Skip to main content

Average

#1161 of 1,850 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

5.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sterling

#13 of 19

public schools

Virginia middle schools

#247 of 340

In district

#83 of 96

Loudoun County Public Schools

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Sterling Middle

Sterling Middle serves 947 students in grades 6-8 in Sterling, Virginia, offering a solid educational foundation in Loudoun County's thriving suburban community. With 99 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent 9.6-to-1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more personalized attention and smaller class sizes than many middle schools. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, ranking #166 out of 1,856 Virginia schools and placing in the 91st percentile statewide.

This strong ranking reflects Sterling Middle's commitment to educational excellence and student achievement. The school's 7.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating further underscores its quality programming and learning environment. Sterling Middle draws families from a well-established suburban area where the median household income reaches $125,302 and 39% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The community's low poverty rate of 6.9% reflects the economic stability of the area, with median home values around $475,300. This affluent, educated community provides a supportive backdrop for student learning and family engagement. Located on West Holly Avenue in this large suburban setting, Sterling Middle benefits from being part of a dynamic, growing community that values education and family life.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, Sterling Middle offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.9Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency97%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46%
Math vs. State Avg+21.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-29.7 pts
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected+0.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,993

Sterling Middle — Students at Sterling Middle score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

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 45.5%
School
State
66.4%
ELA Proficiency 49.5%
School
State
73.8%

Based on 12 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
58%
ELA
61%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
51%
2025
Math
48.3%
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: 3.9/10.

How Sterling Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
37th percentile in VA
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
3.9/10
Below average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
99 teachers

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 4.2
Sterling Elementary Sterling 0.6 mi 7.2
Guilford Elementary Sterling 0.5 mi 3.2
Forest Grove Elementary Sterling 0.8 mi 4.2
Park View High Sterling 1.0 mi 7.4
Dranesville Elementary Herndon 1.0 mi 7.2
Clearview Elementary Herndon 1.4 mi 5.8
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 3.8
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 7.2
Herndon Middle Herndon 2.4 mi 7.4
Herndon Elementary Herndon 2.3 mi 3.4
Hutchison Elementary Herndon 2.7 mi 4.4

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sterling Middle has a median household income of $132,067. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $526,700, with a median rent of $2,031/month. The local poverty rate of 6.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
C. Alton Lindsay Middle Hampton, VA 5.9
Chancellor Middle Fredericksburg, VA 5.9
Christiansburg Middle Christiansburg, VA 5.9
George H. Moody Middle Richmond, VA 5.9
Hungary Creek Middle Glen Allen, VA 5.9
King's Fork Middle Suffolk, VA 5.9

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 is ranked #1161 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Sterling Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Sterling Middle has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Sterling Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sterling Middle has 45.5% math proficiency and 49.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
71 Very Walkable
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (622/100K)

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
947
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
99
Free/Reduced Lunch
82.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Loudoun County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.