Needs Improvement
#623 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
3.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
221
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
3.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
West Virginia middle schools
#109 of 109
In district
#9 of 9
MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS
About Sandy River Middle School
Sandy River Middle School in Avondale, West Virginia, is a public middle school serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 221 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1, the school has 15 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education. Sandy River Middle School stands out for its commitment despite facing challenges in academic performance; it ranks near the bottom among West Virginia schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 1.8/10 and an academic score of 1.5/10.
In terms of proficiency, only 35% of students meet or exceed standards in English Language Arts, while just 16% do so in math. Located in a remote rural setting, Sandy River Middle School serves a community where the focus is on student development and growth. The school continues to work towards improving its academic outcomes for all its students.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Sandy River 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
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Sandy River Middle School — Students at Sandy River Middle School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.4%
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
→ 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: 2.2/10.
How Sandy River Middle School Compares
See how Sandy River Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 21% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 40% (2021) to 30% (2022).
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. Fall River Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Big Sandy), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hurley Elementary/Middle (rated 7.9/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Hurley), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pineville Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Pineville), 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 | 7.3 |
| Bradshaw Elementary School Bradshaw | 4.1 mi | 4.1 |
| River View High School Bradshaw | 4.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Fall River Elementary School Big Sandy | 5.4 mi | 8.7 |
| Southside K-8 War | 10.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Huff Cons Elementary & Middle School Hanover | 11.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Baileysville Elementary & Middle School Brenton | 13.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Hurley Elementary/Middle Hurley | 11.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Hurley High Hurley | 11.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Twin Valley High Pilgrim Knob | 14.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Welch Elementary School Welch | 12.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Mount View High School Welch | 13.6 mi | 3.6 |
| Gilbert Pk8 Gilbert | 16.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Westside High School Clear Fork | 17.8 mi | 5.2 |
| KEEN MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Oakwood | 18.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Twin Valley Elementary/Middle Oakwood | 18.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Kimball Elementary School Kimball | 16.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Pineville Middle School Pineville | 17.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Pineville Elementary School Pineville | 17.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Grundy High Grundy | 17.6 mi | 5.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sandy River Middle School has a median household income of $61,895. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,300. The area has a poverty rate of 19.7%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Dunbar Middle School Dunbar, WV | 4.0 |
| East Bank Middle School East Bank, WV | 4.0 |
| Philippi Middle School Philippi, WV | 4.0 |
| Richwood Middle School Richwood, WV | 4.0 |
| Western Greenbrier Middle School Crawley, WV | 4.0 |
| Van Devender Middle School Parkersburg, WV | 4.6 |
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 is ranked #623 out of 635 schools in WV.
What is Sandy River Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sandy River Middle School has a composite rating of 3.2 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 Sandy River Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sandy River Middle School has 15.7% math proficiency and 35.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
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
- Phone
- (304) 967-5364
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 2,444
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,682
- District Rank
- #9 of 9
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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