Skip to main content

Very Good

#533 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 29% in state

Gainesville Middle

Middle School · Prince William County Public Schools

8001 Limestone Dr, Gainesville, VA 20155

Enrollment

1,363

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

7.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Gainesville

#2 of 6

public schools

Virginia middle schools

#117 of 340

In district

#20 of 94

Prince William County Public Schools

Academic performance

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Gainesville Middle

Gainesville Middle serves 1,363 students in grades 6-8 in Gainesville, Virginia, within Prince William County. With 86 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1, providing reasonable class sizes for middle school learners navigating this crucial transitional period. The school currently ranks #1,475 out of 1,856 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 21st percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10.

While these metrics indicate room for academic growth, the school serves a diverse student body in a community with strong educational values and resources that can support student development. Gainesville Middle is situated in the 20155 ZIP code area, a prosperous suburban community where the median household income reaches $147,295 and median home values are $593,600. The neighborhood demonstrates a strong commitment to education, with 55% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains economic stability with just a 3.4% poverty rate.

Located on Limestone Drive in this large suburban setting, Gainesville Middle operates within a well-established community that values educational achievement and provides students with access to the resources and support systems typical of affluent suburban areas.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.08 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.0Exceptional35%
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.)86%
vs. Expected+6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,916

Gainesville Middle — Students at Gainesville Middle score 93% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 86%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 82.5%
School
State
66.4%
ELA Proficiency 85.2%
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
85%
2021*
Math
58%
ELA
84%
2025
Math
86.3%
ELA
85.5%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Gainesville Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
71th percentile in VA
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
86 teachers

Location

8001 Limestone Dr, Gainesville, VA 20155

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gainesville Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. E.H. Marsteller Middle (rated 7.3/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Bristow), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Bull Run Middle (rated 6.8/10, 2.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Gainesville, see our Gainesville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Gainesville High Gainesville 0.3 mi 4.1
Piney Branch Elementary Bristow 0.6 mi 6.9
WINWOOD CHILDRENS CENTER Gainesville 0.6 mi
Bristow Run Elementary Bristow 1.5 mi 6.0
Glenkirk Elementary Gainesville 1.4 mi 7.8
MONTESSORI OF GAINESVILLE - CASA DEI BAMBINI Gainesville 1.4 mi
Chris Yung Elementary Bristow 1.5 mi 4.5
BRISTOW MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bristow 2.0 mi
George G. Tyler Elementary Gainesville 2.1 mi 6.9
LAKE MANASSAS ACADEMY Gainesville 1.8 mi 7.7
Buckland Mills Elementary Gainesville 2.3 mi 4.7
Bull Run Middle Gainesville 2.9 mi 6.8
HAYMARKET BAPTIST CHURCH PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Haymarket 2.7 mi 2.3
E.H. Marsteller Middle Bristow 3.2 mi 7.3
Victory Elementary Bristow 3.1 mi 7.4
Cedar Point Elementary Bristow 3.7 mi 7.5
Haymarket Elementary Haymarket 3.3 mi 7.8
Patriot High Nokesville 4.0 mi 6.5
T. Clay Wood Elementary Nokesville 4.2 mi 7.1
Mountain View Elementary Haymarket 4.1 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20155 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$154,531

Median Home Value

$630,400

Median Rent

$2,648/mo

Population

37,516

College Educated

55.4%

Homeownership

85.2%

Avg Commute

34.7 min

Poverty Rate

3.4%

Median Age

40.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gainesville Middle has a median household income of $154,531. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $630,400, with a median rent of $2,648/month. The local poverty rate of 3.4% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 35 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
E.H. Marsteller Middle Bristow, VA 7.3
Great Bridge Middle Chesapeake, VA 7.3
J. Michael Lunsford Middle Chantilly, VA 7.3
Frost Middle Fairfax, VA 7.2
Hughes Middle Reston, VA 7.2
Kilmer Middle Vienna, VA 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gainesville Middle

What grades does Gainesville Middle serve?

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

How many students attend Gainesville Middle?

Gainesville Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,363 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gainesville Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Gainesville Middle is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gainesville Middle rank in VA?

Gainesville Middle is ranked #533 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Gainesville Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Gainesville Middle has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Gainesville Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gainesville Middle has 82.5% math proficiency and 85.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gainesville Middle a charter school?

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

Is Gainesville Middle a Title I school?

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

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

22.2% of students at Gainesville 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
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,363
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
86
Free/Reduced Lunch
22.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Prince William County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Prince William County Public Schools
District Enrollment
90,550
Schools in District
99
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,373
District Rank
#20 of 94

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.