Average
#1378 of 1,851 schools in VA
Wilbur S. Pence Middle
Middle School · Rockingham County Public Schools
375 Bowman Road, Dayton, VA 22821
Enrollment
669
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
5.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
669
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
5.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia schools
#1,378 of 1,851
In Dayton
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#7 of 23
Rockingham County Public Schools
School environment
8.0 / 10
Excellent
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Wilbur S. Pence Middle
Middle School in Dayton · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hickory Hollow Christian School
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Oak Lane School
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Wilbur S. Pence Middle
Wilbur S. Pence Middle is a public middle school in Dayton, VA, part of Rockingham County Public Schools. Wilbur S.
Pence Middle serves approximately 669 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Wilbur S. Pence Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,378 of 1,851 schools in VA.
Structured state assessment records for Wilbur S. Pence Middle show 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.0 · Average
- District avg 5.2
- VA avg 5.9
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Wilbur S. Pence Middle — Students at Wilbur S. Pence Middle score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 79%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 33 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.1/10.
How Wilbur S. Pence Middle Compares
See how Wilbur S. Pence 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
375 Bowman Road, Dayton, VA 22821
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Wilbur S. Pence Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Thomas Harrison Middle (rated 5.2/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Harrisonburg), with a very similar rating. Another option is MOUNTAIN VIEW MENNONITE SCHOOL (rated 3.2/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, RIVERSIDE SCHOOL (rated 2.9/10, 3.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Dayton, see our Dayton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HICKORY HOLLOW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dayton | 1.1 mi | 4.0 |
| OAK LANE SCHOOL Harrisonburg | 1.3 mi | — |
| Turner Ashby High Bridgewater | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| John W. Wayland Elementary Bridgewater | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| MOUNTAIN VIEW MENNONITE SCHOOL Dayton | 1.8 mi | 3.2 |
| BEREA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Harrisonburg | 2.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Harrisonburg High Harrisonburg | 2.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Pleasant Valley Elementary Harrisonburg | 2.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Mountain View Elementary Harrisonburg | 2.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Bluestone Elementary Harrisonburg | 2.8 mi | 3.9 |
| BLUE RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bridgewater | 2.9 mi | 5.3 |
| RIVERSIDE SCHOOL Dayton | 3.0 mi | 2.9 |
| EDGEWOOD SCHOOL Dayton | 3.2 mi | 2.0 |
| Thomas Harrison Middle Harrisonburg | 3.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Keister Elementary Harrisonburg | 3.5 mi | 3.5 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Rockingham | 4.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Stone Spring Elementary Harrisonburg | 3.7 mi | 2.7 |
| Waterman Elementary Harrisonburg | 4.5 mi | 2.7 |
| EASTERN MENNONITE SCHOOL Harrisonburg | 5.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Spotswood Elementary Harrisonburg | 4.8 mi | 3.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 22821 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,667
Median Home Value
$252,000
Median Rent
$979/mo
Population
6,074
College Educated
22.9%
Homeownership
76.3%
Avg Commute
21.3 min
Poverty Rate
5.7%
Median Age
39.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Christiansburg Middle Christiansburg, VA | 5.0 |
| Floyd T. Binns Middle Culpeper, VA | 5.0 |
| Smart's Mill Middle Leesburg, VA | 5.0 |
| William E. Waters Middle Portsmouth, VA | 5.0 |
| Dinwiddie County Middle Dinwiddie, VA | 4.9 |
| Donald B. Dixon-Lyle R. Smith Middle Fredericksburg, VA | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Wilbur S. Pence Middle
What grades does Wilbur S. Pence Middle serve?
Wilbur S. Pence Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Wilbur S. Pence Middle?
Wilbur S. Pence Middle has an enrollment of approximately 669 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Wilbur S. Pence Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Wilbur S. Pence Middle is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Wilbur S. Pence Middle rank in VA?
Wilbur S. Pence Middle ranks #1,378 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is Wilbur S. Pence Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Wilbur S. Pence Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 Wilbur S. Pence Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Wilbur S. Pence Middle has 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Wilbur S. Pence Middle a charter school?
No, Wilbur S. Pence Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Wilbur S. Pence Middle a Title I school?
No, Wilbur S. Pence Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wilbur S. Pence Middle?
41.6% of students at Wilbur S. Pence 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 669
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Rockingham County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 15.8%
- Phone
- (540) 879-2535
Resources & Links
District
Rockingham County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,534
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,743
- District Rank
- #7 of 23
Other Schools in This District
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