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Luther P. Jackson Middle

Q: Is Luther P. Jackson Middle a good school?

Luther P. Jackson Middle ranks 232 nd of 416 Virginia middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Q: How many students attend Luther P. Jackson Middle?

In the 2024-25 school year, 201 students attended Luther P. Jackson Middle.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Luther P. Jackson Middle?

Students at Luther P. Jackson Middle are 44% African American, 42% White, 7% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races.

Q: What high school do graduates of Luther P. Jackson Middle attend?

Students who attend Luther P. Jackson Middle usually go on to attend Surry County High

Public Grades 5-8

232^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 416 Virginia Middle Schools

Better than 44% of Virginia middle schools

Summary

Luther P. Jackson Middle is a small, rural public school in Dendron, Virginia, serving 201 students in grades 5 through 8 as part of Surry County Public Schools. What makes this school stand out is how it combines deep economic challenges with some surprisingly strong academic results.

More than 9 out of every 10 students at Luther P. Jackson qualify for free or reduced-price lunch—far higher than nearby schools like Smithfield Middle (30%) or Queens Lake Middle (32%). Yet the school achieves with a very personal touch: just 8.3 students per teacher, compared to 12.5–14.6 at neighboring middle schools, and per-pupil spending of about $15,000—roughly 50–75% more than nearby districts. Attendance is also a quiet win, with chronic absenteeism at 9.2% in 2024-2025, well below the state average of 14.8%, and just 3.8% the year before.

The academic picture is mixed but encouraging. Luther P. Jackson posts standout results in 8th grade math (76.7% proficient vs. 46.9% statewide) and 8th grade science (84.0% vs. 64.7% statewide). It also earned a remarkable 10th-place ranking in Virginia for serving students with disabilities in 2022-2023. However, reading proficiency in 6th and 7th grades trails the state, and 7th grade math dipped sharply in 2025-2026 after a strong prior year. Compared to James Blair Middle—a school with a similar overall rank and high poverty—Luther P. Jackson far outperforms in 8th grade math (76.7% vs. 37.8%) and science (84.0% vs. 62.9%), though James Blair offers more advanced math courses. Given the small student body, year-to-year swings likely reflect a handful of students making a big difference. Overall, Luther P. Jackson is a high-poverty school that beats the odds in several subjects, backed by strong attendance and small classes.

201

Students ?

8.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,968

Per pupil spending ?

92.5%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

4255 New Design Rd
Dendron, VA 23839-2212

(757) 267-2810

District: Surry County Public Schools

Students who attend Luther P. Jackson Middle usually attend:

High:

Surry County High

Feeder schools for Luther P. Jackson Middle:

Elementary:

Surry Elementary

Racial breakdown:

African American:

44.3%

White:

41.8%

Hispanic:

7.0%

See top rated Virginia middle schools

Compare Luther P. Jackson Middle to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Recently slipping — 71st percentile in 2022 → 44th in 2026

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 8 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped from its 71st-percentile peak (2022) to 44th (2026)

!Civics and Economics scores 13 pts below the Virginia average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school68%

District avg68%

Virginia avg69%

232^nd of 416

Virginia public middle schools ?

Bottom 44%▲ up 11 pts since 2016

From bottom 33% (2016) to bottom 44% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

61^st of 131Surry 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	49.8	232 of 416	44.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	62.9	160 of 419	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	60.6	173 of 417	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	67.3	133 of 422	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	64.1	119 of 415	71.3%	★★★★☆
2021	56.0	158 of 419	62.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	55.6	186 of 424	56.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	54.9	180 of 413	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2017	28.8	332 of 415	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	38.5	275 of 409	32.8%	★★☆☆☆
2015	41.7	252 of 412	38.8%	★★☆☆☆
2014	38.0	268 of 416	35.6%	★★☆☆☆
2013	38.2	264 of 416	36.5%	★★☆☆☆
2012	41.8	266 of 413	35.6%	★★☆☆☆
2011	44.1	255 of 413	38.3%	★★☆☆☆
2010	51.7	199 of 408	51.2%	★★★☆☆
2009	49.3	200 of 390	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2008	31.7	319 of 391	18.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	44.8	240 of 387	38.0%	★★☆☆☆
2006	32.6	306 of 383	20.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	25.8	316 of 340	7.1%	☆☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	54.6	131 of 297	55.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	66.6	87 of 297	70.7%	★★★★☆
2024	55.5	139 of 299	53.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	82.4	30 of 298	89.9%	★★★★★

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2023	91.4	10 of 278	96.4%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	47.2	248 of 409	39.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	67.5	123 of 403	69.5%	★★★★☆
2024	62.7	161 of 407	60.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	73.8	95 of 411	76.9%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	50.4	204 of 401	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	76.3	66 of 403	83.6%	★★★★☆
2024	55.8	174 of 402	56.7%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	52.4	212 of 410	48.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	56.9	178 of 404	55.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	63.1	141 of 407	65.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	63.8	138 of 409	66.3%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	53.4	183 of 400	54.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	62.3	135 of 400	66.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	73.0	78 of 396	80.3%	★★★★☆
2023	62.7	143 of 402	64.4%	★★★☆☆

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 (2023)96th percentile+28 vs school

African American (2026)56th percentile+12 vs school

White (2026)54th percentile+10 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)49th percentile+5 vs school

Male (2026)48th percentile+4 vs school

Female (2026)39th percentile-5 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

Science72%+6 vs state

English Reading71%~ state avg

Mathematics66%+5 vs state

Civics and Economics57%-13 vs state

★

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Schools Near Luther P. Jackson 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 Algebra II (2026)	SOL Mathematics (2026)					SOL Science (2026)		SOL Earth Science (2026)	SOL English Reading (2026)					SOL World History I (2026)	SOL Civics and Economics (2026)		SOL VA Studies (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 7th Grade	SOL Geometry 8th Grade	SOL Algebra I 6th Grade	SOL Algebra I 7th Grade	SOL Algebra I 8th Grade	SOL Algebra II 8th Grade	SOL Mathematics 4th Grade	SOL Mathematics 5th Grade	SOL Mathematics 6th Grade	SOL Mathematics 7th Grade	SOL Mathematics 8th Grade	SOL Science 5th Grade	SOL Science 8th Grade	SOL Earth Science 8th Grade	SOL English Reading 4th Grade	SOL English Reading 5th Grade	SOL English Reading 6th Grade	SOL English Reading 7th Grade	SOL English Reading 8th Grade	SOL World History I 8th Grade	SOL Civics and Economics 7th Grade	SOL Civics and Economics 8th Grade	SOL VA Studies 4th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Luther P. Jackson Middle	Public	5-8	4255 New Design Rd	Dendron	23839	Surry County	Surry County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 267-2810	201	24	8.3	92.5%	84 (41.8%)	89 (44.3%)	14 (7.0%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (6.5%)	49.8	232^nd of 416 public middle schools	44.2%		62.9	160^th of 419 public middle schools	61.8%	72				≥ 50%	473.0			81.0	63.6	44.7	76.7	60.4	84.0			72.9	67.4	66.7	76.0		56.9			$15,968	$1,230	$14,738
Westside Elementary	Public	4-6	800 Main Street	Smithfield	23430	Isle of Wight County	Isle of Wight County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 357-3021	682	48	14.1	38.7%	357 (52.3%)	195 (28.6%)	52 (7.6%)	9 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	69 (10.1%)								(n/a)							82.7	71.6	81.5			68.6			77.7	72.9	83.8						68.8	$10,804	$400	$10,404
Berkeley Middle	Public	6-8	1118 Ironbound Rd	Williamsburg	23185	Williamsburg city	Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 229-8051	666	46	14.6	65.0%	332 (49.8%)	128 (19.2%)	117 (17.6%)	21 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	68 (10.2%)	61	157^th of 416 public middle schools	62.3%		68.6	124^th of 419 public middle schools	70.4%	33		100.0		98.2	95.7				66.7	55.1	38.3		72.6				75.1	79.2	76.1			83.2		$9,671	$202	$9,468
James Blair Middle	Public	6-8	101 Longhill Road	Williamsburg	23185	Williamsburg city	Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 603-6400	505	38	13.2	65.1%	238 (47.1%)	85 (16.8%)	124 (24.6%)	13 (2.6%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	43 (8.5%)	52.2	223^rd of 416 public middle schools	46.4%		50.4	220^th of 419 public middle schools	47.5%	3	≥ 50%	100.0		100.0	92.6	≥ 50%			60.2	39.2	37.8		62.9				79.4	77.7	70.7			77.4		$11,031	$195	$10,836
Lois Hornsby Middle	Public	6-8	850 Jolly Pond Road	Williamsburg	23188	James City County	Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 565-9400	805	55	14.6	34.3%	433 (53.8%)	158 (19.6%)	123 (15.3%)	29 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	62 (7.7%)	62.8	150^th of 416 public middle schools	63.9%		72.1	105^th of 419 public middle schools	74.9%	45		100.0	≥ 50%	100.0	89.8				66.5	41.1	41.4		72.5				81.4	81.9	81.5			77.4		$9,354	$106	$9,248
Queens Lake Middle	Public, Magnet	6-8	124 W Queens Dr	Williamsburg	23185	York County	York County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(757) 220-4080	554	42	13.2	31.9%	264 (47.7%)	107 (19.3%)	93 (16.8%)	18 (3.2%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	69 (12.5%)	68.2	115^th of 416 public middle schools	72.4%		74.5	90^th of 419 public middle schools	78.5%	25		97.9		100.0	100.0				66.1	47.1	61.6		70.3				83.4	84.0	82.4			75.8		$10,935	$249	$10,686
Smithfield Middle	Public	7-8	14175 Turner Drive	Smithfield	23430	Isle of Wight County	Isle of Wight County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 365-4100	565	45	12.5	30.1%	292 (51.7%)	157 (27.8%)	48 (8.5%)	10 (1.8%)	4 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	54 (9.6%)	82.1	31^st of 416 public middle schools	92.5%		76.7	70^th of 419 public middle schools	83.3%	39		496.0		515.0	100.0					72.6	75.7		81.6	≥ 50%				79.1	86.0	< 50%		86.8		$12,186	$535	$11,651

Frequently Asked Questions about Luther P. Jackson Middle

What is the racial makeup of Luther P. Jackson Middle?

Students at Luther P. Jackson Middle are 44% African American, 42% White, 7% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races.

How many students attend Luther P. Jackson Middle?

In the 2024-25 school year, 201 students attended Luther P. Jackson Middle.

What district is Luther P. Jackson Middle in?

Surry County Public Schools

Is Luther P. Jackson Middle a good school?

Luther P. Jackson Middle ranks 232^nd of 416 Virginia middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What high school do graduates of Luther P. Jackson Middle attend?

Students who attend Luther P. Jackson Middle usually go on to attend Surry County High

Rate Luther P. Jackson Middle!

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Schools in Dendron, VA

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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.