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#967 of 1,850 schools in VA

Damascus Middle

Middle School · Washington County Public Schools

32101 Government Rd, Damascus, VA 24236

Enrollment

162

Student-Teacher

8.5:1

Score

6.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Damascus

#2 of 2

public schools

Virginia middle schools

#203 of 340

In district

#11 of 15

Washington County Public Schools

Equity

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Damascus Middle

Damascus Middle serves 162 students in grades 6 through 8 in the small rural community of Damascus, Virginia. With 19 full-time teachers, the school maintains an impressive 8.5:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention than typically found in larger districts. The school has earned a solid 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #321 out of 1,856 Virginia middle schools, placing it in the 83rd percentile statewide.

This strong performance demonstrates the school's commitment to providing quality education despite serving a community where economic challenges exist. Damascus Middle operates within Washington County's rural landscape, where the median household income is $33,185 and about 19% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The community shows resilience, with a poverty rate of 19.2% and median home values around $150,700.

The school's smaller size and excellent student-teacher ratio create an environment where educators can build meaningful relationships with students and families. Located on Government Road, Damascus Middle sits in the heart of rural Virginia, where the close-knit community values education and supports its local schools in fostering student growth and development.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 162 students, Damascus Middle 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.5:1, Damascus Middle 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.

Located in a rural area, Damascus 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 Progress3.5Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.86 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.7Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency100%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74%
Math vs. State Avg+24.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.7 pts
Overall Proficiency87%
Expected (poverty-adj.)73%
vs. Expected+13.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,305

Damascus Middle — Students at Damascus Middle score 87% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 80.7%
School
State
66.4%
ELA Proficiency 77.3%
School
State
73.8%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
92%
ELA
88%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
82%
2025
Math
81.3%
ELA
73.5%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Damascus Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
48th percentile in VA
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
3.5/10
Below average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

32101 Government Rd, Damascus, VA 24236

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Damascus Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Chilhowie Middle (rated 8.6/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Chilhowie), which scores notably higher. Another option is E.B. Stanley Middle (rated 8.3/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Abingdon), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Glade Spring Middle (rated 7.0/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Glade Spring), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Damascus, see our Damascus schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Holston High Damascus 1.1 mi 8.2
Rhea Valley Elementary Meadowview 3.1 mi 5.9
Laurel Elementary Laurel Bloomery 5.8 mi 3.5
Meadowview Elementary Meadowview 8.3 mi 7.2
MOUNTAIN YOUTH ACADEMY Mountain City 9.4 mi 6.7
Patrick Henry High Glade Spring 9.5 mi 7.7
Glade Spring Middle Glade Spring 9.6 mi 7.0
Watauga Elementary Abingdon 8.7 mi 7.4
Johnson Co High School Mountain City 11.1 mi 5.0
Johnson Co Middle School Mountain City 11.1 mi 4.2
Mountain City Elementary Mountain City 11.5 mi 3.4
Abingdon High Abingdon 10.0 mi 6.3
E.B. Stanley Middle Abingdon 10.2 mi 8.3
Chilhowie Middle Chilhowie 13.5 mi 8.6
Chilhowie High Chilhowie 13.8 mi 6.4
Roan Creek Elementary Mountain City 15.1 mi 4.2
EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Abingdon 12.6 mi 3.9
Chilhowie Elementary Chilhowie 14.3 mi 8.8
Abingdon Elementary Abingdon 12.8 mi 6.7
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Abingdon 13.0 mi 8.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24236 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$33,846

Median Home Value

$139,300

Median Rent

$728/mo

Population

3,023

College Educated

19.2%

Homeownership

73.5%

Avg Commute

27.9 min

Poverty Rate

17.2%

Median Age

53.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Damascus Middle has a median household income of $33,846. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $139,300, with a median rent of $728/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.2%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Shawsville Middle Shawsville, VA 6.3
Northwood Middle Saltville, VA 6.7
Elydale Middle Ewing, VA 6.1
Sussex Central Middle Stony Creek, VA 7.2
Rye Cove Intermediate Clinchport, VA 5.6
Lylburn Downing Middle Lexington, VA 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Damascus Middle

What grades does Damascus Middle serve?

Damascus Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Damascus Middle?

Damascus Middle has an enrollment of approximately 162 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Damascus Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Damascus Middle is 8.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Damascus Middle rank in VA?

Damascus Middle is ranked #967 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Damascus Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Damascus Middle has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Damascus Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Damascus Middle has 80.7% math proficiency and 77.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Damascus Middle a charter school?

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

Is Damascus Middle a Title I school?

No, Damascus Middle is not currently a Title I school.

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

74.7% of students at Damascus 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

City Safety
High (3,308/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Damascus). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
162
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Washington County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Washington County Public Schools
District Enrollment
6,705
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,125
District Rank
#11 of 15

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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