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Needs Improvement

#1760 of 1,851 schools in VA

Shirley C. Heim Middle

Middle School · Stafford County Public Schools

320 Telegraph Road, Stafford, VA 22554

Enrollment

952

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

3.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,760 of 1,851

In Stafford

#21 of 21

public schools

In district

#31 of 32

Stafford County Public Schools

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Shirley C. Heim Middle

3.1/10

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

Widewater Elementary

4.0/10

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

St William of York Catholic School

6.0/10

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

About Shirley C. Heim Middle

Shirley C. Heim Middle is a public middle school in Stafford, VA, part of Stafford County Public Schools. Shirley C.

Heim Middle serves approximately 952 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Shirley C. Heim Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,760 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Shirley C. Heim Middle show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.6 pts below district
  • This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.7
  • VA avg 5.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.1 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.8Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency64% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-29.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.7 pts
Overall Proficiency55% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)75% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-19.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,431
Chronic Absenteeism18.9%

Shirley C. Heim Middle — Students at Shirley C. Heim Middle score 55% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 63.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
68.0% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 72.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.8% (2025 SOL)

Based on 32 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
83%
ELA
88%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
73%
ELA
91%
2012
Math
71%
ELA
73%
2013
Math
74%
ELA
71%
2014
Math
78%
ELA
74%
2015
Math
80%
ELA
79%
2016
Math
72%
ELA
80%
2017
ELA
81%
2018
Math
82%
ELA
74%
2019
Math
82%
ELA
74%
2020*
Math
26%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
50%
2025
Math
42.3%
ELA
63.5%

* 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: 2.6/10.

How Shirley C. Heim Middle Compares

See how Shirley C. Heim Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.1/10
5th percentile in VA
Academic
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.5/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
65 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.9%

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

320 Telegraph Road, Stafford, VA 22554

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Shirley C. Heim Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. H.H. Poole Middle (rated 3.7/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Stafford Middle (rated 3.6/10, 5.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Stafford, see our Stafford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Widewater Elementary Stafford 0.4 mi 4.0
ST WILLIAM OF YORK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Stafford 1.3 mi 6.0
Anne E. Moncure Elementary Stafford 2.2 mi 3.4
Hampton Oaks Elementary Stafford 3.0 mi 4.1
Kate Waller Barrett Elementary Stafford 3.2 mi 3.9
Anthony Burns Elementary Stafford 3.7 mi 5.3
GRACE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Stafford 4.3 mi 7.4
Stafford Elementary Stafford 4.5 mi 4.4
MINNIELAND PRIVATE DAY SCHOOL Stafford 3.8 mi
H.H. Poole Middle Stafford 4.0 mi 3.7
Park Ridge Elementary Stafford 4.1 mi 4.3
STAR BETHLEHEM CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Triangle 4.7 mi 2.1
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL Triangle 5.0 mi 6.0
Brooke Point High Stafford 5.4 mi 6.9
Stafford Middle Stafford 5.4 mi 3.6
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Triangle 5.3 mi 6.3
North Stafford High Stafford 4.5 mi 6.9
Triangle Elementary Triangle 5.1 mi 3.4
Winding Creek Elementary Stafford 5.1 mi 6.0
Colonial Forge High Stafford 5.3 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 22554 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$148,268

Median Home Value

$482,600

Median Rent

$2,000/mo

Population

64,605

College Educated

45.4%

Homeownership

80.2%

Avg Commute

38.7 min

Poverty Rate

3.5%

Median Age

35

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Skyline Middle Front Royal, VA 3.1
Elko Middle Sandston, VA 3.2
Fairfield Middle Richmond, VA 3.2
Manassas Park Middle Manassas Park, VA 3.0
Providence Middle North Chesterfield, VA 2.9
Thomas C. Boushall Middle Richmond, VA 2.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Shirley C. Heim Middle

What grades does Shirley C. Heim Middle serve?

Shirley C. Heim Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Shirley C. Heim Middle?

Shirley C. Heim Middle has an enrollment of approximately 952 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Shirley C. Heim Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Shirley C. Heim Middle is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Shirley C. Heim Middle rank in VA?

Shirley C. Heim Middle ranks #1,760 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Shirley C. Heim Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Shirley C. Heim Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 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 Shirley C. Heim Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Shirley C. Heim Middle has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Shirley C. Heim Middle a charter school?

No, Shirley C. Heim Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Shirley C. Heim Middle a Title I school?

No, Shirley C. Heim Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shirley C. Heim Middle?

56.9% of students at Shirley C. Heim 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
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
952
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
65
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Stafford County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.9%

District

Stafford County Public Schools
District Enrollment
31,547
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,431
District Rank
#31 of 32

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