West Branch’s students in the tested grades sat them (522 in math, 522 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–4Hoover Elementary SchoolWest Branch Community School DistrictC−
5–8West Branch Middle SchoolWest Branch Community School DistrictB
9–12West Branch High SchoolWest Branch Community School DistrictB

West Branch’s public schools are run by West Branch Community School District. 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 Branch Community School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 880 students · 13.4 per teacher (IA 14.1)
$12,650IA $13,713 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading76%
State average 69.7% · 522 students tested
Math68%
State average 63.8% · 522 students tested

West Branch vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share West Branch’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
West BranchBWest Branch

Every school in West Branch

4 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 West Branchby address
Hoover Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–4
C−
353 students13:1Rate it →
West Branch Community Early Learning Center
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
15 studentsRate it →
West Branch Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
B
239 students14:1Rate it →
West Branch High School
High · Grades 9–12
B
273 students13:1Rate it →

Questions about West Branch’s schools

Are West Branch’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Iowa: the public schools West Branch children attend outscore 62% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #61 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 53%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is West Branch in?

West Branch Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 880 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do West Branch kids go to high school?

West Branch High School, with 273 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is West Branch’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in West Branch Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.

How much does West Branch spend per student?

$12,650 in West Branch Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What West Branch families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near West Branch → 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.