Average
#285 of 635 schools in WV
Top 45% in state
Independence Middle School
Middle School · Raleigh County Schools · Sophia, WV
A Raleigh County Schools middle school where students score 8 points above what's typical for similar communities.
PO Box 1171, Sophia, WV 25921
- Math 44% vs WV 33% (2025)
- Reading 56% vs WV 45% (2025)
- 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Independence Middle School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
2025 WVGSA proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. WV average.
Trend
↑ ImprovingProficiency has improved 7 points since 2021, reaching 50% in 2025, across a 17-year record (2009–2025).
Show all 16 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 36% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 50% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 37 test records from WV state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Independence Middle School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 5Car-Dependent
- County Safety: Elevated968/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · county context, not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. A newer release may be available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$34,184
Median home value
$99,600
Median rent
$814/mo
College educated
11.6%
Homeownership
58.9%
Poverty rate
20.6%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 25921; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 in RALEIGH COUNTY SCHOOLS
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beckley-stratton Middle SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 5.7 | 6–8 | Not available | 634 | Compare → |
| Park Middle SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 6.9 | 6–8 | Not available | 411 | Compare → |
| Shady Spring Middle SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 7.1 | 6–8 | Not available | 606 | Compare → |
| Trap Hill Middle SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 7.3 | 6–8 | Not available | 347 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Raleigh County Schools
- Schools in district
- 27
- Rank in district
- #14 of 26
- District spending per student
- $13,305NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 25.3%Census SAIPE · 2024
Independence Middle School is listed in RALEIGH COUNTY SCHOOLS; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Independence Middle School
Independence Middle School is a public middle school in Sophia, WV, part of Raleigh County Schools, serving approximately 444 students in grades 6th-8th with a 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #285 of 635 schools in WV. State assessment records show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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 ranks #285 of 635 schools in WV.
What is Independence Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Independence Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Independence Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Independence Middle School has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 444
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Raleigh County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 48.6%
- Phone
- (304) 683-4542
- Area population (ZIP 25921)
- 2,820
- Area median age
- 43.1
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 WVGSA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 WVGSA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- State assessments · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 25921; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.