Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student Progress3.7Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.77 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.1Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency94%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82%
Math vs. State Avg+18.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.3 pts
Overall Proficiency88%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected+21.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,836

Northwood Middle — Students at Northwood Middle score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 64.2%
School
State
66.4%
ELA Proficiency 80.0%
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
92%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
62.8%
ELA
82.8%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Northwood Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
56th percentile in VA
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
3.7/10
Below average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Smyth County Public Schools
District Enrollment
3,892
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,196
District Rank
#10 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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.