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Central Academy Middle

Q: Is Central Academy Middle a good school?

Yes. Central Academy Middle ranks in the top 6.5% of Virginia middle schools.

Q: How many students attend Central Academy Middle?

In the 2024-25 school year, 364 students attended Central Academy Middle.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Central Academy Middle?

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

Q: What high school do graduates of Central Academy Middle attend?

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

Public Grades 6-8

27^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 416 Virginia Middle Schools

Better than 94% of Virginia middle schools

Summary

Central Academy Middle, located in Fincastle, Virginia, serves 364 students in grades 6–8 as part of Botetourt County Public Schools, a district ranked 7th out of 131 statewide with a 5-star rating. The school itself consistently ranks among Virginia's top middle schools—27th out of 416 for 2025–2026 (94th percentile, 5 stars)—and has followed a steady upward trajectory over the past decade.

The school's standout strength is mathematics. In 2025–2026, 7th grade math proficiency reached 97.4%—a remarkable 46 percentage points above the state average—while 8th grade Algebra I and Geometry both posted 100% proficiency. Scores are also strong in reading (80–92% proficient), science (79.8%), and civics (82.7%). What makes these results especially meaningful is that they hold across student populations: Central Academy ranks 13th statewide for disabled students and 52nd for low-income students, with both male and female students ranking in the top 10% in recent years. This is a school that gets strong results for every kind of learner, not just those who arrive with advantages.

Chronic absenteeism sits at just 8.6%, well below the state average of 14.8%, and the school maintains a low 12.4:1 student–teacher ratio. Central Academy spends $12,653 per pupil—significantly more than nearby Hidden Valley Middle ($10,232) and William Byrd Middle ($8,892). Within its own district, Central Academy edges out Read Mountain Middle in state ranking and beats it in math at every grade level. The contrast with nearby Roanoke City schools is stark: 6th grade math proficiency at Central Academy is 88.6%, versus 12.5% at Addison Aerospace Magnet Middle, 24.5% at James Madison Middle, and 23.7% at Woodrow Wilson Middle. For families seeking a middle school where high achievement and inclusive support go hand in hand, Central Academy is an exceptional choice.

364

Students ?

12.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,814

Per pupil spending ?

33.2%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

367 Poor Farm Rd
Fincastle, VA 24090

(540) 473-8333

District: Botetourt County Public Schools

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

Racial breakdown:

White:

91.5%

Two or more races:

4.7%

Hispanic:

2.5%

See top rated Virginia middle schools

Compare Central Academy Middle to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 87th percentile in 2016 → 94th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Virginia average (87% vs 69% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 6% of Virginia middle schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 7 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school87%

District avg85%

Virginia avg69%

27^th of 416

Virginia public middle schools ?

Top 6%▲ up 6 pts since 2016

From top 13% (2016) to top 6% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 2Middle Schools in the Botetourt County Public Schools

7^th of 131Botetourt County Public Schools among Virginia districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	83.1	27 of 416	93.5%	★★★★★
2025	85.3	21 of 419	95.0%	★★★★★
2024	82.5	36 of 417	91.4%	★★★★★
2023	83.2	36 of 422	91.5%	★★★★★
2022	78.8	48 of 415	88.4%	★★★★☆
2021	82.5	25 of 419	94.0%	★★★★★
2019	65.7	115 of 424	72.9%	★★★★☆
2018	73.4	67 of 413	83.8%	★★★★☆
2017	76.4	53 of 415	87.2%	★★★★☆
2016	77.5	53 of 409	87.0%	★★★★☆
2015	79.1	40 of 412	90.3%	★★★★★
2014	76.8	47 of 416	88.7%	★★★★☆
2013	78.2	41 of 416	90.1%	★★★★★
2012	73.5	50 of 413	87.9%	★★★★☆
2011	72.4	56 of 413	86.4%	★★★★☆
2010	65.5	96 of 408	76.5%	★★★★☆
2009	59.8	126 of 390	67.7%	★★★☆☆
2008	65.2	99 of 391	74.7%	★★★★☆
2007	65.0	97 of 387	74.9%	★★★★☆
2006	68.6	70 of 383	81.7%	★★★★☆
2005	51.2	197 of 340	42.1%	★★☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	89.8	13 of 292	95.5%	★★★★★
2024	85.4	21 of 281	92.5%	★★★★★
2023	85.2	24 of 278	91.4%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	81.3	31 of 409	92.4%	★★★★★
2025	81.0	35 of 403	91.3%	★★★★★
2024	83.7	25 of 407	93.9%	★★★★★
2023	80.8	43 of 411	89.5%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	77.6	52 of 401	87.0%	★★★★☆
2025	91.5	11 of 403	97.3%	★★★★★
2024	88.9	16 of 402	96.0%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	83.3	32 of 410	92.2%	★★★★★
2025	87.6	13 of 404	96.8%	★★★★★
2024	81.0	46 of 407	88.7%	★★★★☆
2023	83.8	32 of 409	92.2%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	71.6	81 of 400	79.8%	★★★★☆
2025	73.5	70 of 400	82.5%	★★★★☆
2024	68.6	103 of 396	74.0%	★★★★☆
2023	71.6	89 of 402	77.9%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Disabled (2026)96th percentile~ school

Female (2026)92nd percentile~ school

Male (2026)92nd percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)87th percentile-6 vs school

White (2026)80th percentile-14 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

Geometry100%+3 vs state

Algebra I100%+7 vs state

Mathematics91%+36 vs state

English Reading84%+11 vs state

Civics and Economics83%+8 vs state

Science80%+15 vs state

★

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Schools Near Central Academy Middle

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				SOL Geometry (2026)	SOL Algebra I (2026)		SOL Mathematics (2026)			SOL Science (2026)	SOL Earth Science (2026)	SOL English Reading (2026)			SOL Geography (2026)	SOL World History I (2026)	SOL Civics and Economics (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	SOL Geometry 8th Grade	SOL Algebra I 7th Grade	SOL Algebra I 8th Grade	SOL Mathematics 6th Grade	SOL Mathematics 7th Grade	SOL Mathematics 8th Grade	SOL Science 8th Grade	SOL Earth Science 8th Grade	SOL English Reading 6th Grade	SOL English Reading 7th Grade	SOL English Reading 8th Grade	SOL Geography 8th Grade	SOL World History I 8th Grade	SOL Civics and Economics 7th Grade	SOL Civics and Economics 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Central Academy Middle	Public	6-8	367 Poor Farm Rd	Fincastle	24090	Botetourt County	Botetourt County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 473-8333	364	29	12.4	33.2%	333 (91.5%)	2 (0.5%)	9 (2.5%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (4.7%)	83.1	27^th of 416 public middle schools	93.5%		85.3	21^st of 419 public middle schools	95.0%	6	100.0		100.0	88.6	97.4	84.8	79.8		80.0	92.1	78.8				82.7	$12,814	$556	$12,258
Read Mountain Middle	Public	6-8	182 Orchard Hill Dr	Cloverdale	24077	Botetourt County	Botetourt County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 966-8655	670	49	13.7	35.1%	540 (80.6%)	19 (2.8%)	56 (8.4%)	18 (2.7%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (5.4%)	82.3	29^th of 416 public middle schools	93.0%		76.7	72^nd of 419 public middle schools	82.8%	43	100.0		98.0	76.8	88.6	76.6	87.6		80.7	83.8	85.9				86.6	$10,451	$422	$10,029
Northside Middle	Public	6-8	6810 Northside High School Rd	Roanoke	24019	Roanoke County	Roanoke County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 561-8145	648	48	13.5	71.9%	316 (48.8%)	114 (17.6%)	113 (17.4%)	41 (6.3%)	3 (0.5%)	2 (0.3%)	59 (9.1%)	59	178^th of 416 public middle schools	57.2%		69.1	120^th of 419 public middle schools	71.4%	58	100.0	100.0	100.0	67.2	62.4	74.6	61.9	< 50%	71.4	77.6	76.2	< 50%	≥ 50%	< 50%	70.4	$10,495	$194	$10,301
Breckinridge Middle	Public	6-8	3901 Williamson Rd NW	Roanoke	24012	Roanoke city	Roanoke City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 853-2251	733	54	13.6	—	113 (15.4%)	273 (37.2%)	284 (38.7%)	37 (5.0%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	24 (3.3%)	11.2	392^nd of 416 public middle schools	5.8%		9.3	398^th of 419 public middle schools	5.0%	6	95.2	100.0	97.1	21.4	28.7	34.4	28.2	92.9	35.8	47.4	51.2			74.6	51.8	$12,676	$970	$11,706
William Byrd Middle	Public	6-8	2910 Washington Ave	Vinton	24179	Roanoke County	Roanoke County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 890-1035	802	58	13.7	67.1%	615 (76.7%)	63 (7.9%)	57 (7.1%)	20 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	47 (5.9%)	54.9	205^th of 416 public middle schools	50.7%		63.9	149^th of 419 public middle schools	64.4%	56	100.0	100.0	96.1	67.2	73.8	46.9	61.0		78.6	77.0	70.4		≥ 50%	≥ 50%	66.0	$9,742	$116	$9,627
Addison Aerospace Magnet Middle	Public	6-8	1220 5th Street NW	Roanoke	24016	Roanoke city	Roanoke City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 853-2681	540	48	11.2	97.2%	76 (14.1%)	322 (59.6%)	105 (19.4%)	4 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	31 (5.7%)	4.8	407^th of 416 public middle schools	2.2%		4.8	409^th of 419 public middle schools	2.4%	2	68.2	96.3	100.0	12.5	6.4	12.5	29.8	82.6	42.5	31.8	39.5			66.7	44.4	$13,233	$1,013	$12,221
John P. Fishwick Middle	Public	6-8	1004 Montrose Ave SE	Roanoke	24013	Roanoke city	Roanoke City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 853-6040	456	36	12.5	97.6%	176 (38.6%)	136 (29.8%)	93 (20.4%)	6 (1.3%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	42 (9.2%)	24.9	350^th of 416 public middle schools	15.9%		17.2	382^nd of 419 public middle schools	8.8%	32	94.4	100.0	100.0	33.7	18.8	40.5	52.3	100.0	59.2	53.9	65.1			100.0	63.3	$12,952	$992	$11,960
Woodrow Wilson Middle	Public	6-8	1813 Carter Rd SW	Roanoke	24015	Roanoke city	Roanoke City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 853-2358	601	50	11.9	—	245 (40.8%)	214 (35.6%)	77 (12.8%)	35 (5.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (4.8%)	14.9	379^th of 416 public middle schools	8.9%		19.5	372^nd of 419 public middle schools	11.2%	7	86.0	75.5	94.1	23.7	19.4	20.0	17.5	82.2	58.8	57.1	56.1			88.7	60.5	$12,733	$973	$11,760
Andrew Lewis Middle	Public	6-8	616 South College Ave	Salem	24153	Salem city	Salem City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 387-2513	839	49	17.1	44.8%	544 (64.8%)	138 (16.4%)	92 (11.0%)	19 (2.3%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (5.4%)	59.6	172^nd of 416 public middle schools	58.7%		60.4	172^nd of 419 public middle schools	58.9%		100.0	100.0	96.9	73.5	76.1	51.8	66.7	≥ 50%	77.7	75.1	72.2	365.0		68.2	409.0	$10,255	$329	$9,926
James Madison Middle	Public	6-8	1160 Overland Rd SW	Roanoke	24015	Roanoke city	Roanoke City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 853-2351	598	42	14.1	—	268 (44.8%)	204 (34.1%)	55 (9.2%)	18 (3.0%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	50 (8.4%)	23.5	357^th of 416 public middle schools	14.2%		26.9	339^th of 419 public middle schools	19.1%	18	95.7	96.9	93.0	24.5	15.8	8.7	22.5	100.0	66.7	59.0	62.5			77.7	55.6	$12,925	$985	$11,940

Frequently Asked Questions about Central Academy Middle

Is Central Academy Middle a good school?

Yes. Central Academy Middle ranks in the top 6.5% of Virginia middle schools.

How many students attend Central Academy Middle?

In the 2024-25 school year, 364 students attended Central Academy Middle.

What is the racial makeup of Central Academy Middle?

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

What district is Central Academy Middle in?

Botetourt County Public Schools

What high school do graduates of Central Academy Middle attend?

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

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Latest Virginia data All new data »

2023–24 school spending data (updated)NewNov 2, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataOct 12, 2026

2025–26 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesOct 12, 2026

2025–26 SOL test scoresAug 25, 2026

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.