Below Average
#1283 of 1,356 schools in AL
William R Martin Middle School
Middle School · Dallas County
2863 County Road 81, Valley Grande, AL 36703
Enrollment
196
Student-Teacher
19.6:1
Score
4.0
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
196
Student-Teacher
19.6:1
Score
4.0
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Valley Grande
#2 of 2
public schools
Alabama middle schools
#248 of 262
In district
#11 of 11
Dallas County
About William R Martin Middle School
William R Martin Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural community of Valley Grande, Alabama, within Dallas County. The school serves students in grades 7 and 8 with a total enrollment of 196 students. The student-teacher ratio is 19.6:1, and there are 10 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing education to the students.
The academic performance of William R Martin Middle School is currently rated at 3.3 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it at the 11th percentile among Alabama schools. In terms of subject proficiency, 28% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts, and 7% are proficient or above in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and academic growth.
The surrounding neighborhood, characterized by a median household income of $28,337 and a median home value of $61,300, reflects a community where 32.6% of the population lives below the poverty line. About 10% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher. William R Martin Middle School is situated in a rural setting that is part of the larger Valley Grande community.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 196 students, William R Martin Middle School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, William R Martin Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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William R Martin Middle School — Students at William R Martin Middle School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
71.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.4/10.
How William R Martin Middle School Compares
See how William R Martin Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 7% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 28% (2022).
Location
2863 County Road 81, Valley Grande, AL 36703
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering William R Martin Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. The RBHudson STEAM Academy (rated 7.8/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Selma), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tipton Durant Middle School (rated 4.0/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Selma), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Valley Grande, see our Valley Grande schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Valley Grande Elementary School Valley Grande | 0.1 mi | 5.6 |
| MCRAE LEARNING CENTER Selma | 5.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Brantley Elementary School Selma | 5.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Selma High School Selma | 5.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Saints Virtual Academy Selma | 5.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Edgewood Elementary School Selma | 5.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Payne Elementary School Selma | 5.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Sophia P Kingston Elementary School Selma | 6.0 mi | 6.0 |
| The RBHudson STEAM Academy Selma | 6.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Clark Elementary School Selma | 6.3 mi | 7.2 |
| ELLWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Selma | 6.3 mi | 4.8 |
| MEADOWVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Selma | 7.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Meadowview Elementary School Selma | 8.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Tipton Durant Middle School Selma | 9.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Southside Primary School Selma | 9.2 mi | 9.2 |
| Bruce K Craig Elementary School Selma | 9.5 mi | 6.0 |
| JOHN T MORGAN ACADEMY Selma | 9.3 mi | 4.8 |
| JE Terry Elementary School Plantersville | 11.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Dallas County High School Plantersville | 11.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Southside High School Selma | 12.3 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 36703 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$30,096
Median Home Value
$74,400
Median Rent
$711/mo
Population
9,489
College Educated
10.4%
Homeownership
54.4%
Poverty Rate
27.3%
Median Age
50.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding William R Martin Middle School has a median household income of $30,096. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $74,400, with a median rent of $711/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Tipton Durant Middle School Selma, AL | 4.0 |
| Bridgeport Middle School Bridgeport, AL | 4.5 |
| Hale County Middle School Moundville, AL | 4.5 |
| Wilson Hall Middle School Grove Hill, AL | 4.6 |
| Samson Middle School Samson, AL | 4.8 |
| Sheffield Junior High School Sheffield, AL | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about William R Martin Middle School
What grades does William R Martin Middle School serve?
William R Martin Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend William R Martin Middle School?
William R Martin Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 196 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at William R Martin Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at William R Martin Middle School is 19.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does William R Martin Middle School rank in AL?
William R Martin Middle School is ranked #1283 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is William R Martin Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
William R Martin Middle School has a composite rating of 4.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at William R Martin Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, William R Martin Middle School has 16.2% math proficiency and 33.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is William R Martin Middle School a charter school?
No, William R Martin Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is William R Martin Middle School a Title I school?
No, William R Martin Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for William R Martin Middle School?
71.9% of students at William R Martin Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,066/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 196
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 71.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Dallas County
- Phone
- (334) 872-6417
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Dallas County- District Enrollment
- 2,331
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,801
- District Rank
- #11 of 11
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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