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Independence Middle School

Q: Is Independence Middle School a good school?

Independence Middle School ranks 40 th of 161 West Virginia middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

40^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 161 West Virginia Middle Schools

Better than 75% of West Virginia middle schools

Summary

Independence Middle School in Coal City, WV, serves 401 students in grades 6-8 and is part of Raleigh County Schools, a district ranked 14th out of 54 in West Virginia. The school has earned a 4-star rating for five consecutive years, a remarkable turnaround from its 2-star status a decade ago.

What truly sets Independence Middle apart is its exceptional support for students who often struggle elsewhere. The school ranks 3rd statewide (98th percentile) for special education students—an elite achievement that has improved dramatically from 21st place just two years ago. Students from low socioeconomic backgrounds also thrive here, ranking in the 88th-92nd percentile statewide. This success extends to the classroom, where 7th and 8th grade math and English scores consistently beat state averages. For example, 8th grade math proficiency (43.1%) is nearly 9 points above the state average, and 7th grade English (57.8%) outperforms both the district and state. The school also maintains a favorable 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio and achieves strong results at a lower per-student cost ($12,357) than nearby Park Middle School ($13,096), which it outperforms overall.

Compared to neighboring schools, Independence holds its own. It significantly outperforms Mullens Middle School by 20 percentage points in math and far exceeds Pineville Middle School, which shows a sharp decline from 5th to 7th grade. However, Trap Hill Middle School and Shady Spring Middle School edge it out in 8th grade science and 6th grade math, respectively. Independence's main growth areas are 6th grade math (40.6% proficiency, below the district's 47%) and 8th grade science (26.7%, below the state's 29.3%). The school also shows a widening gender gap favoring male students. Still, for parents seeking a school that consistently lifts up all learners—especially those with special needs or economic challenges—Independence Middle School is a standout choice in southern West Virginia.

401

Students ?

11.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,234

Per pupil spending ?

65.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

800 Independence Rd
Coal City, WV 25921-1171

(304) 683-4542

District: Raleigh County Schools

Students who attend Independence Middle School usually attend:

High:

Independence High School

Feeder schools for Independence Middle School:

Elementary:

Coal City Elementary

Racial breakdown:

White:

91.5%

Two or more races:

4.5%

African American:

2.0%

See top rated West Virginia middle schools

Compare Independence Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Recently slipping — 85th percentile in 2021 → 75th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranks in the top 25% of West Virginia middle schools

✓Small classes — about 11 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped from its 85th-percentile peak (2021) to 75th (2026)

!Near the bottom of Raleigh County Schools's ranking

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school46%

District avg48%

West Virginia avg44%

40^th of 161

West Virginia public middle schools ?

Top 25%▲ up 29 pts since 2016

From bottom 46% (2016) to top 25% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of West Virginia Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

4^th of 5Middle Schools in the Raleigh County Schools

14^th of 55Raleigh County Schools among West 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	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	68.9	40 of 161	75.2%	★★★★☆
2025	75.9	26 of 168	84.5%	★★★★☆
2024	69.0	35 of 169	79.3%	★★★★☆
2023	70.6	32 of 168	81.0%	★★★★☆
2022	74.6	27 of 169	84.0%	★★★★☆
2021	74.1	25 of 171	85.4%	★★★★☆
2019	48.5	81 of 171	52.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	49.8	78 of 170	54.1%	★★★☆☆
2017	41.9	118 of 176	33.0%	★★☆☆☆
2016	44.8	93 of 172	45.9%	★★☆☆☆
2015	41.9	98 of 173	43.4%	★★☆☆☆
2014	42.6	100 of 172	41.9%	★★☆☆☆
2013	60.2	47 of 174	73.0%	★★★★☆
2012	64.0	37 of 172	78.5%	★★★★☆
2011	55.8	63 of 171	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2010	43.4	103 of 171	39.8%	★★☆☆☆
2009	40.1	110 of 171	35.7%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2017	42.7	71 of 124	42.7%	★★☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2022	71.3	13 of 131	90.1%	★★★★★
2021	59.9	25 of 129	80.6%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	60.5	52 of 155	66.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	71.8	30 of 158	81.0%	★★★★☆
2024	61.9	50 of 158	68.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	69.4	30 of 158	81.0%	★★★★☆
2022	75.6	24 of 164	85.4%	★★★★☆
2021	79.3	18 of 162	88.9%	★★★★☆
2019	59.3	58 of 162	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	53.5	75 of 166	54.8%	★★★☆☆
2017	41.5	115 of 174	33.9%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2017	43.9	52 of 97	46.4%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	76.7	19 of 157	87.9%	★★★★☆
2025	80.2	14 of 165	91.5%	★★★★★
2024	74.7	21 of 164	87.2%	★★★★☆
2023	76.8	13 of 162	92.0%	★★★★★
2022	81.1	11 of 162	93.2%	★★★★★
2021	80.9	7 of 164	95.7%	★★★★★
2018	55.1	63 of 165	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2017	31.5	137 of 176	22.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	74.3	29 of 156	81.4%	★★★★☆
2025	76.6	23 of 160	85.6%	★★★★☆
2024	76.3	25 of 165	84.8%	★★★★☆
2023	71.5	34 of 158	78.5%	★★★★☆
2022	71.1	26 of 161	83.9%	★★★★☆
2021	68.5	37 of 164	77.4%	★★★★☆
2019	40.4	101 of 161	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	47.0	87 of 164	47.0%	★★☆☆☆
2017	41.4	116 of 176	34.1%	★★☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2017	38.1	79 of 107	26.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	84.3	3 of 125	97.6%	★★★★★
2025	86.2	4 of 127	96.9%	★★★★★
2024	64.4	21 of 128	83.6%	★★★★☆
2023	79.5	7 of 132	94.7%	★★★★★
2019	41.0	69 of 130	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	49.9	56 of 142	60.6%	★★★☆☆
2017	57.2	37 of 174	78.7%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	67.8	40 of 161	75.2%	★★★★☆
2025	73.9	27 of 168	83.9%	★★★★☆
2024	68.6	35 of 169	79.3%	★★★★☆
2023	70.3	34 of 168	79.8%	★★★★☆
2022	73.1	29 of 168	82.7%	★★★★☆
2021	73.3	27 of 170	84.1%	★★★★☆
2019	49.6	80 of 168	52.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	50.6	79 of 167	52.7%	★★★☆☆
2017	41.0	117 of 176	33.5%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Special Education (2026)98th percentile+22 vs school

Disabled (2022)90th percentile+6 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)88th percentile+13 vs school

Male (2026)81st percentile+6 vs school

White (2026)75th percentile~ school

Female (2026)66th percentile-9 vs school

Hispanic (2017)46th percentile+13 vs school

African American (2017)43rd percentile+10 vs school

Multi-racial (2017)26th percentile-7 vs school

By subject vs West Virginia (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts53%+6 vs state

Mathematics45%+5 vs state

Science27%-3 vs state

★

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Schools Near Independence Middle School

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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)				WV Assessment Mathematics (2026)					WV Assessment English Language Arts (2026)					WV Assessment Science (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/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2021)	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	WV Assessment Mathematics 5th Grade	WV Assessment Mathematics 6th Grade	WV Assessment Mathematics 7th Grade	WV Assessment Mathematics 8th Grade	WV Assessment Mathematics All Grades	WV Assessment English Language Arts 5th Grade	WV Assessment English Language Arts 6th Grade	WV Assessment English Language Arts 7th Grade	WV Assessment English Language Arts 8th Grade	WV Assessment English Language Arts All Grades	WV Assessment Science 5th Grade	WV Assessment Science 8th Grade	WV Assessment Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Independence Middle School	Public	6-8	800 Independence Rd	Coal City	25921	Raleigh County	Raleigh County Schools	No	No	No	No	(304) 683-4542	401	35	11.4	65.7%	367 (91.5%)	8 (2.0%)	7 (1.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (4.5%)	68.9	40^th of 161 public middle schools	75.2%		75.9	26^th of 168 public middle schools	84.5%	14		40.6	49.2	43.1	44.6		48.1	57.8	52.6	53.1		26.7		$11,234	$578	$10,655
Park Middle School	Public	6-8	212 Park Ave	Beckley	25801	Raleigh County	Raleigh County Schools	No	No	No	No	(304) 256-4586	391	33	12.0	45.5%	285 (72.9%)	57 (14.6%)	6 (1.5%)	6 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (9.5%)	74.3	33^rd of 161 public middle schools	79.5%		76	25^th of 168 public middle schools	85.1%	8		69.3	56.5	28.8	48.7		64.8	49.2	51.8	54.1		31.2		$12,375	$715	$11,660
Shady Spring Middle School	Public	6-8	500 Flat Top Rd	Shady Spring	25918	Raleigh County	Raleigh County Schools	No	No	No	No	(304) 256-4570	599	45	13.3	46.1%	571 (95.3%)	8 (1.3%)	4 (0.7%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (2.3%)	79.2	20^th of 161 public middle schools	87.6%		66.8	35^th of 168 public middle schools	79.2%	15		51.7	50.3	46.5	49.4		59.2	50.0	52.0	53.7		36.1		$9,670	$663	$9,008
Beckley-Stratton Middle School	Public	6-8	401 Grey Flats Rd	Beckley	25801	Raleigh County	Raleigh County Schools	No	No	No	No	(304) 256-4616	590	66	8.9	70.1%	390 (66.1%)	119 (20.2%)	12 (2.0%)	4 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	64 (10.8%)	45.5	91^st of 161 public middle schools	43.5%		36	114^th of 168 public middle schools	32.1%	23		36.8	45.0	21.1	33.5		46.1	48.8	39.0	44.2		18.4		$11,345	$1,393	$9,952
Trap Hill Middle School	Public	6-8	665 Coal River Rd	Glen Daniel	25844	Raleigh County	Raleigh County Schools	No	No	No	No	(304) 934-5392	331	34	9.8	63.3%	314 (94.9%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	10 (3.0%)	81.3	19^th of 161 public middle schools	88.2%		66.7	36^th of 168 public middle schools	78.6%	17		40.2	48.0	53.8	47.7		57.3	58.8	57.0	57.8		37.6		$12,988	$856	$12,132
Mullens Middle School	Public	5-8	801 Moran Ave	Mullens	25882	Wyoming County	Wyoming County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(304) 294-5757	144	12	12.3	56.7%	136 (94.4%)	3 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (3.5%)	39.2	108^th of 161 public middle schools	32.9%		31.1	124^th of 168 public middle schools	26.2%	16	23.5	28.6	12.0	30.6	24.6	38.2	51.4	44.0	44.4	44.6	20.6	22.2	21.4	$10,642	$1,584	$9,058
Pineville Middle School	Public	5-8	607 River Road	Pineville	24874	Wyoming County	Wyoming County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(304) 732-6442	218	16	13.9	46.6%	216 (99.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	30	124^th of 161 public middle schools	23.0%		41.5	96^th of 168 public middle schools	42.9%	28	63.4	37.1	19.5	23.9	34.2	53.7	45.7	31.7	41.8	42.9	41.5	10.5	22.2	$9,897	$1,371	$8,526

Frequently Asked Questions about Independence Middle School

What district is Independence Middle School in?

Raleigh County Schools

What high school do graduates of Independence Middle School attend?

Students who attend Independence Middle School usually go on to attend Independence High School

Is Independence Middle School a good school?

Independence Middle School ranks 40^th of 161 West Virginia middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Independence Middle School?

Students at Independence Middle School are 92% White, 4% Two or more races, 2% African American, 2% Hispanic.

How many students attend Independence Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 401 students attended Independence Middle School.

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Latest West Virginia data All new data »

2019–20 through 2024–25 school spending dataAug 24, 2026

2025–26 WV Assessment scoresAug 12, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 9, 2026

2024–25 WV Assessment scoresAug 13, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the West 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.