Whitman Middle

Summary:

Whitman Middle is a public middle school located in Alexandria, Virginia, serving grades 7-8 with a total enrollment of 869 students. The school is part of the Fairfax County Public Schools district, which is ranked 41 out of 130 school districts in Virginia and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Whitman Middle has a diverse student population, with a higher percentage of Hispanic students (49.6%) compared to the district and state averages. However, the school's academic performance, as measured by SOL (Standards of Learning) test scores, is generally lower than the Fairfax County Public Schools district and the state of Virginia averages. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the percentage of students proficient or better in SOL Mathematics for 7th and 8th grades was 30.36% and 26.27%, respectively, compared to the district's 52.24% and 39.01%, and the state's 52.49% and 50.1%. Whitman Middle has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Virginia middle schools, with a ranking of 342 out of 417 schools in the 2023-2024 school year, and a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Whitman Middle faces several challenges, including a high percentage of students (63.06% in 2022-2023) receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a significant socioeconomic challenge for the school. The school's performance varies across different student subgroups, with African American and White students performing better than Hispanic and English Language Learner students. While Whitman Middle's academic performance is generally lower than nearby magnet schools like Irving Middle and Twain Middle, it performs better than some other nearby schools, such as Glasgow Middle and Francis C. Hammond Middle, which are also in the bottom half of Virginia middle schools.


Detail:

Public 7-8

 2500 Parkers Ln
       Alexandria, VA  22306


(703) 660-2400

District: Fairfax County Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
342nd of 417 Virginia Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,058 Help


Students who attend Whitman Middle usually attend:

High:    Mount Vernon High

Feeder schools for Whitman Middle:

Elementary:    Fort Belvoir Elementary
    Fort Belvoir Upper Elementary
    Mount Vernon Woods Elementary
    Riverside Elementary
    More...

Student/teacher ratio:  14.0 Help
Number of students:  869

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
49.6%
White:
20.0%
African American:
19.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  63.1% Help


 See top rated Virginia middle schools

 Compare Whitman Middle to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Whitman Middle ranks worse than 82% of middle schools in Virginia. It also ranks 19th among 23 ranked middle schools in the Fairfax County Public Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 23.66. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high 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 Whitman Middle has the largest middle school student body size in the Fairfax County Public Schools District.  (See more...)
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Whitman Middle is $12,058, which is the 2nd highest among 23 middle schools in the Fairfax County Public Schools District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Whitman Middle:

SchoolDigger ranks Whitman Middle 342nd of 417 Virginia public middle schools. (See Whitman Middle in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
English Language Learner students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Disabled students:
Military Connected students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Fairfax County Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Fairfax County Public Schools 41st of 130 Virginia school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Whitman Middle.

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Rank History for Whitman Middle

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Whitman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 43.69 237th 340 30.3%
2006 44.60 234th 383 38.9%
2007 36.16 305th 387 21.2%
2008 34.59 296th 391 24.3%
2009 33.02 301st 390 22.8%
2010 35.78 304th 408 25.5%
2011 22.76 366th 413 11.4%
2012 33.03 322nd 413 22.0%
2013 27.15 333rd 416 20.0%
2014 28.82 317th 416 23.8%
2015 28.38 325th 412 21.1%
2016 33.37 300th 409 26.7%
2017 20.87 368th 415 11.3%
2018 24.43 354th 413 14.3%
2019 18.28 381st 424 10.1%
2021 19.47 358th 419 14.6%
2022 17.07 367th 415 11.6%
2023 23.27 356th 422 15.6%
2024 23.66 342nd 417 18.0%
See the entire list of Virginia Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Whitman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 47.34 120th 231 48.1%
2024 44.74 136th 237 42.6%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Whitman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 31.75 69th 100 31.0%
2024 33.05 76th 122 37.7%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Middle Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Whitman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 21.61 338th 402 15.9%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Whitman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 32.68 306th 411 25.5%
2024 23.45 336th 407 17.4%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Whitman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 28.64 200th 278 28.1%
2024 29.56 195th 281 30.6%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Military Connected students at Whitman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 25.32 99th 114 13.2%
2024 26.33 107th 123 13.0%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Middle Schools for Military Connected Students!

Rank History for Male students at Whitman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 15.91 365th 409 10.8%
2024 22.93 343rd 407 15.7%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Whitman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 32.57 104th 132 21.2%
2024 13.99 119th 128 7.0%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Middle Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Whitman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 38.04 203rd 298 31.9%
2024 48.64 165th 299 44.8%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Whitman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 19.20 238th 275 13.5%
2024 18.30 237th 272 12.9%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Whitman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 49.42 204th 402 49.3%
2024 49.51 208th 396 47.5%
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.

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




Data source: Virginia Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2)
0%

25%

0%

25%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a citizen
Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Open Quote 2017-2018 marked brand new leadership for Whitman. The principal is not as solid as previous leadership, and there has been a decline in behavioral expectations. School is riddled with behavioral and discipline issues. A lot of leniency is afforded to kids with behavioral issues from the admin at the expense of the other students without issues and staff morale. Because of low staff morale there is high turnover. Honors curriculum is substandard, not rigorous, particularly English. Advanced math courses are the best, and it is due to a couple of great teachers. Is supposed to be an IB school, but the IB program is not implemented across the curriculum, with counselors and staff not fully understanding details of an IB program, and no "buy-in" from staff. The counseling department needs A LOT of leadership and significant development cultivation. There seems to be very little accountability within the counseling depart. If there is a comprehensive school counseling program that includes academic development, it is a mystery. Whitman's student demographic requires a lot of social and emotional intervention from counseling depart, which takes over academic guidance. Communication with parents from admin is insufficient, very generic, and is usually an afterthought. Teachers are mostly good at responding to parent inquiries, and stay after school one day/week for student assistance. New principal definitely needs to step up his game. Close Quote


by a parent
Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Open Quote New leadership is really turning this school around. The Principal is solid and the faculty is starting to turn this school away from its failed past. If things stay on track, Whitman could be one of the stronger schools in FCPS in the next 3-5 years. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Whitman Middle

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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 753 753
1990 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 724 724
1991 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 695 695
1992 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 713 713
1993 363 283 61 68 1 n/a n/a 0 776
1994 315 309 55 75 1 n/a n/a 0 755
1995 306 317 61 98 2 n/a n/a 0 784
1996 306 317 61 98 2 n/a n/a 0 784
1997 287 325 74 103 2 n/a n/a 0 791
1998 287 337 62 113 1 n/a n/a 0 800
1999 325 378 54 115 2 n/a n/a 0 874
2000 350 370 61 143 3 n/a n/a -4 923
2001 332 382 49 165 3 n/a n/a 0 931
2002 314 370 49 189 3 n/a n/a 45 970
2003 314 370 49 189 3 n/a n/a 45 970
2004 311 386 50 208 4 n/a n/a 47 1006
2005 296 377 56 222 2 n/a n/a 54 1007
2006 270 330 61 230 1 n/a n/a 60 952
2007 250 334 45 218 1 n/a n/a 62 910
2008 237 329 43 274 3 n/a n/a 56 942
2009 268 304 52 292 4 n/a n/a 68 988
2010 279 278 54 289 5 n/a n/a 81 986
2011 227 293 46 354 7 4 60 0 991
2012 226 297 51 395 6 5 48 0 1028
2013 238 289 53 359 4 2 41 0 986
2014 241 272 50 372 3 4 37 0 979
2015 201 259 58 412 2 7 35 0 974
2016 200 280 63 393 6 5 39 0 986
2017 200 265 58 405 2 3 42 0 975
2018 191 251 49 437 1 8 39 0 976
2019 164 276 44 487 3 5 41 0 1020
2020 145 246 39 517 2 3 39 0 991
2021 158 187 43 485 1 5 35 0 914
2022 158 182 45 452 2 5 36 0 880
2023 174 173 48 431 6 5 32 0 869

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 Whitman Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 753 43.3 17.3 n/a
1990 724 44.2 16.3 n/a
1991 695 47.2 14.7 n/a
1992 713 48.1 14.8 n/a
1993 776 6.7 115.8 n/a
1994 755 45.4 n/a 27.7
1995 784 n/a 0.0 29
1996 784 n/a 0.0 29
1997 791 n/a 0.0 30.2
1998 800 n/a 0.0 33.3
1999 874 50.0 17.5 39.9
2000 923 n/a 0.0 35.6
2001 931 78.0 11.9 38.9
2002 970 93.4 10.4 41.1
2003 970 93.4 10.4 41.1
2004 1006 87.3 11.5 43.4
2005 1007 85.5 11.8 47.7
2006 952 81.0 11.8 44.1
2007 910 90.0 10.1 44.2
2008 942 55.0 17.1 47.1
2009 988 54.6 18.1 46.1
2010 986 50.6 19.4 48.5
2011 991 60.6 16.3 51.2
2012 1028 79.3 12.9 55.1
2013 986 84.3 11.6 55.2
2014 979 82.1 11.9 56.4
2015 974 81.0 12.0 56.1
2016 986 80.0 12.3 52.8
2017 975 80.5 12.1 51.6
2018 976 80.2 12.1 55.7
2019 1020 78.7 12.9 61.1
2020 991 86.4 11.4 64.5
2021 914 81.1 11.2 n/a
2022 880 76.4 11.5 72.6
2023 869 61.7 14.0 63.1

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 Whitman Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 753 43.3 17.3 n/a
1990 724 44.2 16.3 n/a
1991 695 47.2 14.7 n/a
1992 713 48.1 14.8 n/a
1993 776 6.7 115.8 n/a
1994 755 45.4 n/a 27.7
1995 784 n/a 0.0 29
1996 784 n/a 0.0 29
1997 791 n/a 0.0 30.2
1998 800 n/a 0.0 33.3
1999 874 50.0 17.5 39.9
2000 923 n/a 0.0 35.6
2001 931 78.0 11.9 38.9
2002 970 93.4 10.4 41.1
2003 970 93.4 10.4 41.1
2004 1006 87.3 11.5 43.4
2005 1007 85.5 11.8 47.7
2006 952 81.0 11.8 44.1
2007 910 90.0 10.1 44.2
2008 942 55.0 17.1 47.1
2009 988 54.6 18.1 46.1
2010 986 50.6 19.4 48.5
2011 991 60.6 16.3 51.2
2012 1028 79.3 12.9 55.1
2013 986 84.3 11.6 55.2
2014 979 82.1 11.9 56.4
2015 974 81.0 12.0 56.1
2016 986 80.0 12.3 52.8
2017 975 80.5 12.1 51.6
2018 976 80.2 12.1 55.7
2019 1020 78.7 12.9 61.1
2020 991 86.4 11.4 64.5
2021 914 81.1 11.2 n/a
2022 880 76.4 11.5 72.6
2023 869 61.7 14.0 63.1

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 Whitman Middle

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $519 (4.8%) $10,380 (95.2%) $10,900
2020 $392 (3.3%) $11,516 (96.7%) $11,908
2021 $255 (2.1%) $11,803 (97.9%) $12,058

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Whitman 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 381st of 424 Middle schoolsRanks 356th of 422 Middle schools
 5.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
7th Grade Mathematics (Whitman Middle)5928.6
 30.4%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Fairfax County Public Schools)8654.7
 31.3%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Virginia)7851.4
 26.6%
7th Grade English Reading (Whitman Middle)6556.1
 8.9%
   7th Grade English Reading (Fairfax County Public Schools)8478.7
 5.3%
   7th Grade English Reading (Virginia)7970.3
 8.7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Whitman Middle)6730.2
 36.8%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Fairfax County Public Schools)8339.8
 43.2%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Virginia)7748.4
 28.6%
8th Grade Science (Whitman Middle)6059.9
 0.1%
   8th Grade Science (Fairfax County Public Schools)8370.4
 12.6%
   8th Grade Science (Virginia)7860.7
 17.3%
8th Grade English Reading (Whitman Middle)6354.1
 9%
   8th Grade English Reading (Fairfax County Public Schools)8277.4
 4.7%
   8th Grade English Reading (Virginia)7670.7
 5.3%
End of Course Geometry (Whitman Middle)100100
   End of Course Geometry (Fairfax County Public Schools)8690
 4%
   End of Course Geometry (Virginia)8380
 3%
End of Course Algebra I (Whitman Middle)9388
 5%
   End of Course Algebra I (Fairfax County Public Schools)8986
 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 Students1020869
 14.8%
African American276173
 37.3%
American Indian36
 100%
Asian4448
 9.1%
Hispanic487431
 11.5%
Pacific Islander55
White164174
 6.1%
Two or More Races4132
 22%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients61.1%63.1%
 2%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Whitman Middle

Whitman Middle ranks in the bottom 18.0% of Virginia middle schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 869 students attended Whitman Middle.

Students who attend Whitman Middle usually go on to attend Mount Vernon High

Students at Whitman Middle are 50% Hispanic, 20% White, 20% African American, 6% Asian, 4% Two or more races.


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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.





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