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#1198 of 1,851 schools in VA

S. Gordon Stewart Middle

Middle School · Augusta County Public Schools

118 Fort Defiance Rd, Fort Defiance, VA 24437

Enrollment

516

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

5.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,198 of 1,851

In Fort Defiance

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#11 of 18

Augusta County Public Schools

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S. Gordon Stewart Middle

5.5/10

Middle School in Fort Defiance · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Edward G. Clymore Elementary

5.5/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Fort Defiance High

6.6/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About S. Gordon Stewart Middle

S. Gordon Stewart Middle is a public middle school in Fort Defiance, VA, part of Augusta County Public Schools. S.

Gordon Stewart Middle serves approximately 516 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio. S. Gordon Stewart Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,198 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for S. Gordon Stewart Middle show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 5.3
  • VA avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at S. Gordon Stewart Middle sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

S. Gordon Stewart 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 metrics
Student Progress6.2Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.86 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.2Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency66% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-15.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.7 pts
Overall Proficiency63% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)72% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-9.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
Resources & Environment6.3Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,991
Chronic Absenteeism16.7%

S. Gordon Stewart Middle — Students at S. Gordon Stewart Middle score 63% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 66.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
66.4% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 75.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.8% (2025 SOL)

Based on 33 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
80%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
86%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
86%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
65%
2013
Math
66%
ELA
66%
2014
Math
80%
ELA
78%
2015
Math
78%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
64%
ELA
79%
2017
ELA
80%
2018
Math
83%
ELA
81%
2019
Math
83%
ELA
81%
2020*
Math
50%
ELA
74%
2021*
Math
50%
ELA
74%
2025
Math
56.3%
ELA
66%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How S. Gordon Stewart Middle Compares

See how S. Gordon Stewart Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
35th percentile in VA
Academic
4.2/10
Below Average
Growth
6.2/10
Average
Environment
6.3/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

118 Fort Defiance Rd, Fort Defiance, VA 24437

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering S. Gordon Stewart Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Thomas C. McSwain Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Staunton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bessie Weller Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Staunton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, STUART HALL SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Staunton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fort Defiance, see our Fort Defiance schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Edward G. Clymore Elementary Fort Defiance 0.2 mi 5.5
Fort Defiance High Fort Defiance 0.3 mi 6.6
Staunton High Staunton 6.9 mi 7.0
Thomas C. McSwain Elementary Staunton 7.1 mi 9.1
Wilson Memorial High Fishersville 8.5 mi 7.2
Wilson Middle Fishersville 8.5 mi 5.3
North River Elementary Mount Solon 7.4 mi 5.9
Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind High Staunton 8.0 mi 7.2
Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind Middle Staunton 8.0 mi
Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind Elementary Staunton 8.0 mi
ELK HILL STAUNTON SCHOOL Staunton 8.1 mi 6.2
Wilson Elementary Fishersville 9.0 mi 4.5
Staunton City School PreSchool Programs Staunton 7.7 mi 3.3
GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Staunton 8.3 mi 5.7
GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE Staunton 8.3 mi 5.8
STUART HALL SCHOOL Staunton 8.4 mi 7.9
BLUE RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bridgewater 9.6 mi 5.3
C.F. RICHARDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Staunton 9.2 mi 5.9
Bessie Weller Elementary Staunton 9.0 mi 8.8
Arthur R. Ware Elementary Staunton 8.8 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24437 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$88,397

Median Home Value

$298,400

Population

1,625

College Educated

28.8%

Homeownership

100%

Poverty Rate

11%

Median Age

55.7

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Beverley Manor Middle Staunton, VA 5.4
Cumberland Middle Cumberland, VA 5.6
Forest Glen Middle Suffolk, VA 5.4
Jackson P. Burley Middle Charlottesville, VA 5.6
James H. Cary Intermediate Tappahannock, VA 5.6
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation Lynchburg, VA 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about S. Gordon Stewart Middle

What grades does S. Gordon Stewart Middle serve?

S. Gordon Stewart Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend S. Gordon Stewart Middle?

S. Gordon Stewart Middle has an enrollment of approximately 516 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at S. Gordon Stewart Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at S. Gordon Stewart Middle is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does S. Gordon Stewart Middle rank in VA?

S. Gordon Stewart Middle ranks #1,198 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is S. Gordon Stewart Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

S. Gordon Stewart Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 S. Gordon Stewart Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, S. Gordon Stewart Middle has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is S. Gordon Stewart Middle a charter school?

No, S. Gordon Stewart Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is S. Gordon Stewart Middle a Title I school?

No, S. Gordon Stewart Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for S. Gordon Stewart Middle?

66.3% of students at S. Gordon Stewart 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

Walk Score
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
516
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Augusta County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.7%

District

Augusta County Public Schools
District Enrollment
10,139
Schools in District
18
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,991
District Rank
#11 of 18

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