Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 23112

Zip code 23112 in Midlothian, Virginia, is served by two public middle schools—Bailey Bridge Middle and Swift Creek Middle—both part of Chesterfield County Public Schools and covering grades 6 through 8. Swift Creek Middle is the clear standout: it ranks 95th of 416 Virginia middle schools (77th percentile, 4 stars) for 2025–2026, while Bailey Bridge Middle ranks 246th of 416 (41st percentile, 2 stars). Swift Creek outperforms Bailey Bridge on essentially every metric, including higher SOL proficiency in all 12 reported test areas, lower chronic absenteeism (11.6% vs. 18.4%), and a lower free/reduced lunch rate (28.3% vs. 33.8%).

The gap between the two schools is widening. Swift Creek's state percentile climbed from 59th to 72nd to 77th over the past three years, while Bailey Bridge improved only from 31st to 42nd to 41st. In 2025–2026, Swift Creek's average SOL proficiency was about 10 points higher, with the largest subject gaps in 7th grade math (+22.8 points), 6th grade math (+14.8 points), 8th grade Algebra I (+11.5 points), and 8th grade reading (+11.2 points). Both schools excel in advanced coursework—Geometry, Algebra I, and Earth Science proficiency all exceed 90%—but both fall below the state average in general 8th grade science, and Bailey Bridge also trails in 8th grade math.

Spending and class size do not explain the performance difference: per-student spending is nearly identical ($8,283 at Swift Creek vs. $8,173 at Bailey Bridge), and student-to-teacher ratios are similar (14.9 vs. 14.5). Bailey Bridge faces more significant attendance challenges, with 18.4% chronic absenteeism versus 11.6% at Swift Creek and a 14.8% state average. One striking outlier appears in Bailey Bridge's data: 8th grade math proficiency jumped from just 3.57% in 2024–2025 to 39.81% in 2025–2026, likely reflecting changes in course placement or testing cohorts, so parents should treat that anomaly with caution. Overall, Swift Creek demonstrates a strong upward trajectory that could offer lessons for Bailey Bridge, which remains a solid mid-range school with targeted needs in attendance and general math and science support.