Excellent
#248 of 1,851 schools in VA
Top 13% 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
8.3
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
569
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
8.3
Grades
5th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia schools
#248 of 1,851
In Big Stone Gap
#2 of 3
public schools
In district
#9 of 11
Wise County Public Schools
Equity
9.5 / 10
Excellent
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Union Middle
Middle School in Big Stone Gap · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Union Primary
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Union High
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Union Middle
Union Middle is a public middle school in Big Stone Gap, VA, part of Wise County Public Schools. Union Middle serves approximately 569 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Union Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #248 of 1,851 schools in VA.
Structured state assessment records for Union Middle show 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.3 · Excellent
- District avg 9.0
- VA avg 5.9
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Union Middle — Students at Union Middle score 81% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
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 35 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: 7.9/10.
How Union Middle Compares
See how Union Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 9.4/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Wise), which scores notably higher. Another option is Whitesburg Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Whitesburg), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Rye Cove Intermediate (rated 6.2/10, 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 | 9.1 |
| Union High Big Stone Gap | 0.4 mi | 8.0 |
| J.I. Burton High Norton | 6.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Norton Elementary Norton | 7.4 mi | 8.4 |
| POWELL VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dryden | 8.7 mi | — |
| Central High Norton | 9.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Rye Cove High Duffield | 10.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Rye Cove Intermediate Clinchport | 10.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Arlie Boggs Elementary School Eolia | 12.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Wise Primary Wise | 10.7 mi | 8.9 |
| L.F. Addington Middle Wise | 10.8 mi | 9.4 |
| Duffield-Pattonsville Primary Duffield | 12.7 mi | 8.2 |
| MINNICK EDUCATION CENTER - WISE Wise | 11.3 mi | — |
| Dryden Elementary Dryden | 13.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Cowan Elementary School Whitesburg | 15.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Letcher County Alternative Education Ctr Whitesburg | 16.3 mi | — |
| Letcher County Central High School Whitesburg | 16.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Whitesburg Middle School Whitesburg | 17.2 mi | 7.5 |
| West Whitesburg Elementary School Whitesburg | 17.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Cumberland Elementary School Cumberland | 14.6 mi | 6.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Dan River Middle Ringgold, VA | 8.3 |
| Page Middle Gloucester, VA | 8.3 |
| Mary Ellen Henderson Middle Falls Church, VA | 8.4 |
| Cave Spring Middle Roanoke, VA | 8.2 |
| John Yeates Middle Suffolk, VA | 8.2 |
| Hidden Valley Middle Roanoke, VA | 8.0 |
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 ranks #248 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is Union Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Union Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 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 Union Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Union Middle has 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 7.9%
- Phone
- (276) 523-0195
Resources & Links
District
Wise County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,883
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,973
- District Rank
- #9 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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