Average
#1186 of 1,851 schools in VA
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation
Middle School · Lynchburg City Public Schools · Lynchburg, VA
A Lynchburg City Public Schools middle school where students score 10 points below what's typical for similar communities.
1200 1208 Polk St, Lynchburg, VA 24504
- Math 47% vs VA 66% (2025)
- Reading 57% vs VA 74% (2025)
- 10.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation score 55% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
2025 SOL proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. VA average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 26 points since 2019, to 52% in 2025, across a 17-year record (2009–2025).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 58% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 69% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 33 test records from VA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
93.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 72Very Walkable
- Transit 40Some Transit
- Bike 31Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High2,100/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Lynchburg), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$50,739
Median home value
$183,400
Median rent
$998/mo
College educated
24.3%
Homeownership
53.6%
Poverty rate
26%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 24504; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Vistas SchoolPrivate · tuition | 5.6private | 4–12 | 1.5 mi | 31 | Compare → |
| Fellowship Christian AcademyPrivate · tuition | Not rated | 1–12 | 1.6 mi | 21 | Compare → |
| Linkhorne MiddleEnrollment path unverified | 4.2 | 6–8 | 2.6 mi | 566 | Compare → |
| New Covenant SchoolsPrivate · tuition | 5.1private | PK–12 | 3.3 mi | 415 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Lynchburg City Public Schools
- Schools in district
- 20
- Rank in district
- #6 of 16
- District spending per student
- $17,083NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 21.3%Census SAIPE · 2024
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation is listed in Lynchburg City Public Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation is a public middle school in Lynchburg, VA, part of Lynchburg City Public Schools, serving approximately 533 students in grades 6th-8th with a 10.2:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,186 of 1,851 schools in VA. State assessment records show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation
What grades does Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation serve?
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation?
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation has an enrollment of approximately 533 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation?
The student-teacher ratio at Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation rank in VA?
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation ranks #1,186 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation's MySchoolScout rating?
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation a charter school?
No, Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation a Title I school?
No, Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation?
93.6% of students at Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 533
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 52
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Lynchburg city
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 28.0%
- Phone
- (434) 515-5310
- Area population (ZIP 24504)
- 9,471
- Area average commute
- 21.2 min
- Area median age
- 38.7
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 SOL · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 SOL. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 SOL · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 SOL. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 24504; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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.