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Needs Improvement

#1633 of 1,851 schools in VA

Sterling Middle

Middle School · Loudoun County Public Schools

201 W Holly Ave, Sterling, VA 20164

Enrollment

947

Student-Teacher

9.6:1

Score

3.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,633 of 1,851

In Sterling

#17 of 19

public schools

In district

#93 of 96

Loudoun County Public Schools

School environment

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Sterling Middle

3.9/10

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

Sully Elementary

3.2/10

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

Sterling Elementary

5.6/10

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

About Sterling Middle

Sterling Middle is a public middle school in Sterling, VA, part of Loudoun County Public Schools. Sterling Middle serves approximately 947 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 9.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Sterling Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,633 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Sterling Middle show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares3.2 pts below district
  • This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 7.1
  • VA avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

At 9.6:1 students to teachers, Sterling Middle sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.12 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.7Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency46% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-37.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-29.7 pts
Overall Proficiency42% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)68% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-25.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
Resources & Environment9.2Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,934
Chronic Absenteeism26.1%

Sterling Middle — Students at Sterling Middle score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

82.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 48.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
66.4% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 62.4% (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
71%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
64%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
63%
ELA
65%
2014
Math
65%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
74%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
71%
2017
ELA
70%
2018
Math
58%
ELA
61%
2019
Math
58%
ELA
61%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
51%
2025
Math
33.5%
ELA
46.3%

* 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: 2.5/10.

How Sterling Middle Compares

See how Sterling Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
12th percentile in VA
Academic
1.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.2/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
99 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.1%

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

201 W Holly Ave, Sterling, VA 20164

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sterling Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. THE NEWTON SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is TEMPLE BAPTIST SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Herndon), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HIDAYAH ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sterling, see our Sterling schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Sully Elementary Sterling 0.5 mi 3.2
Sterling Elementary Sterling 0.6 mi 5.6
Guilford Elementary Sterling 0.5 mi 3.2
Forest Grove Elementary Sterling 0.8 mi 4.7
Park View High Sterling 1.0 mi 6.8
Dranesville Elementary Herndon 1.0 mi 5.5
Clearview Elementary Herndon 1.4 mi 5.4
THE NEWTON SCHOOL Sterling 1.6 mi 8.3
HIDAYAH ACADEMY Sterling 1.3 mi 7.8
KARTER SCHOOL OF CASCADES Sterling 1.8 mi
Rolling Ridge Elementary Sterling 1.5 mi 4.2
DULLES MONTESSORI SCHOOL Herndon 1.9 mi
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Herndon 2.1 mi 5.1
TEMPLE BAPTIST SCHOOL Herndon 1.8 mi 8.1
FAIRFAX CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dulles 1.9 mi 7.8
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF HERNDON Herndon 1.9 mi
Herndon High Herndon 2.0 mi 6.1
Herndon Middle Herndon 2.4 mi 4.5
Herndon Elementary Herndon 2.3 mi 2.6
Hutchison Elementary Herndon 2.7 mi 3.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20164 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$132,067

Median Home Value

$526,700

Median Rent

$2,031/mo

Population

42,694

College Educated

38.6%

Homeownership

77.4%

Avg Commute

27.1 min

Poverty Rate

6.7%

Median Age

35

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Culpeper Middle Culpeper, VA 3.9
Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle Newport News, VA 3.8
Walker-Grant Middle Fredericksburg, VA 3.8
Breckinridge Middle Roanoke, VA 3.7
H.H. Poole Middle Stafford, VA 3.7
John P. Fishwick Middle Roanoke, VA 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sterling Middle

What grades does Sterling Middle serve?

Sterling Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Sterling Middle?

Sterling Middle has an enrollment of approximately 947 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sterling Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Sterling Middle is 9.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sterling Middle rank in VA?

Sterling Middle ranks #1,633 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Sterling Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Sterling Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 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 Sterling Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sterling Middle has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Sterling Middle a charter school?

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

Is Sterling Middle a Title I school?

No, Sterling Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sterling Middle?

82.9% of students at Sterling 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
75 Very Walkable
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
947
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
99
Free/Reduced Lunch
82.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Loudoun County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.1%

District

Loudoun County Public Schools
District Enrollment
81,636
Schools in District
100
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,934
District Rank
#93 of 96

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