Excellent
#212 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 11% in state
Union Middle
Middle School · Wise County Public Schools
3137 Second Avenue East, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
Enrollment
569
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
8.2
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
569
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
8.2
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Big Stone Gap
#1 of 3
public schools
Virginia middle schools
#50 of 340
In district
#3 of 11
Wise County Public Schools
Equity
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Union Middle
Union Middle is a public middle school in Big Stone Gap, VA, part of the Wise County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 569 students in grades 5th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 88.6th percentile among VA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 80% proficiency in math, 12 points above the state average and 81% in reading/language arts, 7 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $52,303, where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant town setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Union Middle — Students at Union Middle score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 14 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.1/10.
How Union Middle Compares
See how Union Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 89% (2019) to 100% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 80% (2019) to 83% (2025).
Location
3137 Second Avenue East, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Union Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. L.F. Addington Middle (rated 8.5/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Wise), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Whitesburg Middle School (rated 5.7/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Whitesburg), a more accessible option. Additionally, Rye Cove Intermediate (rated 5.6/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Clinchport), a more accessible option. For more schools in Big Stone Gap, see our Big Stone Gap schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Union Primary Big Stone Gap | 0.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Union High Big Stone Gap | 0.4 mi | 7.0 |
| J.I. Burton High Norton | 6.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Norton Elementary Norton | 7.4 mi | 5.4 |
| POWELL VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dryden | 8.7 mi | — |
| Central High Norton | 9.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Rye Cove High Duffield | 10.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Rye Cove Intermediate Clinchport | 10.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Arlie Boggs Elementary School Eolia | 12.2 mi | 3.7 |
| Wise Primary Wise | 10.7 mi | 8.1 |
| L.F. Addington Middle Wise | 10.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Duffield-Pattonsville Primary Duffield | 12.7 mi | 6.7 |
| MINNICK EDUCATION CENTER - WISE Wise | 11.3 mi | — |
| Dryden Elementary Dryden | 13.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Cowan Elementary School Whitesburg | 15.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Letcher County Alternative Education Ctr Whitesburg | 16.3 mi | — |
| Letcher County Central High School Whitesburg | 16.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Whitesburg Middle School Whitesburg | 17.2 mi | 5.7 |
| West Whitesburg Elementary School Whitesburg | 17.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Cumberland Elementary School Cumberland | 14.6 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24219 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$52,303
Median Home Value
$161,300
Median Rent
$808/mo
Population
10,416
College Educated
16.2%
Homeownership
70.2%
Poverty Rate
16.2%
Median Age
44
Community Profile
The community surrounding Union Middle has a median household income of $52,303. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,300, with a median rent of $808/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.2%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central Middle Charlotte Court House, VA | 8.2 |
| Glenvar Middle Salem, VA | 8.2 |
| Greenbrier Middle Chesapeake, VA | 8.2 |
| Francis W. Jones Magnet Middle Hampton, VA | 8.1 |
| Maury River Middle Lexington, VA | 8.1 |
| Peasley Middle Gloucester, VA | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Union Middle
What grades does Union Middle serve?
Union Middle serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Union Middle?
Union Middle has an enrollment of approximately 569 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Union Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Union Middle is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Union Middle rank in VA?
Union Middle is ranked #212 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Union Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Union Middle has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Union Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Union Middle has 79.6% math proficiency and 80.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Union Middle a charter school?
No, Union Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Union Middle a Title I school?
No, Union Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Union Middle?
93.5% of students at Union 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Big Stone Gap). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 569
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 46
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Wise County
- Phone
- (276) 523-0195
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wise County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,883
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,973
- District Rank
- #3 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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