West Branch High School

Q: Is West Branch High School a good school?

West Branch High School ranks 167 th of 338 Iowa high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Summary:

West Branch High School is a public high school serving 244 students in grades 9-12 in West Branch, Iowa, which is part of the West Branch Community School District. The school consistently performs above the state average on standardized tests, with proficiency rates ranging from 74% to 84.7% in English Language Arts, 60.3% to 72.9% in Mathematics, and 60.3% in Science, compared to the state averages of 70.2% to 74.9%, 63.3% to 66%, and 59.5%, respectively.

West Branch High School has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 11.4 to 13.1 over the past three school years, which is lower than the state average. This suggests smaller class sizes and potentially more individualized attention for students. Compared to nearby schools, West Branch High School generally outperforms many of them in academic metrics, such as Lisbon Secondary, Clear Creek Amana High School, and Tipton High School, which have lower proficiency rates in ELA, Math, and Science. However, the high-performing Solon High School, ranked 10th in the state, has significantly higher proficiency rates across all subject areas.

The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch at West Branch High School has increased from 18.07% in 2020-2021 to 23.77% in 2022-2023, which is lower than the state average and indicates a relatively low percentage of economically disadvantaged students compared to some nearby schools, such as West Liberty High School and Elizabeth Tate Alternative High School, which have much higher rates of economically disadvantaged students.

Detail:

Public 9-12

900 W Main
West Branch, IA 52358-0637

(319) 643-7216

District: West Branch Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
167^th of 338 Iowa High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $18,875

Feeder schools for West Branch High School:

Elementary:	Hoover Elementary School
Middle:	West Branch Middle School

Student/teacher ratio: 13.1

Number of students: 244

Racial breakdown:

White:

86.5%

Hispanic:

7.8%

Two or more races:

2.9%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 23.8%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details West Branch High School ranks better than 50.6% of high schools in Iowa. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 56.15. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at West Branch High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

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Teachers

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Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at West Branch High School is $18,875.

Schooldigger Rankings:

West Branch High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks West Branch High School 167^th of 338 Iowa public high schools. (See West Branch High School in the ranking list.)

West Branch Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks West Branch Community School District 204^th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for West Branch High School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	85.73	10^th	351	97.2%
2013	64.18	132^nd	351	62.4%
2014	86.00	12^th	322	96.3%
2015	71.87	86^th	324	73.5%
2016	69.58	97^th	320	69.7%
2017	73.34	73^rd	325	77.5%
2018	71.59	85^th	320	73.4%
2019	37.29	237^th	327	27.5%
2021	64.65	107^th	327	67.3%
2022	74.90	63^rd	332	81.0%
2023	61.10	128^th	336	61.9%
2024	56.15	167^th	338	50.6%

See the entire list of Iowa High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Iowa Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

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Enrollment information for West Branch High School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1988	213	1	2	1	0	n/a	n/a	217
1989	198	0	3	1	0	n/a	n/a	202
1990	185	0	4	0	0	n/a	n/a	189
1991	179	0	4	4	0	n/a	n/a	187
1992	196	0	3	2	0	n/a	n/a	201
1993	213	0	1	4	0	n/a	n/a	218
1994	239	0	2	5	0	n/a	n/a	246
1995	268	3	1	7	0	n/a	n/a	279
1996	268	3	1	7	0	n/a	n/a	279
1997	270	0	0	6	0	n/a	n/a	276
1998	253	0	0	2	0	n/a	n/a	255
1999	260	0	2	3	0	n/a	n/a	265
2000	243	0	1	2	1	n/a	n/a	247
2001	275	0	3	0	0	n/a	n/a	278
2002	238	3	6	4	0	n/a	n/a	251
2003	238	3	6	4	0	n/a	n/a	251
2004	240	3	4	2	0	n/a	n/a	249
2005	227	1	4	7	1	n/a	n/a	240
2006	235	2	2	6	1	n/a	n/a	246
2007	247	2	3	4	2	n/a	n/a	258
2008	241	2	1	3	2	n/a	n/a	249
2009	233	4	2	1	1	n/a	n/a	241
2010	241	1	0	2	1	0	6	251
2011	253	0	3	4	1	0	9	270
2012	238	1	2	2	2	0	10	255
2013	244	1	2	6	2	0	9	264
2014	228	2	2	8	1	0	9	250
2015	222	1	0	11	0	0	10	244
2016	223	0	0	14	0	0	11	248
2017	220	1	0	12	0	0	11	244
2018	225	2	0	18	0	0	13	258
2019	223	2	3	13	0	0	12	253
2020	208	5	2	12	0	1	16	244
2021	205	4	1	14	2	1	11	238
2022	209	2	1	11	0	2	10	235
2023	211	4	2	19	1	0	7	244

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at West Branch High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	217	14.4	15.0	4.1
1989	202	14.7	13.7	4
1990	189	12.6	15.0	5.3
1991	187	13.0	14.3	5.3
1992	201	14.0	14.3	6.5
1993	218	16.1	13.5	2.8
1994	246	16.3	15.1	2.4
1995	279	16.3	17.1	5.7
1996	279	16.3	17.1	5.7
1997	276	18.5	14.9	5.4
1998	255	17.8	14.3	3.1
1999	265	18.5	14.3	4.9
2000	247	20.8	11.9	5.7
2001	278	20.0	13.9	7.2
2002	251	22.9	11.0	8.8
2003	251	22.9	11.0	8.8
2004	249	22.2	11.2	10.8
2005	240	22.2	10.8	10.4
2006	246	22.3	11.0	13
2007	258	22.4	11.5	9.7
2008	249	23.2	10.7	11.6
2009	241	20.9	11.5	11.6
2010	251	20.2	12.4	14.3
2011	270	21.7	12.4	22.6
2012	255	21.7	11.7	16.9
2013	264	20.0	13.1	18.2
2014	250	19.9	12.5	22.4
2015	244	19.0	12.8	19.7
2016	248	18.0	13.7	22.6
2017	244	16.6	14.6	26.2
2018	258	19.6	13.1	19
2019	253	19.4	12.9	15
2020	244	19.7	12.3	18.9
2021	238	20.5	11.5	18.1
2022	235	20.5	11.4	19.6
2023	244	18.6	13.1	23.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio West Branch High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	217	14.4	15.0	4.1
1989	202	14.7	13.7	4
1990	189	12.6	15.0	5.3
1991	187	13.0	14.3	5.3
1992	201	14.0	14.3	6.5
1993	218	16.1	13.5	2.8
1994	246	16.3	15.1	2.4
1995	279	16.3	17.1	5.7
1996	279	16.3	17.1	5.7
1997	276	18.5	14.9	5.4
1998	255	17.8	14.3	3.1
1999	265	18.5	14.3	4.9
2000	247	20.8	11.9	5.7
2001	278	20.0	13.9	7.2
2002	251	22.9	11.0	8.8
2003	251	22.9	11.0	8.8
2004	249	22.2	11.2	10.8
2005	240	22.2	10.8	10.4
2006	246	22.3	11.0	13
2007	258	22.4	11.5	9.7
2008	249	23.2	10.7	11.6
2009	241	20.9	11.5	11.6
2010	251	20.2	12.4	14.3
2011	270	21.7	12.4	22.6
2012	255	21.7	11.7	16.9
2013	264	20.0	13.1	18.2
2014	250	19.9	12.5	22.4
2015	244	19.0	12.8	19.7
2016	248	18.0	13.7	22.6
2017	244	16.6	14.6	26.2
2018	258	19.6	13.1	19
2019	253	19.4	12.9	15
2020	244	19.7	12.3	18.9
2021	238	20.5	11.5	18.1
2022	235	20.5	11.4	19.6
2023	244	18.6	13.1	23.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for West Branch High School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$99 (0.5%)	$18,775 (99.5%)	$18,875

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on West Branch High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 237^th of 327 High schools	Ranks 128^th of 336 High schools	34.4%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
10th Grade English Language Arts (West Branch High School)	71.9	81.4	9.5%
10th Grade English Language Arts (West Branch Community School District)	71.9	81.4	9.5%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	74.3	72.9	1.4%
10th Grade Mathematics (West Branch High School)	54.7	74.6	19.9%
10th Grade Mathematics (West Branch Community School District)	54.7	74.6	19.9%
10th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	67.1	67	0.1%
11th Grade English Language Arts (West Branch High School)	68.9	81.1	12.2%
11th Grade English Language Arts (West Branch Community School District)	68.9	81.1	12.2%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	71.4	68.7	2.7%
11th Grade Mathematics (West Branch High School)	66.7	79.2	12.5%
11th Grade Mathematics (West Branch Community School District)	66.7	79.2	12.5%
11th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	66.9	67.3	0.4%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	253	244	3.6%
African American	2	4	100%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	3	2	33.3%
Hispanic	13	19	46.2%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	223	211	5.4%
Two or More Races	12	7	41.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	15%	23.8%	8.8%

Schools Near West Branch High School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				ISASP English Language Arts (2024)						ISASP Mathematics (2024)						ISASP Science (2024)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISASP English Language Arts 6th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 7th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 8th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 9th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 10th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 11th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 6th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 7th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 8th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 9th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 10th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 11th Grade	ISASP Science 8th Grade	ISASP Science 10th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
West Branch High School	Public	9-12	900 W Main	West Branch	52358	Cedar County	West Branch Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 643-7216	244	19	13.1	23.8%	211 (86.5%)	4 (1.6%)	19 (7.8%)	2 (0.8%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.9%)	56.2	167^th of 338 public high schools	50.6%		61.1	128^th of 336 public high schools	61.9%	39				74.0	83.8	84.7				60.3	67.6	72.9		60.3	$18,875	$99	$18,775
Iowa City High School	Public	9-12	1900 Morningside Dr	Iowa City	52245	Johnson County	Iowa City Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 688-1040	1,599	105	15.1	39.5%	820 (51.3%)	306 (19.1%)	309 (19.3%)	40 (2.5%)	3 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	93 (5.8%)	43.7	230^th of 338 public high schools	32.0%		49.5	190^th of 336 public high schools	43.5%	40				72.5	67.9	68.2				58.7	66.1	66.9		66.7	$15,356	$511	$14,845
Elizabeth Tate Alternative High School	Public	9-12	1528 Mall Drive	Iowa City	52240	Johnson County	Iowa City Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 688-1080	164	18	9.2	70.1%	49 (29.9%)	73 (44.5%)	27 (16.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (6.7%)	0.2	333^rd of 338 public high schools	1.5%		0.1	334^th of 336 public high schools	0.6%	1					7.7	22.9					7.7	21.6		15.4	$18,143	$196	$17,947
West Liberty High School	Public	9-12	310 West Maxson Ave.	West Liberty	52776	Muscatine County	West Liberty Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 627-2115	364	26	14.1	53.3%	142 (39.0%)	3 (0.8%)	210 (57.7%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.6%)	22.6	289^th of 338 public high schools	14.5%		28	274^th of 336 public high schools	18.5%	15				63.9	63.2	66.7				52.8	55.2	58.0		43.0	$14,944	$401	$14,543
West Senior High School	Public	9-12	2901 Melrose Ave	Iowa City	52246	Johnson County	Iowa City Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 688-1050	1,503	96	15.6	38.3%	696 (46.3%)	397 (26.4%)	175 (11.6%)	159 (10.6%)	3 (0.2%)	2 (0.1%)	67 (4.5%)	57.6	157^th of 338 public high schools	53.6%		61.6	127^th of 336 public high schools	62.2%	30				82.6	72.4	76.0				70.5	68.2	77.2		59.3	$14,737	$345	$14,391
Liberty High School	Public	9-12	1400 S. Dubuque Street	North Liberty	52317	Johnson County	Iowa City Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 688-1210	1,167	78	15.0	24.7%	807 (69.2%)	143 (12.3%)	103 (8.8%)	35 (3.0%)	3 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	66 (5.7%)	69.1	97^th of 338 public high schools	71.3%		69.6	89^th of 336 public high schools	73.5%	8				84.7	82.3	68.5				77.3	79.1	72.2		73.8	$16,180	$374	$15,807
Solon High School	Public	9-12	600 W. 5th Street	Solon	52333	Johnson County	Solon Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 624-3401	475	32	15.0	8.8%	444 (93.5%)	3 (0.6%)	9 (1.9%)	4 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (2.7%)	87.7	10^th of 338 public high schools	97.0%		90.3	11^th of 336 public high schools	96.7%	1				89.5	88.5	88.1				86.3	88.5	87.1		81.1	$13,687	$243	$13,443
Lone Tree Middle-Senior High School	Public	6-12	303 S Devoe St	Lone Tree	52755	Johnson County	Lone Tree Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 629-4610	214	18	12.2	25.2%	191 (89.3%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (8.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.9%)	37.1	249^th of 338 public high schools	26.3%		40.8	228^th of 336 public high schools	32.1%	21	57.7	77.1	45.5	64.0	73.0	73.3	76.9	62.9	45.5	36.0	64.9	70.0	40.9	52.8	$13,078	$319	$12,759
Tipton High School	Public	9-12	400 E 6th St	Tipton	52772	Cedar County	Tipton Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(563) 886-6027	310	22	14.2	22.3%	293 (94.5%)	3 (1.0%)	10 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.3%)	56	169^th of 338 public high schools	50.0%		58.7	144^th of 336 public high schools	57.1%	25				77.9	78.5	79.7				59.7	69.6	65.2		68.4	$13,933	$188	$13,744
Clear Creek Amana High School	Public	9-12	551 W Marengo Rd	Tiffin	52340	Johnson County	Clear Creek Amana Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 545-2361	728	53	13.8	23.1%	593 (81.5%)	37 (5.1%)	51 (7.0%)	7 (1.0%)	4 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (4.9%)	63.7	125^th of 338 public high schools	63.0%		62.3	125^th of 336 public high schools	62.8%					81.0	79.5	66.5				77.2	80.5	70.0		67.9	$30,158	$269	$29,889

Frequently Asked Questions about West Branch High School

What schools feed into West Branch High School?

West Branch High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Hoover Elementary School
Middle : West Branch Middle School

What district is West Branch High School in?

West Branch Community School District

How many students attend West Branch High School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 244 students attended West Branch High School.

What is the racial makeup of West Branch High School?

Students at West Branch High School are 86% White, 8% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races, 2% African American.

Is West Branch High School a good school?

West Branch High School ranks 167^th of 338 Iowa high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Iowa Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.