Average
#267 of 635 schools in WV
Top 42% in state
Independence Middle School
Middle School · RALEIGH COUNTY SCHOOLS
PO Box 1171, Sophia, WV 25921
Enrollment
444
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
6.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
444
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
6.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sophia
#1 of 3
public schools
West Virginia middle schools
#31 of 109
In district
#16 of 26
RALEIGH COUNTY SCHOOLS
Academic performance
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Independence Middle School
Independence Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural setting of Sophia, West Virginia. The school serves students in grades six through eight and has an enrollment of 444 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1. Teachers are well-supported with 34 full-time equivalents on staff.
Academically, Independence Middle School ranks at the 62nd percentile among West Virginia schools, placing it in the middle range when compared to other state schools. The school's MySchoolScout Rating is 6.1 out of 10 and its academic score is 7.3/10, indicating there is room for improvement in certain areas. In ELA and reading, 51% of students are proficient or above, while in math, that number drops to 33%.
These scores suggest the school is focusing on student development across various subjects. The rural setting near Sophia offers a close-knit community atmosphere, where Independence Middle School plays an important role in providing educational support and opportunities for its students.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Independence 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Independence Middle School — Students at Independence Middle School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WV EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from WV state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 6.1/10.
How Independence Middle School Compares
See how Independence Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 34% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 52% (2021) to 50% (2022).
Location
PO Box 1171, Sophia, WV 25921
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Independence Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Park Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Beckley), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Shady Spring Middle School (rated 7.2/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Shady Spring), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Beckley-Stratton Middle School (rated 6.3/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Beckley), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Sophia, see our Sophia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Independence High School Sophia | 0.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Coal City Elementary Coal City | 0.3 mi | 8.0 |
| HOUSE OF PRAYER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sophia | 1.3 mi | — |
| SOPHIA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sophia | 2.1 mi | — |
| Ridgeview Elementary Sophia | 2.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Hollywood Elementary Beckley | 5.2 mi | 8.7 |
| Mabscott Elementary Mabscott | 5.3 mi | 7.1 |
| ST FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL Beckley | 5.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Park Middle School Beckley | 5.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Stratton Elementary Beckley | 5.6 mi | 3.5 |
| Crescent Elementary Beckley | 6.3 mi | 8.6 |
| MT TABOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Beckley | 6.7 mi | — |
| Beckley Elementary Beckley | 7.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Beckley-Stratton Middle School Beckley | 7.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Maxwell Hill Elementary Beckley | 7.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Woodrow Wilson High School Beckley | 7.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Shady Spring Middle School Shady Spring | 6.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Shady Spring Elementary Shady Spring | 6.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Daniels Elementary Daniels | 7.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Cranberry-Prosperity Elementary Beckley | 8.8 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 25921 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$34,184
Median Home Value
$99,600
Median Rent
$814/mo
Population
2,820
College Educated
11.6%
Homeownership
58.9%
Poverty Rate
20.6%
Median Age
43.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Independence Middle School has a median household income of $34,184. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $99,600, with a median rent of $814/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Andrew Jackson Middle School Charleston, WV | 6.8 |
| Ravenswood Middle School Ravenswood, WV | 6.8 |
| Moundsville Middle School Moundsville, WV | 7.0 |
| Princeton Middle School Princeton, WV | 7.0 |
| Bridgeport Middle School Bridgeport, WV | 7.1 |
| Trap Hill Middle School Glen Daniel, WV | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Independence Middle School
What grades does Independence Middle School serve?
Independence Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Independence Middle School?
Independence Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 444 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Independence Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Independence Middle School is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Independence Middle School rank in WV?
Independence Middle School is ranked #267 out of 635 schools in WV.
What is Independence Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Independence Middle School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Independence Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Independence Middle School has 33.0% math proficiency and 51.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Independence Middle School a charter school?
No, Independence Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Independence Middle School a Title I school?
No, Independence Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (968/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 444
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Raleigh County
- Phone
- (304) 683-4542
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
RALEIGH COUNTY SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 10,604
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,305
- District Rank
- #16 of 26
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.
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