Middle Schools in West Central Area

The West Central Area of Minnesota is home to a single middle school, WCA Middle School, which serves students in grades 5-8. With an enrollment of 220 students, the school has a racial makeup that is predominantly white (89.55%), with smaller populations of Hispanic (5%) and multiracial (4.09%) students. Nearly half (49.09%) of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a relatively high level of economic disadvantage.

Academically, WCA Middle School's performance on the MCA-III standardized tests is generally below the statewide averages in math (40.09% proficient or better vs. 45.47% statewide), reading (48.67% vs. 49.85%), and science (31.09% vs. 39.56%). However, the school has seen a significant decline in its statewide ranking, dropping from 59th out of 520 Minnesota middle schools in 2021-2022 to 212th out of 545 in 2023-2024. This suggests the school may be struggling to maintain its academic performance compared to other middle schools in the state.

Despite these challenges, the school's 6th grade math proficiency rate is higher than the state average, indicating a potential bright spot in the curriculum. Additionally, the school's racial diversity, while limited, provides an opportunity to explore how the school can better support the learning needs of its diverse student population. By analyzing the performance of specific grade levels and subject areas, the school can identify targeted interventions and support to help improve student learning outcomes and address the areas of concern highlighted by the data.