James Madison Middle School located in the Franklin-Colonial neighborhood of Roanoke, Virginia, USA, is situated on a large hill with a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Opened in 1970, it is a magnet school for technology and is part of the Roanoke City Public Schools. The school's athletics teams are the Matadors.
Serving 558 students in grades 6-8, James Madison Middle School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Virginia for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 54% (which is lower than the Virginia state average of 68%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 68% (which is lower than the Virginia state average of 69%).
The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is lower than the Virginia state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Black), which is equal to the Virginia state average of 56% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 6-8
- Enrollment: 558 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 13:1
- Minority Enrollment: 56%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in VA
- Math Proficiency: 54% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 68% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 68% (Top 30%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
James Madison Middle School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Virginia for:
Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
James Madison Middle School's student population of 558 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 43 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 6-8
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
558 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
43 teachers
Year Founded
1970
School Rankings
James Madison Middle School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,773 schools in Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of James Madison Middle School is 0.66, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1229 out of 1773 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
54%
68%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)68%
69%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)68%
59%
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
14:1
American Indian
1%
n/a
Asian
1%
8%
Hispanic
9%
19%
Black
38%
22%
White
44%
44%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
7%
7%
All Ethnic Groups
Eligible for Free Lunch
98%
55%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (20-21)
4%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is James Madison Middle School's ranking?
James Madison Middle School is ranked #1229 out of 1,773 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Virginia.
What schools are James Madison Middle School often compared to?
James Madison Middle Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Addison Aerospace Magnet Middle School, Woodrow Wilson Middle School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
54% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 68% VA state average), while 68% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 69% VA state average).
How many students attend James Madison Middle School?
558 students attend James Madison Middle School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
44% of James Madison Middle School students are White, 38% of students are Black, 9% of students are Hispanic, 7% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of James Madison Middle School?
James Madison Middle School has a student ration of 13:1, which is lower than the Virginia state average of 14:1.
What grades does James Madison Middle School offer ?
James Madison Middle School offers enrollment in grades 6-8 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is James Madison Middle School part of?
James Madison Middle School is part of Roanoke City School District.
School Reviews
Review James Madison Middle School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles

The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.

Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State鈥檚 Public School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We鈥檒l look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.

Can Your Child鈥檚 School Meet the National Standards?
The article discusses the challenges public schools face in meeting national educational standards. It examines current performance trends, identifies key issues affecting student achievement, and explores potential solutions for improving academic outcomes across U.S. public schools.