Very Good
#404 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 22% in state
Lylburn Downing Middle
Middle School · Lexington City Public Schools
302 Diamond St, Lexington, VA 24450
Enrollment
180
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
7.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
180
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
7.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lexington
#3 of 5
public schools
Virginia middle schools
#83 of 340
In district
#2 of 2
Lexington City Public Schools
Academic performance
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Lylburn Downing Middle
Lylburn Downing Middle School serves 180 students in grades 6-8 in Lexington, Virginia, offering a focused learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 77th percentile statewide at #428 out of 1,856 Virginia schools. Students at Lylburn Downing Middle consistently perform well on state assessments, with 90% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and 80% meeting proficiency standards in Mathematics.
These results reflect the dedication of the school's 14 full-time equivalent teachers and the supportive learning culture they've established. The school draws families from a stable community where the median household income is $75,704 and nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a poverty rate of just 10.6%, the surrounding area provides a solid foundation for educational success.
Home values averaging $279,400 indicate a community that values investment in quality neighborhoods. Located on Diamond Street in the heart of Lexington, Lylburn Downing Middle School serves as an integral part of this historic Virginia town, providing middle school students with both academic rigor and small-school personal attention.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 180 students, Lylburn Downing Middle is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Lylburn Downing Middle — Students at Lylburn Downing Middle score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 84%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.4/10.
How Lylburn Downing Middle Compares
See how Lylburn Downing Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 92% (2019) to 92% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 87% (2019) to 92% (2025).
Location
302 Diamond St, Lexington, VA 24450
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lylburn Downing Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Parry McCluer Middle (rated 8.3/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Buena Vista), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Maury River Middle (rated 8.1/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Lexington, see our Lexington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| EARTHSONG COMMUNITY SCHOOL Lexington | 0.2 mi | — |
| Central Elementary Lexington | 0.4 mi | 5.0 |
| BUFFALO CREEK BOYS SCHOOL Lexington | 1.0 mi | — |
| Maury River Middle Lexington | 1.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Harrington Waddell Elementary Lexington | 1.0 mi | 8.8 |
| Rockbridge County High Lexington | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| ROCKBRIDGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lexington | 4.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Mountain View Elementary Buena Vista | 4.3 mi | 4.8 |
| F.W. Kling Jr. Elementary Buena Vista | 5.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Parry McCluer Middle Buena Vista | 5.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Enderly Heights Elementary Buena Vista | 6.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Parry McCluer High Buena Vista | 6.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Fairfield Elementary Fairfield | 9.9 mi | 6.9 |
| RIVERMONT SCHOOL - ROCKBRIDGE Fairfield | 10.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Natural Bridge Elementary Natural Bridge Station | 12.0 mi | 3.1 |
| Big Island Elementary Big Island | 17.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Millboro Elementary Millboro | 16.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Craigsville Elementary Craigsville | 20.6 mi | 3.3 |
| Sharon Elementary Clifton Forge | 17.0 mi | 9.3 |
| COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Clifton Forge | 19.5 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24450 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,839
Median Home Value
$294,200
Median Rent
$1,017/mo
Population
17,760
College Educated
45.5%
Homeownership
66.8%
Avg Commute
20.9 min
Poverty Rate
9.3%
Median Age
37.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lylburn Downing Middle has a median household income of $77,839. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $294,200, with a median rent of $1,017/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| John N. Dalton Intermediate Radford, VA | 7.6 |
| Northumberland Middle Heathsville, VA | 7.8 |
| Sussex Central Middle Stony Creek, VA | 7.2 |
| Nottoway Middle Crewe, VA | 8.1 |
| Glade Spring Middle Glade Spring, VA | 7.0 |
| Luther P. Jackson Middle Dendron, VA | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lylburn Downing Middle
What grades does Lylburn Downing Middle serve?
Lylburn Downing Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Lylburn Downing Middle?
Lylburn Downing Middle has an enrollment of approximately 180 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lylburn Downing Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Lylburn Downing Middle is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lylburn Downing Middle rank in VA?
Lylburn Downing Middle is ranked #404 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Lylburn Downing Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Lylburn Downing Middle has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Lylburn Downing Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lylburn Downing Middle has 81.8% math proficiency and 90.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lylburn Downing Middle a charter school?
No, Lylburn Downing Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lylburn Downing Middle a Title I school?
No, Lylburn Downing Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lylburn Downing Middle?
29.4% of students at Lylburn Downing 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 180
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 29.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Lexington city
- Phone
- (540) 463-3532
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lexington City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 508
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,427
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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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