Middle Schools in Montgomery County Public Schools

Montgomery County Public Schools in Virginia serves 2,238 students across 4 middle schools — Blacksburg Middle, Christiansburg Middle, Auburn Middle, and Shawsville Middle — serving grades 6–8 in the Blacksburg–Christiansburg area.

These four schools tell very different stories. Blacksburg Middle is the clear standout: it ranks in the 83rd percentile statewide, earns 4 stars, and improves every year. It leads the district in 8th grade math (72% proficient), reading (86%), and civics (92%), while keeping chronic absenteeism at a moderate 12.5% and poverty at 27%. At the other end, Shawsville Middle ranks in the 13th percentile with 1 star, and its scores are dramatically lower — just 29% proficient in 8th grade math and 48% in reading. Shawsville also has the highest poverty rate (85%) and chronic absenteeism (23%), yet receives the lowest funding per student ($4,140). Auburn Middle is a solid mid-range option: it ranks in the 47th percentile with 2 stars, has the lowest chronic absenteeism in the district (9.8%), and posts strong scores in 8th grade math (60%) and reading (78%), despite a relatively high poverty rate (44%). Christiansburg Middle is in the 34th percentile, showing steady improvement but still trailing the district in science and grade-level math.

A few patterns stand out. First, reading beats math almost everywhere, making math the district’s biggest challenge. Second, every school reports 100% proficiency in advanced math (Algebra I/Geometry), but on-grade-level math is much weaker — especially at Auburn (32% in 6th grade) and Shawsville (29% in 8th grade). Third, Earth Science is a universal strength, with all four schools scoring at or above the state average. Finally, chronic absenteeism aligns closely with performance: the two schools with the lowest absenteeism (Auburn and Blacksburg) are the highest-ranked, while the two with the highest absenteeism (Christiansburg and Shawsville) lag behind. For parents, Blacksburg offers the strongest academics and upward momentum, Auburn is a strong small-school choice, Christiansburg is improving, and Shawsville faces serious challenges that deserve attention.