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Very Good

#631 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 34% in state

T. Benton Gayle Middle

Middle School · Stafford County Public Schools

100 Panther Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22406

Enrollment

926

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

7.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fredericksburg

#5 of 26

public schools

Virginia middle schools

#139 of 340

In district

#7 of 32

Stafford County Public Schools

Academic growth

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About T. Benton Gayle Middle

T. Benton Gayle Middle School serves 926 students in grades 6-8 in Fredericksburg, Virginia, operating within the Stafford County school system. With 62 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1, providing reasonably sized learning environments for middle school students navigating this crucial developmental period.

The school currently ranks 1233 out of 1856 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 34th percentile among Virginia schools, indicating significant room for academic growth and development. While working to strengthen its academic programs, T. Benton Gayle Middle continues to serve families in this established community.

Located on Panther Drive, the school sits in the heart of Stafford County's 22406 ZIP code, an area characterized by economic stability with a median household income of $116,784 and median home values around $443,900. The community shows strong educational values, with 42% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains a low poverty rate of just 5.8%. This well-educated, financially stable neighborhood of over 26,000 residents provides a supportive foundation for the school's mission.

T. Benton Gayle Middle School operates in a mid-size suburban setting that combines the benefits of community closeness with access to broader regional resources.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.9Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency99%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74%
Math vs. State Avg+23.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.7 pts
Overall Proficiency87%
Expected (poverty-adj.)82%
vs. Expected+4.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,415

T. Benton Gayle Middle — Students at T. Benton Gayle Middle score 86% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 82%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 75.5%
School
State
66.4%
ELA Proficiency 74.2%
School
State
73.8%

Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
81%
ELA
78%
2021*
Math
45%
ELA
70%
2025
Math
81.8%
ELA
74.3%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How T. Benton Gayle Middle Compares

See how T. Benton Gayle Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
66th percentile in VA
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
8.3/10
Above average
Environment
4.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
62 teachers

Location

100 Panther Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22406

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering T. Benton Gayle Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Edward E. Drew Jr. Middle (rated 7.6/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Falmouth), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Donald B. Dixon-Lyle R. Smith Middle (rated 6.0/10, 4.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Fredericksburg, see our Fredericksburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.7 mi
School Distance Rating
ALTERNATIVE PATHS TRAINING SCHOOL -STAFF EAST/WEST Fredericksburg 0.9 mi 7.6
CORNERSTONE LIFE ACADEMY Fredericksburg 1.2 mi
Stafford Senior High Fredericksburg 1.8 mi 8.1
RIVERMONT SCHOOL - FREDERICKSBURG Fredericksburg 2.2 mi 7.4
HOLY CROSS ACADEMY Fredericksburg 1.9 mi 5.3
Rocky Run Elementary Fredericksburg 2.1 mi 3.2
Rising Star Early Childhood Education Center at Melchers Fredericksburg 2.6 mi 4.8
Edward E. Drew Jr. Middle Falmouth 2.4 mi 7.6
Falmouth Elementary Falmouth 2.9 mi 3.3
James Monroe High Fredericksburg 4.0 mi 6.8
Conway Elementary Fredericksburg 3.5 mi 3.8
Hugh Mercer Elementary Fredericksburg 4.4 mi 3.3
CHILDRENS HOUSE OF OLD TOWN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Fredericksburg 4.8 mi
Hartwood Elementary Hartwood 4.4 mi 7.1
THE GLADYS H OBERLE SCHOOL Fredericksburg 5.3 mi 8.0
Colonial Forge High Stafford 5.3 mi 8.1
Walker-Grant Early Childhood Center Fredericksburg 5.4 mi 4.9
Donald B. Dixon-Lyle R. Smith Middle Fredericksburg 4.7 mi 6.0
Grafton Village Elementary Falmouth 4.9 mi 4.5
Winding Creek Elementary Stafford 5.7 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 22406 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$124,357

Median Home Value

$483,200

Median Rent

$1,895/mo

Population

26,248

College Educated

43.2%

Homeownership

78.2%

Avg Commute

37.2 min

Poverty Rate

6.3%

Median Age

43.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding T. Benton Gayle Middle has a median household income of $124,357. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $483,200, with a median rent of $1,895/month. The local poverty rate of 6.3% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 37 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
Battlefield Middle Fredericksburg, VA 7.1
J. Lupton Simpson Middle Leesburg, VA 7.1
Joseph T. Henley Middle Crozet, VA 7.1
Kate Collins Middle Waynesboro, VA 7.1
Liberty Middle Clifton, VA 7.1
Lois Hornsby Middle Williamsburg, VA 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about T. Benton Gayle Middle

What grades does T. Benton Gayle Middle serve?

T. Benton Gayle Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend T. Benton Gayle Middle?

T. Benton Gayle Middle has an enrollment of approximately 926 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at T. Benton Gayle Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at T. Benton Gayle Middle is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does T. Benton Gayle Middle rank in VA?

T. Benton Gayle Middle is ranked #631 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is T. Benton Gayle Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

T. Benton Gayle Middle has a composite rating of 7.1 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 T. Benton Gayle Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, T. Benton Gayle Middle has 75.5% math proficiency and 74.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is T. Benton Gayle Middle a charter school?

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

Is T. Benton Gayle Middle a Title I school?

No, T. Benton Gayle Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for T. Benton Gayle Middle?

39.5% of students at T. Benton Gayle 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
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,681/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fredericksburg). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
926
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
62
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize 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
#7 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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