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Needs Improvement

#268 of 280 schools in VT

White River Valley Middle School

Middle School · White River Unified School District #79

273 Pleasant Street, Bethel, VT 05032

Enrollment

126

Student-Teacher

7.4:1

Score

3.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bethel

#2 of 2

public schools

Vermont middle schools

#25 of 26

In district

#4 of 4

White River Unified School District #79

About White River Valley Middle School

White River Valley Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural community of Bethel, Vermont. Nestled on Pleasant Street with an enrollment of 126 students, it offers education for grades six through eight. The student-to-teacher ratio at White River Valley Middle School is 7.4:1, providing ample opportunities for personalized attention and support.

Despite its modest academic performance ranking (3.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout) and state ranking (#261 out of 280 schools in Vermont), the school focuses on fostering student development with a dedicated faculty of 17 full-time equivalent teachers. While proficiency rates in reading and math are relatively low at 42% and 17%, respectively, the community values the supportive environment that encourages growth and learning. Located in a remote rural area, White River Valley Middle School is part of a tight-knit neighborhood where students often participate in local events and activities that enrich their educational experience beyond the classroom.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 126 students, White River Valley Middle School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.4:1, White River Valley Middle School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, White River Valley Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-10 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected-5.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,341

White River Valley Middle School — Students at White River Valley Middle School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 17.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from VT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2021*
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
12%
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: 2.6/10.

How White River Valley Middle School Compares

See how White River Valley Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
5th percentile in VT
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
4.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

273 Pleasant Street, Bethel, VT 05032

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering White River Valley Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Randolph Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Randolph), which scores notably higher. Another option is Brookfield School (rated 8.6/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Brookfield), which scores notably higher. Additionally, KILLINGTON MOUNTAIN SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Killington), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bethel, see our Bethel schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Bethel Elementary School Bethel 0.0 mi 5.7
Randolph Union High School Randolph 6.8 mi 6.8
Stockbridge Central School Stockbridge 6.1 mi 6.5
Randolph Elementary School Randolph 7.0 mi 9.2
Barnard Academy Barnard 7.5 mi 7.7
VT ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND TECH, VT TECH COLLEGE Randolph Center 7.6 mi 6.2
White River Valley High School South Royalton 6.4 mi 6.4
South Royalton Elementary School South Royalton 6.4 mi 6.8
EAST VALLEY ACADEMY East Randolph 8.2 mi
Braintree School Braintree 9.3 mi 8.5
SHARON ACADEMY Sharon 8.6 mi 6.7
Rochester School Rochester 8.6 mi 4.2
Brookfield School Brookfield 12.8 mi 8.6
First Branch Elementary School Tunbridge 10.2 mi 8.2
Sharon Elementary School Sharon 9.9 mi 6.5
Prosper Valley School South Pomfret 13.7 mi 7.8
Killington Elementary School Killington 15.1 mi 6.9
Woodstock Union Middle/High School Woodstock 16.0 mi 7.4
Woodstock Elementary School Woodstock 15.9 mi 5.3
KILLINGTON MOUNTAIN SCHOOL Killington 15.4 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 05032 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,964

Median Home Value

$234,500

Median Rent

$1,287/mo

Population

2,879

College Educated

31.2%

Homeownership

77.1%

Avg Commute

26.2 min

Poverty Rate

3.1%

Median Age

39.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding White River Valley Middle School has a median household income of $86,964. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $234,500, with a median rent of $1,287/month. The local poverty rate of 3.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Orange Center School East Barre, VT 2.8
Winooski Middle School Winooski, VT 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about White River Valley Middle School

What grades does White River Valley Middle School serve?

White River Valley Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend White River Valley Middle School?

White River Valley Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 126 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at White River Valley Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at White River Valley Middle School is 7.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does White River Valley Middle School rank in VT?

White River Valley Middle School is ranked #268 out of 280 schools in VT.

What is White River Valley Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

White River Valley Middle School has a composite rating of 3.7 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 White River Valley Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, White River Valley Middle School has 17.0% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is White River Valley Middle School a charter school?

No, White River Valley Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is White River Valley Middle School a Title I school?

No, White River Valley Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for White River Valley Middle School?

65.9% of students at White River Valley 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

County Safety
Low (9/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
126
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Windsor County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

White River Unified School District #79
District Enrollment
619
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,612
District Rank
#4 of 4

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 methodology

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