Excellent
#45 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 2% in state
Nelson Middle
Middle School · Nelson County Public Schools
6925 Thomas Nelson Highway, Lovingston, VA 22949
Enrollment
359
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
8.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
359
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
8.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lovingston
#1 of 2
public schools
Virginia middle schools
#12 of 340
In district
#1 of 4
Nelson County Public Schools
Equity
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Nelson Middle
Nelson Middle is a public middle school in Lovingston, VA, part of the Nelson County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 359 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.9/10, placing it in the 97.6th percentile among VA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 77% proficiency in math, 10 points above the state average and 75% in reading/language arts, 1 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $50,234, where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What's said publicly about Nelson Middle
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (2)
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Nelson 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Nelson Middle — Students at Nelson Middle score 87% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
82.7%
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: 8.5/10.
How Nelson Middle Compares
See how Nelson Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 87% (2019) to 97% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 76% (2019) to 77% (2025).
Location
6925 Thomas Nelson Highway, Lovingston, VA 22949
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Nelson Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Amherst Middle (rated 8.0/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Amherst), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Stuarts Draft Middle (rated 5.6/10, 22.4 miles away, in nearby Stuarts Draft), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lovingston, see our Lovingston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 23.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Nelson County High Lovingston | 0.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Tye River Elementary Arrington | 1.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Temperance Elementary Amherst | 10.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Amherst Elementary Amherst | 13.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Amherst Middle Amherst | 13.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Central Elementary Amherst | 13.7 mi | 3.5 |
| Rockfish River Elementary Afton | 14.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Amherst County High Amherst | 14.4 mi | 4.3 |
| NORTH BRANCH SCHOOL Afton | 18.8 mi | 6.4 |
| RIDGEVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Stuarts Draft | 20.4 mi | 5.7 |
| KEYS ACADEMY - AUGUSTA/STUARTS DRAFT Stuarts Draft | 21.5 mi | — |
| Berkeley Glenn Elementary Waynesboro | 22.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Guy K. Stump Elementary Stuarts Draft | 21.9 mi | 3.4 |
| Stuarts Draft Middle Stuarts Draft | 22.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Stuarts Draft Elementary Stuarts Draft | 22.6 mi | 6.9 |
| APPALACHIAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waynesboro | 23.1 mi | 5.7 |
| FISHBURNE MILITARY SCHOOL Waynesboro | 23.1 mi | 8.0 |
| MILLER SCHOOL OF ALBEMARLE Charlottesville | 21.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Stuarts Draft High Stuarts Draft | 22.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Wenonah Elementary Waynesboro | 23.1 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 22949 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,234
Median Home Value
$259,100
Population
1,260
College Educated
29.9%
Homeownership
71.5%
Poverty Rate
17.1%
Median Age
58
Community Profile
The community surrounding Nelson Middle has a median household income of $50,234. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $259,100. The area has a poverty rate of 17.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central Academy Middle Fincastle, VA | 8.9 |
| Luray Middle Luray, VA | 8.9 |
| Peter Muhlenberg Middle Woodstock, VA | 9.1 |
| Chatham Middle Chatham, VA | 8.7 |
| Gretna Middle Gretna, VA | 8.7 |
| Page County Middle Shenandoah, VA | 8.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Nelson Middle
What grades does Nelson Middle serve?
Nelson Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Nelson Middle?
Nelson Middle has an enrollment of approximately 359 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Nelson Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Nelson Middle is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Nelson Middle rank in VA?
Nelson Middle is ranked #45 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Nelson Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Nelson Middle has a composite rating of 8.9 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 Nelson Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nelson Middle has 76.8% math proficiency and 75.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Nelson Middle a charter school?
No, Nelson Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Nelson Middle a Title I school?
No, Nelson Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nelson Middle?
82.7% of students at Nelson 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 359
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 82.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Nelson County
- Phone
- (434) 263-4801
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Nelson County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,495
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,458
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
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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