Western Middle School for the Arts

Summary:

Western Middle School for the Arts is a public magnet middle school in Louisville, Kentucky, serving 650 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Jefferson County school district, which is ranked 141 out of 159 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Despite its focus on the arts, Western Middle School for the Arts consistently underperforms compared to the district and state averages in core academic subjects. In the 2023-2024 school year, the school's proficiency rates were significantly lower than the district and state in mathematics, reading, and other subjects like writing and social studies. The performance of different student subgroups also varies significantly, with White and Multi-racial students performing relatively well, while African American, Hispanic, and Economically Disadvantaged students struggle.

When compared to other magnet middle schools in the Jefferson County district, such as Barret Traditional Middle, Meyzeek Middle, and Noe Middle, Western Middle School for the Arts is an outlier in terms of academic performance, with much lower proficiency rates and state rankings. The school's high percentage of economically disadvantaged students and its location within a low-performing school district may be contributing factors to its academic challenges.


Detail:

Public, Magnet 6-8

 2201 West Main Street
       Louisville, KY  40212


(502) 485-8345

District: Jefferson County

SchoolDigger Rank:
251st of 324 Kentucky Middle Schools


Students who attend Western Middle School for the Arts usually attend:

High:    Seneca High

Student/teacher ratio:  17.1 Help
Number of students:  650

Racial breakdown:

African American:
55.2%
White:
25.8%
Hispanic:
10.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  60.5% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Western Middle School for the Arts ranks worse than 77.5% of middle schools in Kentucky. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 24.6. (See more...)
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Chronic absenteeism in a high 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.
Finance
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Western Middle School for the Arts:

SchoolDigger ranks Western Middle School for the Arts 251st of 324 Kentucky public middle schools. (See Western Middle School for the Arts in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Jefferson County:

SchoolDigger ranks Jefferson County 141st of 159 Kentucky school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Western Middle School for the Arts

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Rank History for all students at Western Middle School for the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2007 0.61 284th 284 0.0%
2008 0.27 287th 287 0.0%
2009 0.79 289th 289 0.0%
2010 0.60 299th 299 0.0%
2011 0.27 304th 304 0.0%
2012 13.74 296th 319 7.2%
2013 31.97 259th 335 22.7%
2014 36.57 238th 335 29.0%
2015 20.68 290th 337 13.9%
2016 35.99 236th 331 28.7%
2017 35.22 230th 330 30.3%
2018 46.24 179th 322 44.4%
2019 35.19 240th 335 28.4%
2021 39.31 158th 282 44.0%
2022 35.79 213th 320 33.4%
2023 31.57 232nd 327 29.1%
2024 24.60 251st 324 22.5%
See the entire list of Kentucky Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Western Middle School for the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 67.02 20th 87 77.0%
2022 53.76 38th 98 61.2%
2023 68.89 16th 95 83.2%
2024 46.99 44th 99 55.6%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Western Middle School for the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 18.33 35th 35 0.0%
2019 30.26 33rd 38 13.2%
2022 80.32 1st 6 83.3%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Middle Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Western Middle School for the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 29.79 229th 294 22.1%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Western Middle School for the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 49.24 136th 285 52.3%
2019 38.40 202nd 303 33.3%
2021 37.84 129th 224 42.4%
2022 35.68 206th 310 33.5%
2023 37.70 186th 309 39.8%
2024 19.82 269th 311 13.5%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Western Middle School for the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 52.37 133rd 290 54.1%
2019 40.91 194th 299 35.1%
2021 41.83 127th 233 45.5%
2022 30.29 221st 299 26.1%
2023 24.45 234th 295 20.7%
2024 21.34 254th 300 15.3%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Western Middle School for the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 42.69 97th 219 55.7%
2019 50.08 82nd 226 63.7%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Western Middle School for the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 17.60 269th 293 8.2%
2019 13.99 283rd 303 6.6%
2022 26.45 238th 304 21.7%
2023 44.96 158th 307 48.5%
2024 24.78 237th 304 22.0%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Western Middle School for the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 80.08 9th 96 90.6%
2019 65.31 23rd 96 76.0%
2022 54.05 33rd 84 60.7%
2023 47.76 35th 79 55.7%
2024 46.72 45th 80 43.8%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Western Middle School for the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 43.63 66th 116 43.1%
2019 43.35 70th 120 41.7%
2022 49.36 55th 120 54.2%
2023 63.60 36th 119 69.7%
2024 31.84 92nd 123 25.2%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Western Middle School for the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 76.49 41st 253 83.8%
2019 67.05 65th 266 75.6%
2021 91.48 10th 213 95.3%
2022 72.47 56th 314 82.2%
2023 68.78 75th 320 76.6%
2024 71.58 64th 316 79.7%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Middle Schools for White Students!

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

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Western Middle School for the Arts Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Kentucky Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a teacher
Thursday, September 29, 2016

Open Quote Kids are allowed to be themselves and excel in academics and the arts at Western Middle! Close Quote


by a parent
Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Open Quote My child is being challenged academically, and is thriving. We came from an MST elementary school where the academic culture was very strong, and he has seen continued success at Western.

The Performing Arts program has allowed my child to broaden his view of school, and it is inspiring him in new ways. He's learning that his potential is not only vast, but limitless. The class size allows him plenty of attention, the staff is pro-active and compassionate, and the Principal, Dr. Kym Rice, is fully engaged, informed, and caring for Every child.

We are very happy that we chose Western Middle School. They are truly turning the program around in a positive and major way!! We are confident that our child will be fully prepared to succeed in high school and beyond. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Western Middle School for the Arts

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 580 293 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 873
1989 561 337 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 898
1990 530 334 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 864
1991 507 313 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 820
1992 518 327 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 845
1993 534 332 0 2 1 n/a n/a 0 869
1994 530 342 0 2 2 n/a n/a 0 876
1995 494 316 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 810
1996 494 316 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 810
1997 458 316 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 774
1998 428 389 0 1 0 n/a n/a 7 825
1999 347 397 1 2 0 n/a n/a 6 753
2000 326 397 1 2 0 n/a n/a 22 748
2001 351 470 1 7 0 n/a n/a 40 869
2002 320 398 4 46 0 n/a n/a 0 768
2003 320 398 4 46 0 n/a n/a 0 768
2004 312 359 4 27 0 n/a n/a 0 702
2005 280 322 2 25 0 n/a n/a 0 629
2006 239 269 1 32 1 n/a n/a 0 542
2007 191 248 1 23 1 n/a n/a 32 496
2008 173 240 2 22 1 n/a n/a 28 466
2009 158 279 2 26 0 n/a n/a 21 486
2010 158 250 3 27 0 n/a n/a 18 456
2011 127 198 2 14 0 0 8 0 349
2012 117 144 1 25 0 0 5 0 292
2013 142 186 8 39 2 0 9 0 386
2014 158 224 7 55 4 0 13 0 461
2015 161 304 13 62 2 0 16 0 558
2016 170 320 12 52 1 0 19 0 574
2017 178 351 14 43 0 2 18 0 606
2018 166 379 13 43 0 2 24 0 627
2019 145 369 11 64 0 3 27 0 619
2020 154 394 13 75 0 2 28 0 666
2021 184 378 15 77 0 1 36 0 691
2022 166 385 9 69 0 1 40 0 670
2023 168 359 8 70 0 0 45 0 650

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 Western Middle School for the Arts

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 873 56.1 15.5 n/a
1989 898 59.5 15.0 n/a
1990 864 54.4 15.8 n/a
1991 820 54.7 14.9 n/a
1992 845 58.1 14.5 n/a
1993 869 55.3 15.7 n/a
1994 876 52.8 16.6 n/a
1995 810 51.8 15.6 n/a
1996 810 51.8 15.6 n/a
1997 774 53.0 14.6 80.9
1998 825 48.7 16.9 71.5
1999 753 47.3 15.9 79.1
2000 748 48.0 15.6 85.3
2001 869 50.2 17.3 81.5
2002 768 47.0 16.3 99.6
2003 768 47.0 16.3 99.6
2004 702 52.2 13.4 n/a
2005 629 51.0 12.3 n/a
2006 542 47.0 11.5 99.4
2007 496 36.0 13.8 102.6
2008 466 35.0 13.3 101.8
2009 486 35.0 13.9 100.4
2010 456 26.0 17.5 99.8
2011 349 35.3 9.8 96.3
2012 292 33.4 8.7 85.6
2013 386 36.3 10.6 79.8
2014 461 34.0 13.5 74.2
2015 558 36.0 15.5 66.3
2016 574 40.0 14.3 72.3
2017 606 39.0 15.5 62.5
2018 627 40.0 15.6 65.9
2019 619 41.0 15.0 55.6
2020 666 43.0 15.4 58.9
2021 691 46.4 14.8 58
2022 670 46.0 14.5 69
2023 650 37.8 17.1 60.5

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 Western Middle School for the Arts

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 873 56.1 15.5 n/a
1989 898 59.5 15.0 n/a
1990 864 54.4 15.8 n/a
1991 820 54.7 14.9 n/a
1992 845 58.1 14.5 n/a
1993 869 55.3 15.7 n/a
1994 876 52.8 16.6 n/a
1995 810 51.8 15.6 n/a
1996 810 51.8 15.6 n/a
1997 774 53.0 14.6 80.9
1998 825 48.7 16.9 71.5
1999 753 47.3 15.9 79.1
2000 748 48.0 15.6 85.3
2001 869 50.2 17.3 81.5
2002 768 47.0 16.3 99.6
2003 768 47.0 16.3 99.6
2004 702 52.2 13.4 n/a
2005 629 51.0 12.3 n/a
2006 542 47.0 11.5 99.4
2007 496 36.0 13.8 102.6
2008 466 35.0 13.3 101.8
2009 486 35.0 13.9 100.4
2010 456 26.0 17.5 99.8
2011 349 35.3 9.8 96.3
2012 292 33.4 8.7 85.6
2013 386 36.3 10.6 79.8
2014 461 34.0 13.5 74.2
2015 558 36.0 15.5 66.3
2016 574 40.0 14.3 72.3
2017 606 39.0 15.5 62.5
2018 627 40.0 15.6 65.9
2019 619 41.0 15.0 55.6
2020 666 43.0 15.4 58.9
2021 691 46.4 14.8 58
2022 670 46.0 14.5 69
2023 650 37.8 17.1 60.5

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 Western Middle School for the Arts

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YearPersonnel Expenditures from Federal FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from Federal FundsTotal Expenditures from Federal FundsPersonnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $793 (4.9%) $705 (4.3%) $1,498 (9.2%) $11,886 (73.0%) $1,484 (9.1%) $13,370 (82.1%) $16,278
2019 $770 (4.9%) $664 (4.2%) $1,434 (9.1%) $12,072 (76.9%) $1,379 (8.8%) $13,451 (85.7%) $15,703
2020 $784 (5.2%) $346 (2.3%) $1,130 (7.5%) $11,932 (79.0%) $1,225 (8.1%) $13,157 (87.1%) $15,101
2021 $1,027 (6.2%) $637 (3.9%) $1,664 (10.1%) $13,064 (79.0%) $1,188 (7.2%) $14,252 (86.2%) $16,537
2022 $2,099 (7.0%) $1,160 (3.9%) $3,259 (10.8%) $12,336 (41.1%) $1,419 (4.7%) $13,755 (45.8%) $30,049

Data source: Kentucky Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Western Middle School for the Arts

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 240th of 335 Middle schoolsRanks 232nd of 327 Middle schools
 0.7%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students619650
 5%
African American369359
 2.7%
American Indian00
Asian118
 27.3%
Hispanic6470
 9.4%
Pacific Islander30
 100%
White145168
 15.9%
Two or More Races2745
 66.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients55.6%60.5%
 4.9%


Schools Near Western Middle School for the Arts









Frequently Asked Questions about Western Middle School for the Arts

Students at Western Middle School for the Arts are 55% African American, 26% White, 11% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 650 students attended Western Middle School for the Arts.

Western Middle School for the Arts ranks in the bottom 22.5% of Kentucky middle schools.

Students who attend Western Middle School for the Arts usually go on to attend Seneca High


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





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