Average
#1039 of 1,850 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
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
669
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dayton
#1 of 2
public schools
Virginia middle schools
#219 of 340
In district
#8 of 23
Rockingham County Public Schools
School environment
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Wilbur S. Pence Middle
Wilbur S. Pence Middle is a regular public middle school in Dayton, Virginia, nestled in Rockingham County. The school serves students from sixth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 669 students, with a student-teacher ratio of 12.6:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention.
With 53 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Wilbur S. Pence Middle focuses on providing a supportive learning environment. The school’s MySchoolScout Rating is 3.6 out of 10, placing it in the 18th percentile among Virginia schools, with an academic score of 3.4/10.
In terms of standardized test performance, 64% of students are proficient or above in ELA and reading, while 63% meet proficiency standards in math. These results indicate that there is room for continued growth and development in the school's academic programs. Wilbur S.
Pence Middle is situated in a small suburban area, offering a close-knit community feel where teachers and students work together to enhance learning experiences and foster personal growth.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Wilbur S. Pence Middle — Students at Wilbur S. Pence Middle score 81% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 81%).
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 12 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: 4.8/10.
How Wilbur S. Pence Middle Compares
See how Wilbur S. Pence Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 80% (2019) to 100% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 62% (2025).
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 6.0/10, 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 | 4.1 |
| 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 | 5.6 |
| Pleasant Valley Elementary Harrisonburg | 2.4 mi | 3.2 |
| Mountain View Elementary Harrisonburg | 2.9 mi | 4.1 |
| Bluestone Elementary Harrisonburg | 2.8 mi | 4.3 |
| 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 | 6.0 |
| Keister Elementary Harrisonburg | 3.5 mi | 7.3 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Rockingham | 4.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Stone Spring Elementary Harrisonburg | 3.7 mi | 2.6 |
| Waterman Elementary Harrisonburg | 4.5 mi | 2.6 |
| EASTERN MENNONITE SCHOOL Harrisonburg | 5.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Spotswood Elementary Harrisonburg | 4.8 mi | 6.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Wilbur S. Pence Middle has a median household income of $81,667. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $252,000, with a median rent of $979/month. The local poverty rate of 5.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Freedom Middle Fredericksburg, VA | 6.2 |
| Robert E. Aylor Middle White Post, VA | 6.2 |
| Stone Middle Centreville, VA | 6.2 |
| William H. Wetsel Middle Madison, VA | 6.2 |
| Wilson Middle Fishersville, VA | 6.2 |
| Crestwood Middle Chesapeake, VA | 6.3 |
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 is ranked #1039 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Wilbur S. Pence Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Wilbur S. Pence Middle has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Wilbur S. Pence Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wilbur S. Pence Middle has 69.0% math proficiency and 63.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- County Safety
- Average (376/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (540) 879-2535
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Rockingham County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,534
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,743
- District Rank
- #8 of 23
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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