Below Average
#551 of 635 schools in WV
Sandy River Middle School
Middle School · MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS
PO Box 419, Avondale, WV 24811
Enrollment
221
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
4.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
221
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
4.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
West Virginia schools
#551 of 635
In district
#4 of 9
MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS
Academic growth
7.6 / 10
Very Good
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Sandy River Middle School
Middle School in Avondale · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Iaeger Elementary School
3.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bradshaw Elementary School
4.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Sandy River Middle School
Sandy River Middle School is a public middle school in Avondale, WV, part of MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS. Sandy River Middle School serves approximately 221 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Sandy River Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #551 of 635 schools in WV.
Structured state assessment records for Sandy River Middle School show 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.3 · Below Average
- WV avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Sandy River Middle School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Sandy River Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
81% of students at Sandy River Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Sandy River Middle School — Students at Sandy River Middle School score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Test Scores WV WVGSA (2024-25)
Based on 37 test records from WV state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.6/10.
How Sandy River Middle School Compares
See how Sandy River Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
PO Box 419, Avondale, WV 24811
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sandy River Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Twin Valley Elementary/Middle (rated 8.5/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Oakwood), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pineville Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Pineville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fall River Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Big Sandy), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Avondale, see our Avondale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Iaeger Elementary School Iaeger | 3.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Bradshaw Elementary School Bradshaw | 4.1 mi | 3.1 |
| River View High School Bradshaw | 4.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Fall River Elementary School Big Sandy | 5.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Southside K-8 War | 10.1 mi | 2.7 |
| Huff Cons Elementary & Middle School Hanover | 11.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Baileysville Elementary & Middle School Brenton | 13.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Hurley Elementary/Middle Hurley | 11.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Hurley High Hurley | 11.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Twin Valley High Pilgrim Knob | 14.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Welch Elementary School Welch | 12.6 mi | 3.1 |
| Mount View High School Welch | 13.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Gilbert Pk8 Gilbert | 16.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Westside High School Clear Fork | 17.8 mi | 4.3 |
| KEEN MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Oakwood | 18.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Twin Valley Elementary/Middle Oakwood | 18.0 mi | 8.5 |
| Kimball Elementary School Kimball | 16.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Pineville Middle School Pineville | 17.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Pineville Elementary School Pineville | 17.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Grundy High Grundy | 17.6 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24811 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,895
Median Home Value
$164,300
Population
310
College Educated
28.7%
Homeownership
62.8%
Poverty Rate
19.7%
Median Age
53.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Pineville Middle School Pineville, WV | 4.4 |
| Richwood Middle School Richwood, WV | 4.4 |
| Western Greenbrier Middle School Crawley, WV | 4.4 |
| Guyan Valley Middle Branchland, WV | 4.5 |
| Oceana Middle School Oceana, WV | 3.8 |
| Vinson Middle School Huntington, WV | 5.7 |
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- 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
Resources & Links
District
MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 2,444
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,682
- District Rank
- #4 of 9
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