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Below Average

#4362 of 4,739 schools in NY

Valley Central Middle School

Middle School · VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT (MONTGOMERY)

1189 STATE RT 17K, Montgomery, NY 12549

Enrollment

952

Student-Teacher

9.8:1

Score

4.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Montgomery

#3 of 4

public schools

New York middle schools

#715 of 785

In district

#5 of 6

VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT (MONTGOMERY)

About Valley Central Middle School

Valley Central Middle School serves 952 students in grades 6-8 in Montgomery, New York, offering a substantial middle school experience in Orange County. With 97 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 9.8:1 student-teacher ratio, providing opportunities for more individualized attention in the classroom. Academically, the school has room for growth, with 41% of students performing at proficient levels or above in English Language Arts and 25% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

These results place Valley Central Middle School at #3693 among New York's 4758 ranked schools, indicating the school is focusing on student development and working to strengthen academic outcomes across all grade levels. The school draws from a well-established community where the median household income is $112,850 and home values average $356,000. About one-third of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate is relatively low at 7.5%, reflecting the economic stability of the surrounding neighborhood.

Valley Central Middle School is situated in Montgomery, a town on the fringe of an urban area, giving students access to both suburban community feel and proximity to broader metropolitan resources and opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, Valley Central Middle School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.1Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-6.88 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Math vs. State Avg-11.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.8 pts
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)61%
vs. Expected-26.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment6.8Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,326

Valley Central Middle School — Students at Valley Central Middle School score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 30.6%
School
State
33.6%
ELA Proficiency 41.4%
School
State
57.2%

Based on 10 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
51%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
25.5%
ELA
41%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How Valley Central Middle School Compares

See how Valley Central Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
8th percentile in NY
Academic
3.6/10
3.6/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
6.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
97 teachers

Location

1189 STATE RT 17K, Montgomery, NY 12549

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Valley Central Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. JOHN G BORDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.3/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Wallkill), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WASHINGTONVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 4.8/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Washingtonville), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Montgomery, see our Montgomery schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.1 mi
School Distance Rating
VALLEY CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Montgomery 0.1 mi 6.1
MONTGOMERY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Montgomery 1.3 mi 3.5
BEREA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Montgomery 1.5 mi 6.8
WALDEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Walden 2.8 mi 5.8
MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD SCHOOL Walden 3.5 mi 5.7
CHAPEL FIELD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pine Bush 5.5 mi 6.6
JOHN G BORDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL Wallkill 5.9 mi 5.3
BIRCH SCHOOL Rock Tavern 5.4 mi 5.7
OSTRANDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wallkill 6.2 mi 7.5
EAST COLDENHAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Newburgh 5.0 mi 5.0
WALLKILL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Wallkill 6.5 mi 6.8
TAFT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Washingtonville 6.8 mi 6.4
WASHINGTONVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Washingtonville 7.2 mi 4.8
WASHINGTONVILLE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Washingtonville 7.3 mi 5.7
OVER THE MOON Pine Bush 6.8 mi
ENGLISH ROSE DAY SCHOOL Washingtonville 7.4 mi
E J RUSSELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pine Bush 7.1 mi 3.6
LITTLE BRITAIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL New Windsor 6.4 mi 4.8
PINE BUSH SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Pine Bush 7.1 mi 4.8
PINE BUSH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pine Bush 7.1 mi 2.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 12549 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$125,000

Median Home Value

$377,300

Median Rent

$1,606/mo

Population

10,896

College Educated

34.7%

Homeownership

80.2%

Avg Commute

32.1 min

Poverty Rate

6.3%

Median Age

39.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Valley Central Middle School has a median household income of $125,000. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $377,300, with a median rent of $1,606/month. The local poverty rate of 6.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
A M COSGROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL Spencerport, NY 4.2
CANANDAIGUA MIDDLE SCHOOL Canandaigua, NY 4.2
CRISPELL MIDDLE SCHOOL Pine Bush, NY 4.2
CHURCHVILLE-CHILI MIDDLE SCHOOL Churchville, NY 4.3
DONALD S RAY SCHOOL Baldwinsville, NY 4.3
GLENS FALLS MIDDLE SCHOOL Glens Falls, NY 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Valley Central Middle School

What grades does Valley Central Middle School serve?

Valley Central Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Valley Central Middle School?

Valley Central Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 952 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley Central Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Valley Central Middle School is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Valley Central Middle School rank in NY?

Valley Central Middle School is ranked #4362 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is Valley Central Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Valley Central Middle School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Valley Central Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Valley Central Middle School has 30.6% math proficiency and 41.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Valley Central Middle School a charter school?

No, Valley Central Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Valley Central Middle School a Title I school?

No, Valley Central Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Valley Central Middle School?

42.0% of students at Valley Central 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

Walk Score
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (4/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
952
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
97
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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