Average
#822 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 44% in state
Northwood Middle
Middle School · Smyth County Public Schools
156 Long Hollow Rd, Saltville, VA 24370
Enrollment
164
Student-Teacher
7.8:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
164
Student-Teacher
7.8:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Saltville
#4 of 4
public schools
Virginia middle schools
#177 of 340
In district
#10 of 13
Smyth County Public Schools
Equity
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Northwood Middle
Northwood Middle serves 164 students in grades 6 through 8 in Saltville, Virginia, earning a solid 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school ranks #280 out of 1,856 Virginia schools, placing it in the 85th percentile statewide — a strong performance that reflects the school's commitment to middle school education. With 21 full-time equivalent teachers, Northwood Middle maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 7.8:1, allowing for more personalized attention and smaller class sizes than many schools can offer.
This intimate learning environment can be particularly beneficial during the crucial middle school years when students are developing both academically and socially. The school draws from a community where the median household income is $46,648 and the median home value is $91,100. About 18% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 22.7% of families experience poverty, reflecting the economic diversity that characterizes many rural Virginia communities.
Located on Long Hollow Road, Northwood Middle sits in Smyth County's rural landscape, providing students with a close-knit school experience in the scenic Appalachian region of southwestern Virginia.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 164 students, Northwood 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.8:1, Northwood Middle offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Northwood 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
Northwood Middle — Students at Northwood Middle score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.7/10.
How Northwood Middle Compares
See how Northwood Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 92% (2019) to 94% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 82% (2019) to 82% (2025).
Location
156 Long Hollow Rd, Saltville, VA 24370
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwood Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Chilhowie Middle (rated 8.6/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Chilhowie), which scores notably higher. Another option is Glade Spring Middle (rated 7.0/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Glade Spring), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Richlands Middle (rated 6.3/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Richlands), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Saltville, see our Saltville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rich Valley Elementary Saltville | 0.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Oak Point Elementary Marion | 8.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Chilhowie Elementary Chilhowie | 8.3 mi | 8.8 |
| Chilhowie High Chilhowie | 8.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Chilhowie Middle Chilhowie | 9.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Saltville Elementary Saltville | 7.7 mi | 9.4 |
| Northwood High Saltville | 8.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Marion Middle Marion | 9.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Marion Senior High Marion | 9.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Marion Elementary Marion | 9.3 mi | 8.0 |
| MAIN STREET SCHOOL Cedar Bluff | 10.7 mi | 6.9 |
| FAITH ACADEMY Cedar Bluff | 11.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Cedar Bluff Elementary Cedar Bluff | 13.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Glade Spring Middle Glade Spring | 13.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Atkins Elementary Atkins | 12.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Richlands High Richlands | 14.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Tazewell Intermediate North Tazewell | 14.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Richlands Middle Richlands | 14.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Richlands Elementary Richlands | 14.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Tazewell Primary Tazewell | 15.1 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24370 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$49,309
Median Home Value
$100,700
Median Rent
$597/mo
Population
5,740
College Educated
18.8%
Homeownership
76.9%
Avg Commute
29.9 min
Poverty Rate
20.5%
Median Age
43.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwood Middle has a median household income of $49,309. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $100,700, with a median rent of $597/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Damascus Middle Damascus, VA | 6.4 |
| Shawsville Middle Shawsville, VA | 6.3 |
| Sussex Central Middle Stony Creek, VA | 7.2 |
| Elydale Middle Ewing, VA | 6.1 |
| Lylburn Downing Middle Lexington, VA | 7.6 |
| Rural Retreat Middle Rural Retreat, VA | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwood Middle
What grades does Northwood Middle serve?
Northwood Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Northwood Middle?
Northwood Middle has an enrollment of approximately 164 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwood Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwood Middle is 7.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwood Middle rank in VA?
Northwood Middle is ranked #822 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Northwood Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwood Middle has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Northwood Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwood Middle has 64.2% math proficiency and 80.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northwood Middle a charter school?
No, Northwood Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwood Middle a Title I school?
No, Northwood Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwood Middle?
100.0% of students at Northwood 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
- City Safety
- Average (510/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Saltville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 164
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Smyth County
- Phone
- (276) 624-3341
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Smyth County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,892
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,196
- District Rank
- #10 of 13
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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