Very Good
#482 of 1,851 schools in VA
Top 26% in state
Pennington Middle
Middle School · Lee County Public Schools
121 Bobcat Circle, Pennington Gap, VA 24277
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
7.6
Grades
5th – 7th
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
7.6
Grades
5th – 7th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia schools
#482 of 1,851
In Pennington Gap
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#6 of 10
Lee County Public Schools
School environment
9.5 / 10
Excellent
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Pennington Middle
Middle School in Pennington Gap · grades 5th – 7th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Elk Knob Elementary
2.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
St. Charles Elementary
3.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Pennington Middle
Pennington Middle is a public middle school in Pennington Gap, VA, part of Lee County Public Schools. Pennington Middle serves approximately 287 students, and covers grades 5th-7th, and has a 9.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Pennington Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #482 of 1,851 schools in VA.
Structured state assessment records for Pennington Middle show 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.6 · Very Good
- District avg 8.2
- VA avg 5.9
What Parents Should Know
At 9.9:1 students to teachers, Pennington Middle sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Pennington Middle sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Pennington Middle — Students at Pennington Middle score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
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 33 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: 6.6/10.
How Pennington Middle Compares
See how Pennington Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
121 Bobcat Circle, Pennington Gap, VA 24277
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pennington Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Union Primary (rated 9.1/10, 17.5 miles away, in nearby Big Stone Gap), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dryden Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Dryden), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Duffield-Pattonsville Primary (rated 8.2/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Duffield), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Pennington Gap, see our Pennington Gap schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Elk Knob Elementary Pennington Gap | 2.6 mi | 6.4 |
| St. Charles Elementary St. Charles | 3.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Dryden Elementary Dryden | 4.3 mi | 8.6 |
| Lee High Jonesville | 4.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Jonesville Middle Jonesville | 8.1 mi | 7.9 |
| POWELL VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dryden | 9.5 mi | — |
| Black Mountain Elementary School Evarts | 10.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Evarts Elementary School Evarts | 12.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Cumberland Elementary School Cumberland | 14.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Cawood Elementary School Cawood | 11.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Duffield-Pattonsville Primary Duffield | 12.4 mi | 8.2 |
| HARLAN COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Totz | 14.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Flatwoods Elementary Jonesville | 14.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Hancock High School Sneedville | 18.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Harlan County High School Baxter | 16.7 mi | 6.2 |
| APPALACHIAN CHALLENGE ACADEMY Grays Knob | 16.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Rosspoint Elementary School Baxter | 17.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Union High Big Stone Gap | 17.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Union Primary Big Stone Gap | 17.5 mi | 9.1 |
| Clinch School Sneedville | 20.6 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24277 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$33,102
Median Home Value
$81,200
Median Rent
$764/mo
Population
6,379
College Educated
8.3%
Homeownership
61.6%
Poverty Rate
37.5%
Median Age
41.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Tazewell Middle Tazewell, VA | 7.6 |
| Galax Middle Galax, VA | 7.5 |
| Gate City Middle Gate City, VA | 7.5 |
| Nelson Middle Lovingston, VA | 7.5 |
| Fort Chiswell Middle Max Meadows, VA | 7.7 |
| Graham Middle Bluefield, VA | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pennington Middle
What grades does Pennington Middle serve?
Pennington Middle serves students in grades 5th through 7th.
How many students attend Pennington Middle?
Pennington Middle has an enrollment of approximately 287 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pennington Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Pennington Middle is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pennington Middle rank in VA?
Pennington Middle ranks #482 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is Pennington Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Pennington Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Pennington Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Pennington Middle has 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Pennington Middle a charter school?
No, Pennington Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pennington Middle a Title I school?
No, Pennington Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pennington Middle?
100.0% of students at Pennington 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 7th
- Enrollment
- 287
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Lee County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 5.6%
- Phone
- (276) 546-1453
Resources & Links
District
Lee County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,971
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,131
- District Rank
- #6 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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