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Average

#703 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 38% in state

Independence Middle

Middle School · Grayson County Public Schools

PO Box 155, Independence, VA 24348

Enrollment

295

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

6.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Independence

#1 of 3

public schools

Virginia middle schools

#156 of 340

In district

#3 of 6

Grayson County Public Schools

Equity

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Independence Middle

Independence Middle, located in the remote rural area of Independence, Virginia, serves students in grades 6 through 8. With an enrollment of 295 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1, the school benefits from small class sizes that allow for more personalized attention. The dedicated teaching staff includes 18 full-time equivalent teachers who are committed to supporting each student's academic growth.

Independence Middle holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks at #967 among the state’s 1,856 schools, placing it in the 48th percentile. Academically, students perform well, with 77% meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in ELA/reading and 76% doing so in math. These scores indicate that while many students are excelling, there is still room for improvement across the board.

Set against the backdrop of rural Grayson County, Independence Middle reflects its community’s values and spirit. The school's setting offers a unique environment where students can grow both academically and personally amidst the natural beauty and tight-knit community of Virginia’s countryside.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Independence 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 Progress6.8Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.41 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.2Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency100%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg+24.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.3 pts
Overall Proficiency89%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected+19.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
Resources & Environment3.9Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,452

Independence Middle — Students at Independence Middle score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

93.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 79.8%
School
State
66.4%
ELA Proficiency 77.0%
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
86%
ELA
83%
2021*
Math
60%
ELA
73%
2025
Math
83.3%
ELA
76.5%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Independence Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
62th percentile in VA
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
93%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

PO Box 155, Independence, VA 24348

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Independence Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Galax Middle (rated 6.2/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Galax), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Rural Retreat Middle (rated 5.8/10, 20.1 miles away, in nearby Rural Retreat), a more accessible option. For more schools in Independence, see our Independence schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Grayson County High Independence 0.1 mi 6.8
Independence Elementary Independence 0.5 mi 4.2
Alleghany High Sparta 7.5 mi 7.8
Sparta Elementary Sparta 7.8 mi 5.2
Piney Creek Elementary Piney Creek 10.1 mi 6.3
OAK HILL ACADEMY Mouth Of Wilson 10.8 mi 8.2
Fries Elementary Fries 11.5 mi 5.9
Speedwell Elementary Wytheville 13.6 mi 6.1
Glade Creek Elementary Ennice 12.4 mi 4.7
Galax Middle Galax 12.5 mi 6.2
Galax Elementary Galax 12.5 mi 4.3
Galax High Galax 12.6 mi 8.0
Fairview Elementary Galax 13.3 mi 8.2
Grayson Highlands Troutdale 14.6 mi 7.6
Gladeville Elementary Galax 15.8 mi 5.3
Traphill Elementary School Traphill 20.1 mi 7.9
Rural Retreat High Rural Retreat 20.1 mi 8.0
Rural Retreat Middle Rural Retreat 20.1 mi 5.8
Sheffey Elementary Wytheville 20.3 mi 6.3
Oakland Elementary Galax 17.2 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24348 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,408

Median Home Value

$146,200

Median Rent

$621/mo

Population

5,095

College Educated

13.6%

Homeownership

71.1%

Avg Commute

20.4 min

Poverty Rate

19.7%

Median Age

47

Community Profile

The community surrounding Independence Middle has a median household income of $42,408. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $146,200, with a median rent of $621/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.7%. 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
Glade Spring Middle Glade Spring, VA 7.0
Scott Memorial Middle Wytheville, VA 7.0
Pennington Middle Pennington Gap, VA 6.8
Amelia County Middle Amelia, VA 6.7
Sussex Central Middle Stony Creek, VA 7.2
Auburn Middle Riner, VA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Independence Middle

What grades does Independence Middle serve?

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

How many students attend Independence Middle?

Independence Middle has an enrollment of approximately 295 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Independence Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Independence Middle is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Independence Middle rank in VA?

Independence Middle is ranked #703 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Independence Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Independence Middle has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Independence Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Independence Middle has 79.8% math proficiency and 77.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Independence Middle a charter school?

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

Is Independence Middle a Title I school?

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

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

93.2% of students at Independence 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 (2,985/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
295
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
93.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Grayson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Grayson County Public Schools
District Enrollment
1,576
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,370
District Rank
#3 of 6

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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