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Excellent

#38 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 2% in state

Central Academy Middle

Middle School · Botetourt County Public Schools

367 Poor Farm Rd, Fincastle, VA 24090

Enrollment

362

Student-Teacher

11.7:1

Score

8.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fincastle

#1 of 2

public schools

Virginia middle schools

#9 of 340

In district

#1 of 11

Botetourt County Public Schools

Academic performance

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Central Academy Middle

Central Academy Middle is a public middle school in Fincastle, VA, part of the Botetourt County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 362 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.9/10, placing it in the 98th percentile among VA schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 90% proficiency in math, 24 points above the state average and 85% in reading/language arts, 11 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $88,125, where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Central Academy Middle 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 Progress9.1Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.66 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.4Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency100%
Reading/ELA Proficiency86%
Math vs. State Avg+24.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.3 pts
Overall Proficiency93%
Expected (poverty-adj.)82%
vs. Expected+11.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,046

Central Academy Middle — Students at Central Academy Middle score 93% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 82%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 90.0%
School
State
66.4%
ELA Proficiency 84.8%
School
State
73.8%

Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
92%
ELA
81%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
83%
2025
Math
92.8%
ELA
86.3%

* 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: 9.1/10.

How Central Academy Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
8.9/10
98th percentile in VA
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

Location

367 Poor Farm Rd, Fincastle, VA 24090

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Academy Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Bonsack Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Roanoke), with a very similar rating. Another option is Troutville Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Troutville), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Colonial Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Troutville), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Fincastle, see our Fincastle schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Breckinridge Elementary Fincastle 0.6 mi 7.7
Troutville Elementary Troutville 4.6 mi 8.6
Greenfield Elementary Troutville 6.5 mi 6.1
Lord Botetourt High Daleville 7.6 mi 7.1
James River High Buchanan 8.0 mi 5.7
Cloverdale Elementary Cloverdale 10.2 mi 7.0
Colonial Elementary Troutville 10.5 mi 8.4
Read Mountain Middle Cloverdale 10.6 mi 7.3
Eagle Rock Elementary Eagle Rock 10.7 mi 6.0
Buchanan Elementary Buchanan 8.7 mi 6.2
COMMUNITY SCHOOL Roanoke 11.7 mi 6.6
Bonsack Elementary Roanoke 12.2 mi 8.7
Mountain View Elementary Roanoke 12.6 mi 6.3
Burlington Elementary Roanoke 12.5 mi 6.4
ROANOKE ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Roanoke 13.2 mi
EASTERN APPALACHIAN TEEN CHALLENGE Roanoke 12.7 mi
ROANOKE VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Roanoke 12.9 mi 5.5
MINNICK SCHOOLS Roanoke 13.0 mi 6.0
Monterey Elementary Roanoke 13.6 mi 3.4
Montvale Elementary Montvale 12.4 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24090 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$88,125

Median Home Value

$267,100

Median Rent

$887/mo

Population

4,612

College Educated

22.7%

Homeownership

87.4%

Avg Commute

29.1 min

Poverty Rate

12.7%

Median Age

48.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central Academy Middle has a median household income of $88,125. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $267,100, with a median rent of $887/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Luray Middle Luray, VA 8.9
Nelson Middle Lovingston, VA 8.9
Peter Muhlenberg Middle Woodstock, VA 9.1
Chatham Middle Chatham, VA 8.7
Gretna Middle Gretna, VA 8.7
Page County Middle Shenandoah, VA 8.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Academy Middle

What grades does Central Academy Middle serve?

Central Academy Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Central Academy Middle?

Central Academy Middle has an enrollment of approximately 362 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Academy Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Academy Middle is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Academy Middle rank in VA?

Central Academy Middle is ranked #38 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Central Academy Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Academy Middle has a composite rating of 8.9 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 Central Academy Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Academy Middle has 90.0% math proficiency and 84.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Central Academy Middle a charter school?

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

Is Central Academy Middle a Title I school?

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

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

40.3% of students at Central Academy 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
15 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (782/100K)

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
362
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Botetourt County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Botetourt County Public Schools
District Enrollment
4,488
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,903
District Rank
#1 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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