Average
#1127 of 1,850 schools in VA
Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle
Middle School · Stafford County Public Schools
503 Deacon Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22405
Enrollment
877
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
877
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fredericksburg
#10 of 26
public schools
Virginia middle schools
#240 of 340
In district
#14 of 32
Stafford County Public Schools
Academic performance
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle
Donald B. Dixon-Lyle R. Smith Middle serves 877 students in grades 6 through 8 in Fredericksburg, Virginia, within the Stafford County school district.
With 59 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1, providing reasonable class sizes for middle school learners navigating this crucial developmental stage. The school currently ranks #1235 out of 1856 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 34th percentile among Virginia schools, with room for academic growth. As a regular public middle school, Dixon-Lyle R.
Smith focuses on serving the diverse needs of early adolescent learners during their transition from elementary to high school. The school draws from an economically stable community where the median household income reaches $123,923 and median home values sit at $386,200. The surrounding area reflects a well-educated population, with 45% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 5.2%.
This suggests strong community resources and family support for education. Located on Deacon Road in this mid-size suburban setting, Donald B. Dixon-Lyle R.
Smith Middle operates within a thriving ZIP code of nearly 36,000 residents, positioning it at the heart of an engaged Fredericksburg-area community that values educational investment.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle — Students at Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle score 86% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 83%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 11 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: 5.7/10.
How Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle Compares
See how Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 87% (2019) to 98% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 79% (2019) to 75% (2025).
Location
503 Deacon Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22405
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Walker-Grant Middle (rated 7.7/10, 5.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Edward E. Drew Jr. Middle (rated 7.6/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Falmouth), which scores notably higher. Additionally, T. Benton Gayle Middle (rated 7.1/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fredericksburg, see our Fredericksburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 22405 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$128,315
Median Home Value
$413,100
Median Rent
$1,931/mo
Population
36,093
College Educated
44%
Homeownership
85.8%
Avg Commute
37 min
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Median Age
37.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle has a median household income of $128,315. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $413,100, with a median rent of $1,931/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| L. Douglas Wilder Middle Richmond, VA | 6.0 |
| Mayfield Intermediate Manassas, VA | 6.0 |
| Northside Middle Norfolk, VA | 6.0 |
| Thomas Harrison Middle Harrisonburg, VA | 6.0 |
| Thornburg Middle Spotsylvania, VA | 6.0 |
| William Monroe Middle Stanardsville, VA | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle
What grades does Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle serve?
Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle?
Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle has an enrollment of approximately 877 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle rank in VA?
Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle is ranked #1127 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle has 71.8% math proficiency and 75.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle a charter school?
No, Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle a Title I school?
No, Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith Middle?
36.7% of students at Donald B. Dixon-lyle R. Smith 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 (3,681/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fredericksburg). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 877
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 59
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Stafford County
- Phone
- (540) 899-0860
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Stafford County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 31,547
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,431
- District Rank
- #14 of 32
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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