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Below Average

#1489 of 1,851 schools in VA

Mary Passage Middle

Middle School · Newport News City Public Schools

400 Atkinson Way, Newport News, VA 23608

Enrollment

976

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

4.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,489 of 1,851

In Newport News

#18 of 39

public schools

In district

#19 of 40

Newport News City Public Schools

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Mary Passage Middle

4.5/10

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

David A. Dutrow Elementary

4.6/10

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

Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle

3.8/10

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

About Mary Passage Middle

Mary Passage Middle is a public middle school in Newport News, VA, part of Newport News City Public Schools. Mary Passage Middle serves approximately 976 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Mary Passage Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,489 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Mary Passage Middle show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.1
  • VA avg 5.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.04 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-23.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.7 pts
Overall Proficiency56% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)65% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-8.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,082
Chronic Absenteeism25.8%

Mary Passage Middle — Students at Mary Passage Middle score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 52.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
66.4% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 60.6% (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

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
66%
ELA
79%
2010
Math
69%
ELA
78%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
50%
ELA
53%
2013
Math
51%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
64%
ELA
55%
2015
Math
61%
ELA
55%
2016
Math
38%
ELA
58%
2017
ELA
59%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
59%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
59%
2020*
Math
38%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
38%
ELA
53%
2025
Math
44.5%
ELA
59.8%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How Mary Passage Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
4.5/10
20th percentile in VA
Academic
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.5/10
Average
Environment
4.1/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
63 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.8%

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

400 Atkinson Way, Newport News, VA 23608

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mary Passage Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. General Stanford Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Ft. Eustis), which scores notably higher. Another option is Woodside High (rated 7.2/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, DENBIGH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newport News, see our Newport News schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.7 mi
School Distance Rating
David A. Dutrow Elementary Newport News 0.5 mi 4.6
Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle Newport News 1.1 mi 3.8
Denbigh Early Childhood Center Newport News 1.1 mi 3.4
Stoney Run Elementary Newport News 1.2 mi 2.9
George J. McIntosh Elementary Newport News 1.0 mi 2.5
Denbigh High Newport News 1.6 mi 5.8
Richneck Elementary Newport News 1.4 mi 3.6
General Stanford Elementary Ft. Eustis 1.4 mi 7.3
Knollwood Meadows Elementary Newport News 1.7 mi 5.0
Woodside High Newport News 2.1 mi 7.2
Oliver C. Greenwood Elementary Newport News 2.2 mi 2.8
T. Ryland Sanford Elementary Newport News 2.6 mi 5.2
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DENBIGH CHILD DEVT CENTER AND Newport News 2.4 mi
DENBIGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Newport News 2.1 mi
Katherine Johnson Elementary Newport News 3.0 mi 3.5
Willis A. Jenkins Elementary Newport News 3.1 mi 4.8
Menchville High Newport News 3.7 mi 6.5
DENBIGH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newport News 3.5 mi 6.8
B.C. Charles Elementary Newport News 3.8 mi 5.0
Kiln Creek Elementary Newport News 3.7 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23608 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,556

Median Home Value

$243,300

Median Rent

$1,245/mo

Population

43,841

College Educated

27%

Homeownership

51.4%

Avg Commute

27.9 min

Poverty Rate

14.2%

Median Age

33.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cedar Lee Middle Bealeton, VA 4.5
George M. Hampton Middle Woodbridge, VA 4.5
Herndon Middle Herndon, VA 4.5
Potomac Middle Dumfries, VA 4.5
Colonial Heights Middle Colonial Heights, VA 4.6
Elizabeth Davis Middle Chester, VA 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mary Passage Middle

What grades does Mary Passage Middle serve?

Mary Passage Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Mary Passage Middle?

Mary Passage Middle has an enrollment of approximately 976 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mary Passage Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Mary Passage Middle is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mary Passage Middle rank in VA?

Mary Passage Middle ranks #1,489 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Mary Passage Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Mary Passage Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Mary Passage Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mary Passage Middle has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Mary Passage Middle a charter school?

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

Is Mary Passage Middle a Title I school?

No, Mary Passage Middle is not currently a Title I school.

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

94.9% of students at Mary Passage 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
41 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
34 Some Transit
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
976
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
63
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Newport News city
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.8%

District

Newport News City Public Schools
District Enrollment
26,183
Schools in District
43
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,082
District Rank
#19 of 40

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