Below Average
#551 of 635 schools in WV
Sandy River Middle School
Middle School · Mcdowell County Schools · Avondale, WV
A Mcdowell County Schools middle school where students score 14 points below what's typical for similar communities.
PO Box 419, Avondale, WV 24811
- Math 7% vs WV 33% (2025)
- Reading 34% vs WV 45% (2025)
- 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Sandy River Middle School score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
2025 WVGSA proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. WV average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 7 points since 2021, to 21% in 2025, across a 17-year record (2009–2025).
Show all 16 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 20% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 35% (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 Sandy River 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 3Car-Dependent
- Bike 1Somewhat Bikeable
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Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$61,895
Median home value
$164,300
College educated
28.7%
Homeownership
62.8%
Poverty rate
19.7%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 24811; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
0 from verified nearby records
No verified same-level alternatives
The available nearby set has no same-level school with a verified grade span.
Mcdowell County Schools
- Schools in district
- 10
- Rank in district
- #4 of 9
- District spending per student
- $15,682NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 37.2%Census SAIPE · 2024
Sandy River Middle School is listed in MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Sandy River Middle School
Sandy River Middle School is a public middle school in Avondale, WV, part of Mcdowell County Schools, serving approximately 221 students in grades 6th-8th with a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #551 of 635 schools in WV. State assessment records show 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Sandy River Middle School
What grades does Sandy River Middle School serve?
Sandy River Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Sandy River Middle School?
Sandy River Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 221 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sandy River Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sandy River Middle School is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sandy River Middle School rank in WV?
Sandy River Middle School ranks #551 of 635 schools in WV.
What is Sandy River Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sandy River Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 Sandy River Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Sandy River Middle School has 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Sandy River Middle School a charter school?
No, Sandy River Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sandy River Middle School a Title I school?
No, Sandy River Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 221
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- McDowell County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 81.4%
- Phone
- (304) 967-5364
- Area population (ZIP 24811)
- 310
- Area median age
- 53.1
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 24811; 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
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