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#182 of 280 schools in VT

First Branch Middle School

Middle School · First Branch Unified School District #82

6 School Street, Chelsea, VT 05038

Enrollment

92

Student-Teacher

7.1:1

Score

5.5

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Vermont schools

#182 of 280

In district

#2 of 2

First Branch Unified School District #82

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First Branch Middle School

5.5/10

Middle School in Chelsea · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Brookhaven Treatment & Learning Center

Nearby

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

First Branch Elementary School

8.1/10

5.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About First Branch Middle School

First Branch Middle School is a public middle school in Chelsea, VT, part of First Branch Unified School District #82. First Branch Middle School serves approximately 92 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 7.1:1 student-teacher ratio. First Branch Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #182 of 280 schools in VT.

Structured state assessment records for First Branch Middle School show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts below VT schools
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • VT avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 92 students, First Branch Middle School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 7.1:1 students to teachers, First Branch Middle School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

First Branch Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.3Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.73 pts/yr
Data Period2020–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-6.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
Resources & Environment6.6Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,798
Chronic Absenteeism15.2%

First Branch Middle School — Students at First Branch Middle School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 30.3% (multi-year average, 2020-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 40.3% (multi-year average, 2020-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from VT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2020*
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
37%

* 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: 5.3/10.

How First Branch Middle School Compares

See how First Branch Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
35th percentile in VT
Academic
5.0/10
Average
Growth
5.3/10
Average
Environment
6.6/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.2%

Location

6 School Street, Chelsea, VT 05038

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering First Branch Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Brookfield School (rated 8.8/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Brookfield), which scores notably higher. Another option is Washington Village School (rated 8.3/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Washington), which scores notably higher. Additionally, First Branch Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Tunbridge), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chelsea, see our Chelsea schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.2 mi
School Distance Rating
BROOKHAVEN TREATMENT & LEARNING CENTER Chelsea 0.5 mi
First Branch Elementary School Tunbridge 5.0 mi 8.1
EAST VALLEY ACADEMY East Randolph 6.5 mi
Washington Village School Washington 8.4 mi 8.3
Brookfield School Brookfield 8.2 mi 8.8
VT ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND TECH, VT TECH COLLEGE Randolph Center 8.5 mi 6.2
Orange Center School East Barre 11.4 mi 2.6
WEBSTERVILLE BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Websterville 11.6 mi 6.1
Williamstown Elementary School Williamstown 10.7 mi 4.1
Williamstown Middle/High School Williamstown 10.8 mi 5.5
Newton School South Strafford 11.2 mi 6.2
White River Valley High School South Royalton 12.1 mi 7.0
South Royalton Elementary School South Royalton 12.1 mi 7.6
Barre Town Elementary & Middle School Barre 12.7 mi 6.7
SHARON ACADEMY Sharon 13.8 mi 6.7
Westshire Elementary School West Fairlee 10.7 mi 4.5
Sharon Elementary School Sharon 14.0 mi 4.8
Barre City Elementary/Middle School Barre 14.0 mi 5.9
Waits River Valley Union School East Corinth 11.2 mi 6.6
Spaulding Union High School Barre 14.2 mi 3.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 05038 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,057

Median Home Value

$229,900

Median Rent

$1,194/mo

Population

1,301

College Educated

34.3%

Homeownership

85.4%

Avg Commute

25.3 min

Poverty Rate

14.3%

Median Age

51.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about First Branch Middle School

What grades does First Branch Middle School serve?

First Branch Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend First Branch Middle School?

First Branch Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 92 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at First Branch Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at First Branch Middle School is 7.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does First Branch Middle School rank in VT?

First Branch Middle School ranks #182 of 280 schools in VT.

What is First Branch Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

First Branch Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 First Branch Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, First Branch Middle School has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022).

Is First Branch Middle School a charter school?

No, First Branch Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is First Branch Middle School a Title I school?

No, First Branch Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for First Branch Middle School?

50.0% of students at First Branch Middle School 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
31 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Orange County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.2%

District

First Branch Unified School District #82
District Enrollment
312
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,798
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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