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Average

#493 of 635 schools in WV

B-u Middle School

Middle School · UPSHUR COUNTY SCHOOLS

553 Route 20 South Rd, Buckhannon, WV 26201

Enrollment

742

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

5.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Buckhannon

#3 of 7

public schools

West Virginia middle schools

#75 of 109

In district

#4 of 9

UPSHUR COUNTY SCHOOLS

Academic growth

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About B-u Middle School

B-u Middle School serves grades six through eight in Buckhannon, a remote town in Upshur County, West Virginia. The school enrolls 742 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1 and a teaching staff of 49 full-time equivalent educators. Academically, B-u Middle is working through significant challenges.

The school's overall academic performance reflects substantial room for growth, with 24 percent of students meeting or exceeding proficiency in English language arts and 16 percent in mathematics across all grades. The school's state ranking places it in the lower percentile of West Virginia schools, indicating that students here face considerable academic hurdles. These results suggest the school is actively working to strengthen its instructional programs and support student learning in core subjects.

For families considering B-u Middle, it's worth understanding that the school serves a community with specific needs and is part of the broader Upshur County school system. The remote location of Buckhannon shapes the school's character and the resources available to its student body. Parents interested in the school should consider speaking directly with administrators about current initiatives to improve academic outcomes and what support systems are available for their students.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at B-u Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.02 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics2.4Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected-14.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
Resources & Environment3.7Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,738

B-u Middle School — Students at B-u Middle School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WV EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 15.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 24.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from WV state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
19%
2021*
Math
11%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
27%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How B-u Middle School Compares

See how B-u Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
23th percentile in WV
Academic
2.4/10
2.4/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
3.7/10
Below average

Location

553 Route 20 South Rd, Buckhannon, WV 26201

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering B-u Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. South Harrison Middle School (rated 7.7/10, 17.1 miles away, in nearby Lost Creek), which scores notably higher. Another option is Robert L. Bland Middle School (rated 4.5/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Weston), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Philippi Middle School (rated 4.0/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Philippi), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Buckhannon, see our Buckhannon schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Tennerton Elementary Buckhannon 0.6 mi 7.5
BUCKHANNON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Buckhannon 1.0 mi
Buckhannon Academy Elementary School Buckhannon 1.1 mi 6.0
Buckhannon Upshur High School Buckhannon 1.5 mi 3.3
Washington District Elementary Buckhannon 3.9 mi 4.0
Union Elementary School Buckhannon 3.4 mi 2.5
French Creek Elementary French Creek 6.4 mi 5.8
Hodgesville Elementary Buckhannon 7.0 mi 4.8
Rock Cave Elementary Rock Cave 10.3 mi 4.5
Peterson-Central Elementary School Weston 10.6 mi 6.3
Jane Lew Elementary School Jane Lew 13.7 mi 8.2
Robert L. Bland Middle School Weston 13.3 mi 4.5
ST PATRICK SCHOOL Weston 13.4 mi 6.7
Philippi Middle School Philippi 15.4 mi 4.0
Philippi Elementary School Philippi 15.4 mi 5.2
Lewis County High School Weston 13.7 mi 5.5
FEED MY SHEEP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Philippi 16.3 mi
Lost Creek Elementary School Lost Creek 17.1 mi 4.6
South Harrison Middle School Lost Creek 17.1 mi 7.7
South Harrison High School Lost Creek 17.2 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 26201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,597

Median Home Value

$162,600

Median Rent

$782/mo

Population

19,020

College Educated

18.5%

Homeownership

77%

Avg Commute

24.4 min

Poverty Rate

18.3%

Median Age

42.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding B-u Middle School has a median household income of $51,597. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $162,600, with a median rent of $782/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.3%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Edison Middle School Parkersburg, WV 5.0
Elkview Middle School Elkview, WV 5.0
Frankfort Middle School Ridgeley, WV 4.9
Chapmanville Middle School Chapmanville, WV 4.8
Eastern Greenbrier Middle School Ronceverte, WV 4.8
Charles Town Middle School Charles Town, WV 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about B-u Middle School

What grades does B-u Middle School serve?

B-u Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend B-u Middle School?

B-u Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 742 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at B-u Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at B-u Middle School is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does B-u Middle School rank in WV?

B-u Middle School is ranked #493 out of 635 schools in WV.

What is B-u Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

B-u Middle School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 B-u Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, B-u Middle School has 15.7% math proficiency and 24.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is B-u Middle School a charter school?

No, B-u Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is B-u Middle School a Title I school?

No, B-u Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (1,655/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Buckhannon). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
742
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Upshur County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

UPSHUR COUNTY SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
3,603
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,908
District Rank
#4 of 9

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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