West Iron County Middle High School

West Iron County Middle High School in Iron River, MI, serves 407 students in grades 6-12 as the sole secondary school for the West Iron County Public Schools district, a rural district with no other schools within 20 miles.

This school tells a remarkable story of improvement. Over the past five years, it has climbed from the 22nd percentile statewide to the 73rd percentile, earning a 4-star rating. What truly sets it apart is its exceptional success with students from low socio-economic backgrounds—a subgroup that ranks in the 87th percentile, outperforming the school's overall ranking despite over 55% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. The school also boasts a 94.6% graduation rate (well above the state's 84%) and a 0.0% dropout rate. Upper-grade students shine in Science and Social Studies, with 11th-grade proficiency rates significantly outpacing state averages, and SAT Reading & Writing scores consistently exceed state benchmarks.

However, the picture is not uniformly bright. Middle school ELA and math proficiency rates are volatile and often below state averages, and there was a notable gender gap in 2024-2025, with female students ranking in the 86th percentile versus males in the 33rd. Chronic absenteeism remains a persistent challenge at 29.3%, still above the state average. On a positive note, the district has increased per-student spending to $15,003 and reduced the student-to-teacher ratio to 15.9, investments that likely support the school's upward trajectory. For parents, this is a school that clearly works hard for its most vulnerable students and delivers strong high school outcomes, though middle-grade consistency and attendance are areas to watch.