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Below Average

#1521 of 1,850 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

4.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Stafford

#15 of 21

public schools

Virginia middle schools

#313 of 340

In district

#21 of 32

Stafford County Public Schools

About Shirley C. Heim Middle

Shirley C. Heim Middle serves 952 students in grades 6-8 in Stafford, Virginia, operating as a regular public school in the Stafford County district. With 65 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1, providing relatively small class sizes that allow for more individualized attention.

The school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #1152 out of 1856 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 38th percentile among Virginia schools. This indicates the school has room for academic growth as it works to better serve its student population. Shirley C.

Heim Middle is situated in an affluent suburban community where families demonstrate strong educational values. The surrounding 22554 ZIP code area has a median household income of $137,633 and a median home value of $454,300, with 45% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The low poverty rate of just 4.0% reflects the economic stability of the neighborhood, which encompasses a population of over 62,000 residents.

The school operates in a large suburban setting along Telegraph Road, serving families in this well-established Northern Virginia community that combines suburban convenience with proximity to the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.2Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency95%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64%
Math vs. State Avg+19.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.7 pts
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)78%
vs. Expected+1.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,415

Shirley C. Heim Middle — Students at Shirley C. Heim Middle score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 78%).

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 56.8%
School
State
68.0%
ELA Proficiency 63.0%
School
State
73.8%

Based on 11 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
82%
ELA
74%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
50%
2025
Math
58.7%
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: 3.2/10.

How Shirley C. Heim Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
18th percentile in VA
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
3.2/10
Below average
Environment
4.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
65 teachers

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. Stafford Middle (rated 6.1/10, 5.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, H.H. Poole Middle (rated 5.2/10, 4.0 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 4.1
ST WILLIAM OF YORK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Stafford 1.3 mi 6.0
Anne E. Moncure Elementary Stafford 2.2 mi 3.0
Hampton Oaks Elementary Stafford 3.0 mi 4.1
Kate Waller Barrett Elementary Stafford 3.2 mi 3.4
Anthony Burns Elementary Stafford 3.7 mi 5.1
GRACE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Stafford 4.3 mi 7.4
Stafford Elementary Stafford 4.5 mi 4.6
MINNIELAND PRIVATE DAY SCHOOL Stafford 3.8 mi
H.H. Poole Middle Stafford 4.0 mi 5.2
Park Ridge Elementary Stafford 4.1 mi 5.3
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 7.6
Stafford Middle Stafford 5.4 mi 6.1
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Triangle 5.3 mi 6.3
North Stafford High Stafford 4.5 mi 6.7
Triangle Elementary Triangle 5.1 mi 3.7
Winding Creek Elementary Stafford 5.1 mi 4.4
Colonial Forge High Stafford 5.3 mi 8.1

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Shirley C. Heim Middle has a median household income of $148,268. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $482,600, with a median rent of $2,000/month. The local poverty rate of 3.5% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 39 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Caroline Middle Milford, VA 4.8
Breckinridge Middle Roanoke, VA 4.6
Culpeper Middle Culpeper, VA 4.6
Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle Newport News, VA 4.9
John Rolfe Middle Richmond, VA 4.5
Manassas Park Middle Manassas Park, VA 4.9

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 is ranked #1521 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

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

Shirley C. Heim Middle has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Shirley C. Heim Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shirley C. Heim Middle has 56.8% math proficiency and 63.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
County Safety
Elevated (1,034/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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

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