- Enrollment
- 2,007
- Students per teacher
- 16.9:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
Middle school (grades 6-8) · Columbia, MO
West Middle School
Federal NCES profile for West Middle School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 47/100.
2024-25 NCES dataMiddle school (grades 6-8)NCES 290100000317
👥 S:T ratio 45
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 56
📋 Attendance 19
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
West Middle School earns 47/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Missouri median. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Missouri schools.
- #5 of 7
- middle schools in Columbia · Resource Index
- 47
- Resource Index · Typical
- 13.8:1
- students per teacher
- 48.8%
- free-lunch eligible
West Middle School has class sizes near the Missouri median. Computed live against every Missouri school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, West Middle School ranks #5 of 7 middle schools in Columbia, MO.
School address
District: Columbia 93 · Missouri
NCES ID 290100000317 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+21 students YoY
West Middle School held near 525 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+21 headcount).
Teacher FTE added 40.6 → 49.4 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+21 students YoY 290100000317 · Columbia, MO Middle · MID · TRAD
553 enr · 13.8:1 · 48.8% lunch · RII 47
Nearest enrollment peer: David H. Hickman High (2,007 students)
West Middle School held near 525 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+21 headcount). Teacher FTE added 40.6 → 49.4 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Missouri schools → · Find another →
West Middle School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- David H. Hickm
David H. Hickman High
2,007 students
- Rock Bridge Sr
Rock Bridge Sr. High
1,997 students
- Muriel W. Batt
Muriel W. Battle High School
1,492 students
- Ann Hawkins Ge 736
Ann Hawkins Gentry Middle
736 students
- Beulah Ralph E 656
Beulah Ralph Elementary
656 students
- This school 553
West Middle School
553 students
What this shows West Middle School reports 553 students on the CCD universe file.
How West Middle School compares
West Middle School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Missouri and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Missouri | Missouri avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 13.8:1 | ▲ 8% | 12.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 48.8% | ▲ 6% | 46.1% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 553 | top 18% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
13.8:1
Leaner classes than 59% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
553
Bigger than 68% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
48.8%
free-lunch eligible
- 6% above the Missouri average of 46.1%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
13.8:1
students per teacher
- 8% above state mean
Top 67% in Missouri - lower ratio than 33% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
32.5%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$13,936
per pupil, district-wide
- below Missouri avg of $14,087
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors2.5 FTE
Per 221 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
79
in-school suspensions + 86 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 14.3 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 29.8 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 48.3%
African American 28.2%
Two or More 12.8%
Hispanic or Latino 7.2%
Asian 3.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.4%
Largest group: White at 48.3% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 66.5/100
Simpson diversity index - at 66.5, West Middle School is more mixed than the Missouri school average of 31.0.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Columbia 93 reports $13,936 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How West Middle School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| David H. Hickman High | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Rock Bridge Sr. High | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Muriel W. Battle High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Ann Hawkins Gentry Middle | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Beulah Ralph Elementary | Similar size | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to West Middle School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,997
- Students per teacher
- 18.5:1
- Resource Index
- 51/100
- Enrollment
- 1,492
- Students per teacher
- 14.9:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
- Enrollment
- 736
- Students per teacher
- 14.4:1
- Resource Index
- 51/100
- Enrollment
- 656
- Students per teacher
- 14.6:1
- Resource Index
- 52/100
Nationwide middle 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 (~553 students)
Frequently asked questions about West Middle School
How many students attend West Middle School?
West Middle School has 553 students enrolled. It is a middle school in Columbia, MO. CCD year-over-year: 504 (2022-23) → 525 (2023-24), nearly flat (+21).
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at West Middle School is 13.8:1, which is 8% higher than the Missouri average of 12.8:1 and 12% lower than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at West Middle School?
48.8% of students at West Middle School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Missouri average of 46.1%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of West Middle School?
The largest demographic group at West Middle School is White at 48.3% of enrollment, in Columbia, MO. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 66.5/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for West Middle School?
West Middle School has a Resource Investment Index of 47/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does West Middle School rank among middle schools in Columbia?
By Resource Investment Index, West Middle School ranks #5 of 7 middle schools in Columbia, MO. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all middle schools in Columbia on the city page.
What other schools are in Columbia 93?
Besides West Middle School, Columbia 93 also operates David H. Hickman High (2,007 students), Rock Bridge Sr. High (1,997 students), and Muriel W. Battle High School (1,492 students). See the Columbia 93 district page for the complete list.