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#1076 of 1,850 schools in VA

Marion Middle

Middle School · Smyth County Public Schools

134 Wilden St, Marion, VA 24354

Enrollment

389

Student-Teacher

11.1:1

Score

6.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Marion

#3 of 4

public schools

Virginia middle schools

#228 of 340

In district

#12 of 13

Smyth County Public Schools

Equity

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Marion Middle

Marion Middle serves 389 students in grades 6 through 8 in Marion, Virginia, earning a solid 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school ranks #282 out of 1,856 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 85th percentile among Virginia schools. With 35 full-time equivalent teachers, Marion Middle maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1, allowing for more individualized attention and smaller class sizes than many middle schools.

The school serves families in Smyth County's 24354 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $41,091 and median home value reaches $135,500. About 19% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 19.3% among the ZIP code's 13,918 residents. This working-class community provides a grounded environment where students can develop strong relationships with teachers and peers.

Marion Middle's strong state ranking suggests the school is successfully preparing students for high school despite serving a community with economic challenges. The favorable student-teacher ratio creates opportunities for meaningful teacher-student connections that can be especially valuable during the critical middle school years. The school operates within the town setting of Marion, providing students with a close-knit educational environment.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.1Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency94%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Math vs. State Avg+18.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.7 pts
Overall Proficiency81%
Expected (poverty-adj.)66%
vs. Expected+14.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,836

Marion Middle — Students at Marion Middle score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

102.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 62.2%
School
State
66.4%
ELA Proficiency 67.8%
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
83%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
44%
ELA
64%
2025
Math
61.5%
ELA
66.5%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How Marion Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
42th percentile in VA
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
102%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

Location

134 Wilden St, Marion, VA 24354

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Marion Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Chilhowie Middle (rated 8.6/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Chilhowie), which scores notably higher. Another option is Glade Spring Middle (rated 7.0/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Glade Spring), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Northwood Middle (rated 6.7/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Saltville), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Marion, see our Marion schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Marion Senior High Marion 0.5 mi 7.7
Marion Elementary Marion 0.8 mi 8.0
Oak Point Elementary Marion 4.6 mi 5.1
Atkins Elementary Atkins 5.6 mi 8.2
Sugar Grove Elementary Sugar Grove 7.0 mi 8.3
Rich Valley Elementary Saltville 8.9 mi 8.6
Northwood Middle Saltville 9.0 mi 6.7
Chilhowie Elementary Chilhowie 8.3 mi 8.8
Chilhowie High Chilhowie 8.8 mi 6.4
Chilhowie Middle Chilhowie 9.1 mi 8.6
Grayson Highlands Troutdale 14.1 mi 7.6
Saltville Elementary Saltville 13.8 mi 9.4
Rural Retreat High Rural Retreat 14.1 mi 8.0
Rural Retreat Middle Rural Retreat 14.1 mi 5.8
Northwood High Saltville 14.1 mi 7.5
Rural Retreat Elementary Rural Retreat 14.6 mi 7.5
Glade Spring Middle Glade Spring 15.2 mi 7.0
Tazewell High Tazewell 19.9 mi 6.0
Tazewell Primary Tazewell 20.0 mi 6.6
Tazewell Middle Tazewell 20.2 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24354 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,076

Median Home Value

$142,100

Median Rent

$686/mo

Population

12,984

College Educated

19.7%

Homeownership

66%

Avg Commute

19.5 min

Poverty Rate

16.9%

Median Age

48.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Marion Middle has a median household income of $42,076. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $142,100, with a median rent of $686/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.9%. 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
Jonesville Middle Jonesville, VA 6.1
Johnson-Williams Middle Berryville, VA 6.0
Galax Middle Galax, VA 6.2
William H. Wetsel Middle Madison, VA 6.2
Poquoson Middle Poquoson, VA 5.9
Ruffner School Norfolk, VA 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Marion Middle

What grades does Marion Middle serve?

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

How many students attend Marion Middle?

Marion Middle has an enrollment of approximately 389 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Marion Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Marion Middle is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Marion Middle rank in VA?

Marion Middle is ranked #1076 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Marion Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Marion Middle has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Marion Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Marion Middle has 62.2% math proficiency and 67.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Marion Middle a charter school?

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

Is Marion Middle a Title I school?

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

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

102.1% of students at Marion 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 (2,690/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
389
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
102.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Smyth County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Smyth County Public Schools
District Enrollment
3,892
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,196
District Rank
#12 of 13

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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