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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

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 metrics
Student Progress2.4Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-7.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency28%
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-13.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment6.7Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,350

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 16.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 33.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
41%
ELA
35%
2021*
Math
0.5%
ELA
36%
2022
Math
7%
ELA
28%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.0/10
6th percentile in AL
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
2.4/10
Below average
Environment
6.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Dallas County
District Enrollment
2,331
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,801
District Rank
#11 of 11

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 methodology

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