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Average

#1206 of 1,850 schools in VA

Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle

Middle School · Newport News City Public Schools

1 Minton Dr, Newport News, VA 23606

Enrollment

1,097

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

5.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Newport News

#20 of 39

public schools

Virginia middle schools

#258 of 340

In district

#21 of 40

Newport News City Public Schools

Equity

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle

Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle serves 1,097 students in grades 6 through 8 in Newport News, Virginia. With 72 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1, providing reasonably sized classes for middle school learners.

The school currently ranks #1268 out of 1856 schools statewide, placing it in the 32nd percentile among Virginia middle schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10. This indicates the school has significant room for academic growth as it works to better serve its large student population during these critical middle school years. Located at 1 Minton Drive, Gildersleeve Middle sits in the 23606 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $67,943 and the median home value reaches $287,300.

The surrounding community shows educational engagement, with 40% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 13.3% among the area's nearly 30,000 residents. As a regular public middle school in this mid-size city, Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle serves families in an established Newport News neighborhood with diverse economic backgrounds and a solid foundation of community support.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.6Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency99%
Reading/ELA Proficiency59%
Math vs. State Avg+23.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.7 pts
Overall Proficiency79%
Expected (poverty-adj.)68%
vs. Expected+11.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
Resources & Environment5.8Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,195

Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle — Students at Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 60.2%
School
State
66.4%
ELA Proficiency 60.3%
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
74%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
58%
2025
Math
60%
ELA
59.3%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle Compares

See how Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
35th percentile in VA
Academic
7.6/10
7.6/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
5.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
72 teachers

Location

1 Minton Dr, Newport News, VA 23606

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. PENINSULA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Homer L. Hines Middle (rated 7.5/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Deer Park Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newport News, see our Newport News schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Hidenwood Elementary Newport News 0.7 mi 7.1
Riverside Elementary Newport News 1.2 mi 2.9
Richard T. Yates Elementary Newport News 1.2 mi 5.0
HAMPTON ROADS INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Newport News 1.4 mi 5.7
Deer Park Elementary Newport News 1.4 mi 7.4
Warwick High Newport News 1.9 mi 7.3
OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL Newport News 2.1 mi 6.2
EAST END ACADEMY Newport News 2.1 mi 6.0
DENBIGH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newport News 2.4 mi 6.8
L.F. Palmer Elementary Newport News 2.5 mi 3.9
Menchville High Newport News 2.3 mi 6.3
HAMPTON ROADS ACADEMY Newport News 2.5 mi 5.9
B.C. Charles Elementary Newport News 2.4 mi 6.4
Willis A. Jenkins Elementary Newport News 2.7 mi 3.5
Watkins Early Childhood Center Newport News 2.3 mi 6.3
PENINSULA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Newport News 2.5 mi 7.9
Homer L. Hines Middle Newport News 2.8 mi 7.5
Joseph H. Saunders Elementary Newport News 2.7 mi 4.7
Kiln Creek Elementary Newport News 3.5 mi 5.6
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DENBIGH CHILD DEVT CENTER AND Newport News 3.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23606 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,921

Median Home Value

$296,900

Median Rent

$1,327/mo

Population

29,899

College Educated

38.5%

Homeownership

47.1%

Avg Commute

19.8 min

Poverty Rate

13.3%

Median Age

32.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle has a median household income of $69,921. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $296,900, with a median rent of $1,327/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Andrew G. Wright Middle Stafford, VA 5.8
King George Middle King George, VA 5.8
Rippon Middle Woodbridge, VA 5.8
Brandon Middle Virginia Beach, VA 5.7
J.E.J. Moore Middle Disputanta, VA 5.7
Key Middle Springfield, VA 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle

What grades does Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle serve?

Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle?

Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,097 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle rank in VA?

Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle is ranked #1206 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle has 60.2% math proficiency and 60.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle a charter school?

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

Is Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle a Title I school?

No, Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle?

96.1% of students at Ethel M. Gildersleeve 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
34 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,173/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,097
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
72
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Newport News city
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Newport News City Public Schools
District Enrollment
26,183
Schools in District
43
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,082
District Rank
#21 of 40

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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