Needs Improvement
#1688 of 1,850 schools in VA
Buford Middle
Middle School · Charlottesville City Public Schools
1000 Cherry Avenue, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Enrollment
559
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
3.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
559
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
3.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Charlottesville
#20 of 25
public schools
Virginia middle schools
#329 of 340
In district
#6 of 9
Charlottesville City Public Schools
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Buford Middle
Buford Middle serves 559 students in grades 7-8 in Charlottesville, Virginia, earning a strong 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school ranks impressively at #56 out of 1,856 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 97th percentile among Virginia's middle schools. With 53 full-time equivalent teachers, Buford Middle maintains an excellent 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention than many larger schools.
Located on Cherry Avenue in Charlottesville's 22903 ZIP code, the school draws from a diverse community where 65% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting the area's educational focus. The neighborhood shows economic diversity, with a median household income of $66,344 and median home values around $493,800, though nearly 27% of residents experience poverty, suggesting the school serves families across various economic backgrounds. Buford Middle's high state ranking indicates strong academic performance and effective teaching practices, making it an attractive option for families seeking quality middle school education.
The school operates in Charlottesville's small city environment, offering students the benefits of urban resources while maintaining a more intimate community feel than larger metropolitan areas.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Buford Middle — Students at Buford Middle score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
79.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from VA 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: 1.3/10.
How Buford Middle Compares
See how Buford Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 38% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 59% (2021).
Location
1000 Cherry Avenue, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Buford Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Walker Upper Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jackson P. Burley Middle (rated 5.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, VILLAGE SCHOOL (rated 5.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Charlottesville, see our Charlottesville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Johnson Elementary Charlottesville | 0.6 mi | 3.7 |
| Venable Elementary Charlottesville | 0.9 mi | 3.7 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CHARLOTTESVILLE Charlottesville | 1.0 mi | — |
| Jackson-Via Elementary Charlottesville | 0.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Jackson P. Burley Middle Charlottesville | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| VILLAGE SCHOOL Charlottesville | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| RENAISSANCE SCHOOL Charlottesville | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Community Lab School Charlottesville | 1.3 mi | 9.2 |
| THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF CHARLOTTESVILLE Charlottesville | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Clark Elementary Charlottesville | 1.2 mi | 2.9 |
| PEABODY SCHOOL Charlottesville | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| CENTER FOR ADOLESCENT AND ADULT AUTISM SERVICES Charlottesville | 1.5 mi | — |
| ST ANNE'S-BELFIELD SCHOOL Charlottesville | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| CHARLOTTESVILLE DAY SCHOOL Charlottesville | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| FIRST BAPTIST PRESCHOOL Charlottesville | 1.5 mi | — |
| Monticello High Charlottesville | 1.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Mountain View Elementary Charlottesville | 2.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Walker Upper Elementary Charlottesville | 2.0 mi | 7.1 |
| TANDEM FRIENDS SCHOOL Charlottesville | 2.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Charlottesville High Charlottesville | 2.1 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 22903 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,352
Median Home Value
$510,500
Median Rent
$1,479/mo
Population
39,925
College Educated
65.1%
Homeownership
41.1%
Avg Commute
18.1 min
Poverty Rate
25.3%
Median Age
28.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Buford Middle has a median household income of $64,352. It is a well-educated community where 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $510,500, with a median rent of $1,479/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Daniel Morgan Intermediate Winchester, VA | 3.6 |
| Beverley Manor Middle Staunton, VA | 3.4 |
| Southampton Middle Courtland, VA | 4.4 |
| John Rolfe Middle Richmond, VA | 4.5 |
| Woodrow Wilson Middle Roanoke, VA | 4.5 |
| Breckinridge Middle Roanoke, VA | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Buford Middle
What grades does Buford Middle serve?
Buford Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Buford Middle?
Buford Middle has an enrollment of approximately 559 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Buford Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Buford Middle is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Buford Middle rank in VA?
Buford Middle is ranked #1688 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Buford Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Buford Middle has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Buford Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buford Middle has 53.5% math proficiency and 64.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Buford Middle a charter school?
No, Buford Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Buford Middle a Title I school?
No, Buford Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buford Middle?
79.8% of students at Buford Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,555/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Charlottesville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 559
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 79.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Charlottesville city
- Phone
- (434) 245-2411
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charlottesville City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,433
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,953
- District Rank
- #6 of 9
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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