Central Academy Middle

Summary:

Central Academy Middle is a public middle school in Fincastle, VA, serving 369 students in grades 6-8. This school stands out for its consistently high academic performance, with students consistently outperforming state and district averages on standardized tests.

Central Academy Middle has a unique student population, with over 90% of students identifying as white, compared to the more diverse nearby schools like Hidden Valley Middle and James Madison Middle. However, the school also serves a significant population of low-socioeconomic status students, with over 40% qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Despite this diversity, Central Academy Middle excels, ranking highly for the performance of specific student subgroups, such as female students and students with disabilities.

Compared to nearby schools, Central Academy Middle stands out for its academic excellence, lower student-teacher ratio, and higher per-student spending. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the school had 100% proficiency in Geometry and Algebra I for 8th grade, while the nearby Read Mountain Middle had 100% and 100% proficiency, respectively, and other nearby schools had lower proficiency rates. This consistent high performance has earned Central Academy Middle a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger and a ranking in the top 50 middle schools in Botetourt County Public Schools, which is ranked 6th out of 130 districts in Virginia.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 367 Poor Farm Rd
       Fincastle, VA  24090


(540) 473-8333

District: Botetourt County Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
36th of 417 Virginia Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,705 Help


Students who attend Central Academy Middle usually attend:

High:    James River High

Feeder schools for Central Academy Middle:

Elementary:    Breckinridge Elementary
    Buchanan Elementary
    Eagle Rock Elementary

Student/teacher ratio:  11.4 Help
Number of students:  362

Racial breakdown:

White:
90.9%
Two or more races:
5.2%
Hispanic:
2.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  40.3% Help


 See top rated Virginia middle schools

 Compare Central Academy Middle to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Central Academy Middle ranks better than 91.4% of middle schools in Virginia. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 82.5. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (90.9%), two or more races (5.2%), Hispanic (2.5%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 40.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Central Academy Middle is 11.4. (See more...)
Help
Compare Central Academy Middle employs 31.4 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Central Academy Middle is $10,705.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Central Academy Middle:

SchoolDigger ranks Central Academy Middle 36th of 417 Virginia public middle schools. (See Central Academy Middle in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Disabled students:
Male students:
White students:


Botetourt County Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Botetourt County Public Schools 6th of 130 Virginia school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Central Academy Middle?

Rank History for Central Academy Middle

Help
Compare

Rank History for all students at Central Academy Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 51.19 197th 340 42.1%
2006 68.61 70th 383 81.7%
2007 64.97 97th 387 74.9%
2008 65.23 99th 391 74.7%
2009 59.77 126th 390 67.7%
2010 65.48 96th 408 76.5%
2011 72.39 56th 413 86.4%
2012 73.54 50th 413 87.9%
2013 78.17 41st 416 90.1%
2014 76.83 47th 416 88.7%
2015 79.15 40th 412 90.3%
2016 77.49 53rd 409 87.0%
2017 76.42 53rd 415 87.2%
2018 73.45 67th 413 83.8%
2019 65.65 115th 424 72.9%
2021 82.54 25th 419 94.0%
2022 78.82 48th 415 88.4%
2023 83.16 36th 422 91.5%
2024 82.50 36th 417 91.4%
See the entire list of Virginia Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Central Academy Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 88.94 16th 402 96.0%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Central Academy Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 80.80 43rd 411 89.5%
2024 83.69 25th 407 93.9%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Central Academy Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 85.18 24th 278 91.4%
2024 85.44 21st 281 92.5%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Central Academy Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 83.84 32nd 409 92.2%
2024 81.03 46th 407 88.7%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Central Academy Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 71.63 89th 402 77.9%
2024 68.64 103rd 396 74.0%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Virginia Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Central Academy Middle Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Virginia Department of Education

We're sorry, but no reviews have been submitted for Central Academy Middle.

If you have first-hand knowledge about Central Academy Middle, submit a rating!


Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!


Enrollment information for Central Academy Middle

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 640 640
1990 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 621 621
1991 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 604 604
1992 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 620 620
1993 646 29 2 0 1 n/a n/a 0 678
1994 645 31 2 1 1 n/a n/a 0 680
1995 654 20 2 2 0 n/a n/a 0 678
1996 654 20 2 2 0 n/a n/a 0 678
1997 519 12 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 533
1998 517 16 3 4 0 n/a n/a 0 540
1999 562 14 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 578
2000 519 21 3 0 0 n/a n/a -4 539
2001 393 14 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 409
2002 396 12 0 0 3 n/a n/a 0 411
2003 396 12 0 0 3 n/a n/a 0 411
2004 372 9 0 3 5 n/a n/a 2 391
2005 400 8 0 5 3 n/a n/a 6 422
2006 391 7 0 6 1 n/a n/a 4 409
2007 405 8 0 4 3 n/a n/a 7 427
2008 396 10 1 3 1 n/a n/a 4 415
2009 438 10 0 2 1 n/a n/a 4 455
2010 442 12 0 6 1 n/a n/a 4 465
2011 456 1 0 7 0 0 0 0 464
2012 425 14 1 8 0 0 15 0 463
2013 431 8 2 2 0 0 11 0 454
2014 433 5 3 5 1 0 11 0 458
2015 448 4 2 5 1 0 9 0 469
2016 395 5 2 3 2 0 8 0 415
2017 378 8 2 8 3 0 7 0 406
2018 366 6 3 5 1 0 7 0 388
2019 366 4 2 9 0 1 7 0 389
2020 347 5 0 10 0 0 10 0 372
2021 345 5 2 8 0 0 12 0 372
2022 326 8 1 5 0 0 17 0 357
2023 340 7 0 6 0 0 16 0 369
2024 329 4 0 9 1 0 19 0 362

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Central Academy Middle

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 640 37.9 16.8 n/a
1990 621 38.5 16.1 n/a
1991 604 37.9 15.9 n/a
1992 620 38.6 16.0 n/a
1993 678 39.9 17.0 n/a
1994 680 35.2 n/a 10.1
1995 678 n/a 0.0 5.6
1996 678 n/a 0.0 5.6
1997 533 n/a 0.0 12.4
1998 540 n/a 0.0 12.4
1999 578 39.0 14.8 14.4
2000 539 n/a 0.0 16.2
2001 409 36.0 11.4 17.6
2002 411 41.0 10.0 20.9
2003 411 41.0 10.0 20.9
2004 391 34.0 11.5 22.9
2005 422 32.0 13.2 22.6
2006 409 37.0 11.1 19.3
2007 427 28.9 14.8 16.9
2008 415 23.3 17.8 21.9
2009 455 23.0 19.8 24.8
2010 465 21.6 21.4 29.9
2011 464 22.4 20.6 25.4
2012 463 34.0 13.6 28.1
2013 454 34.7 13.0 21.8
2014 458 34.9 13.1 26.9
2015 469 36.0 13.0 28.6
2016 415 35.0 11.8 25.1
2017 406 33.0 12.2 26.4
2018 388 31.9 12.1 29.9
2019 389 32.3 12.0 29.8
2020 372 30.4 12.2 30.1
2021 372 30.8 12.0 n/a
2022 357 31.5 11.3 31.4
2023 369 31.2 11.8 42.3
2024 362 31.4 11.4 40.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Central Academy Middle

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 640 37.9 16.8 n/a
1990 621 38.5 16.1 n/a
1991 604 37.9 15.9 n/a
1992 620 38.6 16.0 n/a
1993 678 39.9 17.0 n/a
1994 680 35.2 n/a 10.1
1995 678 n/a 0.0 5.6
1996 678 n/a 0.0 5.6
1997 533 n/a 0.0 12.4
1998 540 n/a 0.0 12.4
1999 578 39.0 14.8 14.4
2000 539 n/a 0.0 16.2
2001 409 36.0 11.4 17.6
2002 411 41.0 10.0 20.9
2003 411 41.0 10.0 20.9
2004 391 34.0 11.5 22.9
2005 422 32.0 13.2 22.6
2006 409 37.0 11.1 19.3
2007 427 28.9 14.8 16.9
2008 415 23.3 17.8 21.9
2009 455 23.0 19.8 24.8
2010 465 21.6 21.4 29.9
2011 464 22.4 20.6 25.4
2012 463 34.0 13.6 28.1
2013 454 34.7 13.0 21.8
2014 458 34.9 13.1 26.9
2015 469 36.0 13.0 28.6
2016 415 35.0 11.8 25.1
2017 406 33.0 12.2 26.4
2018 388 31.9 12.1 29.9
2019 389 32.3 12.0 29.8
2020 372 30.4 12.2 30.1
2021 372 30.8 12.0 n/a
2022 357 31.5 11.3 31.4
2023 369 31.2 11.8 42.3
2024 362 31.4 11.4 40.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Central Academy Middle

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $292 (3.3%) $8,533 (96.7%) $8,825
2020 $359 (3.6%) $9,550 (96.4%) $9,909
2021 $457 (4.3%) $10,247 (95.7%) $10,705

Data source: Virginia Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Central Academy Middle

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 115th of 424 Middle schoolsRanks 36th of 422 Middle schools
 18.6%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade Mathematics (Central Academy Middle)8987.8
 1.2%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Botetourt County Public Schools)8585.2
 0.2%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Virginia)7857.8
 20.2%
6th Grade English Reading (Central Academy Middle)8586.2
 1.2%
   6th Grade English Reading (Botetourt County Public Schools)8682.8
 3.2%
   6th Grade English Reading (Virginia)7770.4
 6.6%
7th Grade Mathematics (Central Academy Middle)9591.6
 3.4%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Botetourt County Public Schools)8986
 3%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Virginia)7851.4
 26.6%
7th Grade English Reading (Central Academy Middle)8586.8
 1.8%
   7th Grade English Reading (Botetourt County Public Schools)8683.4
 2.6%
   7th Grade English Reading (Virginia)7970.3
 8.7%
8th Grade Writing (Central Academy Middle)6763.3
 3.7%
   8th Grade Writing (Botetourt County Public Schools)7263.7
 8.3%
   8th Grade Writing (Virginia)7055.5
 14.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Central Academy Middle)8988
 1%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Botetourt County Public Schools)8280.3
 1.7%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Virginia)7748.4
 28.6%
8th Grade Science (Central Academy Middle)8069.2
 10.8%
   8th Grade Science (Botetourt County Public Schools)8169.3
 11.8%
   8th Grade Science (Virginia)7860.7
 17.3%
8th Grade English Reading (Central Academy Middle)7679.2
 3.2%
   8th Grade English Reading (Botetourt County Public Schools)7979.8
 0.8%
   8th Grade English Reading (Virginia)7670.7
 5.3%
End of Course Geometry (Central Academy Middle)100100
   End of Course Geometry (Botetourt County Public Schools)8993
 4%
   End of Course Geometry (Virginia)8380
 3%
End of Course Algebra I (Central Academy Middle)95100
 5%
   End of Course Algebra I (Botetourt County Public Schools)9491
 3%
   End of Course Algebra I (Virginia)8680
 6%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students389369
 5.1%
African American47
 75%
American Indian00
Asian20
 100%
Hispanic96
 33.3%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White366340
 7.1%
Two or More Races716
 128.6%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients29.8%42.3%
 12.5%


Schools Near Central Academy Middle









Frequently Asked Questions about Central Academy Middle

Students at Central Academy Middle are 91% White, 5% Two or more races, 2% Hispanic, 1% African American.

Students who attend Central Academy Middle usually go on to attend James River High

In the 2023-24 school year, 362 students attended Central Academy Middle.

Yes. Central Academy Middle ranks in the top 8.6% of Virginia middle schools.


Rate Central Academy Middle!



Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Central Academy Middle!




SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Virginia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





Diagnostics

None retrieved from Database in 23 milliseconds.