Skip to main content

Very Good

#566 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 31% in state

Independence Middle

Middle School · Grayson County Public Schools

PO Box 155, Independence, VA 24348

Enrollment

295

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

7.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#566 of 1,851

In Independence

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#6 of 6

Grayson County Public Schools

Equity

9.3 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Independence Middle?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Independence Middle

7.4/10

Middle School in Independence · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Grayson County High

9.3/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Independence Elementary

7.8/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Independence Middle

Independence Middle is a public middle school in Independence, VA, part of Grayson County Public Schools. Independence Middle serves approximately 295 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Independence Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #566 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Independence Middle show 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.5 pts above VA schools
  • This school 7.4 · Very Good
  • VA avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

Independence Middle sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.0Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.12 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.0Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency79% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency77% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg+3.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.3 pts
Overall Proficiency78% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)65% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+13.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,370
Chronic Absenteeism21.4%

Independence Middle — Students at Independence Middle score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

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 75.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
66.4% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 77.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.8% (2025 SOL)

Based on 33 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
70%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
53%
ELA
80%
2017
ELA
84%
2018
Math
86%
ELA
83%
2019
Math
86%
ELA
83%
2020*
Math
60%
ELA
73%
2021*
Math
60%
ELA
73%
2025
Math
78%
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: 9.0/10.

How Independence Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
70th percentile in VA
Academic
8.0/10
Excellent
Growth
9.0/10
Excellent
Environment
4.1/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
93%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

PO Box 155, Independence, VA 24348

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Independence Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Rural Retreat Middle (rated 7.9/10, 20.1 miles away, in nearby Rural Retreat), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Galax Middle (rated 7.5/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Galax), with a very similar rating. 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 9.3
Independence Elementary Independence 0.5 mi 7.8
Alleghany High Sparta 7.5 mi 8.0
Sparta Elementary Sparta 7.8 mi 4.2
Piney Creek Elementary Piney Creek 10.1 mi 5.1
OAK HILL ACADEMY Mouth Of Wilson 10.8 mi 8.2
Fries Elementary Fries 11.5 mi 8.9
Speedwell Elementary Wytheville 13.6 mi 7.4
Glade Creek Elementary Ennice 12.4 mi 4.7
Galax Middle Galax 12.5 mi 7.5
Galax Elementary Galax 12.5 mi 7.0
Galax High Galax 12.6 mi 8.9
Fairview Elementary Galax 13.3 mi 9.8
Grayson Highlands Troutdale 14.6 mi 9.6
Gladeville Elementary Galax 15.8 mi 7.7
Traphill Elementary School Traphill 20.1 mi 6.4
Rural Retreat High Rural Retreat 20.1 mi 9.0
Rural Retreat Middle Rural Retreat 20.1 mi 7.9
Sheffey Elementary Wytheville 20.3 mi 8.8
Oakland Elementary Galax 17.2 mi 7.1

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Galax Middle Galax, VA 7.5
Gate City Middle Gate City, VA 7.5
Nelson Middle Lovingston, VA 7.5
Pennington Middle Pennington Gap, VA 7.6
Tazewell Middle Tazewell, VA 7.6
Amherst Middle Amherst, VA 7.2

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 ranks #566 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Independence Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Independence Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Independence Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Independence Middle has 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
36 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.4%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

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.