Summary:
Zip code 24153 in Salem, Virginia is served by two public middle schools, Andrew Lewis Middle and Glenvar Middle, which together educate about 1,272 students across grades 6–8. Andrew Lewis is the larger school with 839 students, while Glenvar serves 433 students. The two schools belong to different districts, Salem City Public Schools and Roanoke County Public Schools, which contributes to notable differences in resources and outcomes.
Glenvar Middle is the clear overall standout, ranking 65th out of 416 Virginia middle schools for 2025–2026 in the 84th percentile with 4 stars; its district, Roanoke County Public Schools, ranks 11th out of 131 districts. Andrew Lewis Middle ranks 172nd (59th percentile, 3 stars), and its district, Salem City Public Schools, ranks 30th. Glenvar posts higher proficiency in nearly every subject, especially math and reading, and its state rank has improved from 86th to 65th in three years, while Andrew Lewis has plateaued at 172nd. However, Andrew Lewis is a standout in advanced math, achieving 100% proficiency in both Geometry and 7th-grade Algebra I, plus 96.94% in 8th-grade Algebra I.
Glenvar also holds a resource advantage, with an 11.9 student-to-teacher ratio versus 17.1 at Andrew Lewis, and higher per-student spending of $11,572 versus $9,645. Glenvar has lower chronic absenteeism (10.7% vs. 12.4%) and a lower free/reduced lunch rate (38.11% vs. 44.82%), though both schools remain below the state chronic absenteeism benchmark of 14.8%. The academic gap widens significantly by 8th grade: Glenvar posts 73.91% proficiency in 8th-grade math versus just 51.82% at Andrew Lewis, and reading proficiency trails by about 9 points. Both schools perform exceptionally well in accelerated courses, making them strong options for advanced learners, but Glenvar offers greater consistency across all grade levels and subjects.
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