- Enrollment
- 806
- Students per teacher
- 16.8:1
- Resource Index
- 37/100
High school (grades 9-12) · Newton, IA
West Academy Alternative School
Federal NCES profile for West Academy Alternative School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 68/100.
2024-25 NCES dataHigh school (grades 9-12)NCES 192061002052
👥 S:T ratio 66
🌟 Gifted program 70
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
West Academy Alternative School earns 68/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes smaller than 98% of Iowa schools. It is also one of the smallest schools in Iowa.
- #1 of 7
- public schools in Newton · Resource Index
- 68
- Resource Index · Higher
- 8.5:1
- small classes for Iowa
- 63.9%
- free-lunch eligible
West Academy Alternative School has class sizes smaller than 98% of Iowa schools. Computed live against every Iowa school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, West Academy Alternative School ranks #1 of 7 public schools in Newton, IA.
School address
District: Newton Comm School District · Iowa
NCES ID 192061002052 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+4 students YoY
West Academy Alternative School grew from 61 students in 2022-23 to 65 in 2023-24 (+6.6%).
Teacher FTE lost 6.9 → 5.9 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+4 students YoY 192061002052 · Newton, IA High · SMALL · TRAD
51 enr · 8.5:1 · 63.9% lunch · RII 68
Nearest enrollment peer: Newton Senior High School (806 students)
West Academy Alternative School grew from 61 students in 2022-23 to 65 in 2023-24 (+6.6%). Teacher FTE lost 6.9 → 5.9 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Iowa schools → · Find another →
West Academy Alternative School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Newton Senior
Newton Senior High School
806 students
- Berg Middle Sc
Berg Middle School
790 students
- Thomas Jeffers
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
380 students
- Emerson Hough
Emerson Hough Elementary School
336 students
- Woodrow Wilson 306
Woodrow Wilson Elementary School
306 students
- This school 51
West Academy Alternative School
51 students
What this shows West Academy Alternative School reports 51 students on the CCD universe file.
How West Academy Alternative School compares
West Academy Alternative School is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Iowa and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Iowa | Iowa avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 8.5:1 | ▼ 43% | 14.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 63.9% | ▲ 76% | 36.4% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 51 | top 97% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
8.5:1
Leaner classes than 94% of US schools, among the more generously staffed nationally.
51
Bigger than 6% of US schools by enrollment, a small campus.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
63.9%
free-lunch eligible
- 76% above the Iowa average of 36.4%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
8.5:1
students per teacher
- 43% below state mean
Top 2% in Iowa - lower ratio than 98% of state schools
Well under the widely cited 15:1 individualized-attention benchmark, among the leaner class loads nationally.
Funding equity
$14,130
per pupil, district-wide
- above Iowa avg of $13,441
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 8 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 15.7 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection. Includes 1 expulsion.
Student demographics
White 82.4%
Hispanic or Latino 9.8%
Two or More 5.9%
African American 2.0%
Largest group: White at 82.4% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 30.8/100
Simpson diversity index - at 30.8, West Academy Alternative School is less mixed than the Iowa school average of 33.8.
Programs
AP program Not offered
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Newton Comm School District reports $14,130 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How West Academy Alternative School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newton Senior High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Berg Middle School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Thomas Jefferson Elementary School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Emerson Hough Elementary School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Woodrow Wilson Elementary School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to West Academy Alternative School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 790
- Students per teacher
- 13.2:1
- Resource Index
- 35/100
- Enrollment
- 380
- Students per teacher
- 15.2:1
- Resource Index
- 38/100
- Enrollment
- 336
- Students per teacher
- 16.8:1
- Resource Index
- 36/100
- Enrollment
- 306
- Students per teacher
- 16.1:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
Similar high schools in Newton
1 comparable high schools (grades 9-12) serving the same city.
Nationwide high schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~51 students)
Frequently asked questions about West Academy Alternative School
How many students attend West Academy Alternative School?
West Academy Alternative School has 51 students enrolled. It is a high school in Newton, IA. CCD year-over-year: 61 (2022-23) → 65 (2023-24), up 4.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Academy Alternative School?
The student-teacher ratio at West Academy Alternative School is 8.5:1, which is 43% lower than the Iowa average of 14.8:1 and 46% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at West Academy Alternative School?
63.9% of students at West Academy Alternative School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Iowa average of 36.4%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of West Academy Alternative School?
The largest demographic group at West Academy Alternative School is White at 82.4% of enrollment, in Newton, IA.
What is the Resource Investment Index for West Academy Alternative School?
West Academy Alternative School has a Resource Investment Index of 68/100 (higher reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 2 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology). Limited indicators were available, so the index reflects partial data.
How does West Academy Alternative School rank among public schools in Newton?
By Resource Investment Index, West Academy Alternative School ranks #1 of 7 public schools in Newton, IA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all public schools in Newton on the city page.
What other schools are in Newton Comm School District?
Besides West Academy Alternative School, Newton Comm School District also operates Newton Senior High School (806 students), Berg Middle School (790 students), and Thomas Jefferson Elementary School (380 students). See the Newton Comm School District district page for the complete list.