Valley Middle School

Summary:

Valley Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 6-8 in the Grand Forks 1 School District in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a diverse student population of 513 as of the 2022-2023 school year.

Despite its diversity, Valley Middle School has consistently underperformed compared to other middle schools in the district. The school has ranked in the bottom quarter of North Dakota middle schools over the past decade, with low proficiency rates in NDSA Mathematics and Reading that are significantly below the district and state averages. Valley Middle School also experiences high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 27% to 39% over the past 5 years, and elevated dropout rates between 2-5% over the past 4 years. These challenges are compounded by the fact that 55.75% of the school's students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a higher proportion of students from low-income families.

When compared to nearby South Middle School and Schroeder Middle School, both of which have significantly higher test scores, lower chronic absenteeism, and better overall rankings, Valley Middle School stands out as the lowest-performing school in the Grand Forks 1 School District. Addressing the root causes of the school's underperformance, such as attendance and retention issues, will be crucial for improving student outcomes at Valley Middle School.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 2100 5th Ave N
       Grand Forks, ND  58203


(701) 746-2360

District: Grand Forks 1

SchoolDigger Rank:
24th of 24 North Dakota Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,896 Help


Students who attend Valley Middle School usually attend:

High:    Central High School

Feeder schools for Valley Middle School:

Elementary:    Lake Agassiz Elementary School
    Phoenix Elementary School
    Wilder Elementary School
    Winship Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  9.3 Help
Number of students:  503

Racial breakdown:

White:
53.3%
Two or more races:
16.5%
Hispanic:
16.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  49.9% Help


 See top rated North Dakota middle schools

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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Valley Middle School ranks worse than 100% of middle schools in North Dakota. It also ranks last among 3 ranked middle schools in the Grand Forks 1 School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 12.12. (See more...)
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Valley Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (53.3%), two or more races (16.5%), Hispanic (16.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 49.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Grand Forks 1 School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Valley Middle School is 9.3, which is the 2nd best among 3 middle schools in the Grand Forks 1 School District. (See more...)
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Compare Valley Middle School employs 53.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Valley Middle School is $14,896, which is the highest among 4 middle schools in the Grand Forks 1 School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Valley Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Valley Middle School 24th of 24 North Dakota public middle schools. (See Valley Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Grand Forks 1:

SchoolDigger ranks Grand Forks 1 6th of 20 North Dakota school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Valley Middle School

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Rank History for all students at Valley Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools ND State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 41.70 96th 124 22.6%
2013 41.00 108th 135 20.0%
2014 48.38 90th 136 33.8%
2015 33.46 79th 109 27.5%
2016 29.70 96th 116 17.2%
2017 20.15 28th 32 12.5%
2018 10.13 21st 21 0.0%
2019 10.55 22nd 23 4.3%
2021 23.78 20th 24 16.7%
2022 15.34 24th 28 14.3%
2023 11.83 26th 27 3.7%
2024 12.12 24th 24 0.0%
See the entire list of North Dakota Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Valley Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools ND State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.77 9th 13 30.8%
2019 13.41 12th 12 0.0%
2022 9.86 3rd 3 0.0%
2023 9.10 12th 12 0.0%
2024 16.51 11th 11 0.0%
See the entire list of Best North Dakota Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Valley Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools ND State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 11.77 17th 17 0.0%
2019 8.20 17th 17 0.0%
2021 7.49 17th 17 0.0%
2022 6.23 18th 19 5.3%
2023 4.27 19th 20 5.0%
2024 3.45 19th 19 0.0%
See the entire list of Best North Dakota Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Valley Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools ND State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 7.15 17th 17 0.0%
2019 3.27 18th 18 0.0%
2021 19.13 16th 18 11.1%
2022 14.34 19th 20 5.0%
2023 18.05 17th 20 15.0%
2024 15.41 18th 19 5.3%
See the entire list of Best North Dakota Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Valley Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools ND State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 14.61 18th 18 0.0%
2019 6.46 21st 21 0.0%
2021 16.92 21st 22 4.5%
2022 12.09 23rd 25 8.0%
2023 12.86 21st 25 16.0%
2024 9.36 23rd 23 0.0%
See the entire list of Best North Dakota Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Valley Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 



Data source: North Dakota Department of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

Reviews:
by a student
Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Open Quote SUCKED and I got bullied alot Close Quote



Enrollment information for Valley Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 513 19 4 17 27 n/a n/a 0 580
1989 563 18 6 14 19 n/a n/a 0 620
1990 550 16 5 15 22 n/a n/a 0 608
1991 572 17 8 14 26 n/a n/a 0 637
1992 559 13 6 11 32 n/a n/a 0 621
1993 558 26 9 15 45 n/a n/a 0 653
1994 565 23 8 11 40 n/a n/a 0 647
1995 328 9 5 12 23 n/a n/a 0 377
1996 328 9 5 12 23 n/a n/a 0 377
1997 319 14 6 11 42 n/a n/a 0 392
1998 324 8 4 15 27 n/a n/a 0 378
1999 335 9 5 16 29 n/a n/a 0 394
2000 428 14 7 25 46 n/a n/a 0 520
2001 421 12 5 24 63 n/a n/a 0 525
2002 421 13 9 20 65 n/a n/a 0 528
2003 421 13 9 20 65 n/a n/a 0 528
2004 430 17 6 21 67 n/a n/a 0 541
2005 374 14 14 24 83 n/a n/a 0 509
2006 388 9 5 20 46 n/a n/a 0 468
2007 349 8 9 23 51 n/a n/a 0 440
2008 335 9 11 15 49 n/a n/a 0 419
2009 305 13 7 16 62 n/a n/a 0 403
2010 302 7 10 15 69 n/a n/a 0 403
2011 301 14 9 0 63 1 16 0 404
2012 298 13 7 18 66 1 0 0 403
2013 303 15 0 16 54 3 0 0 391
2014 273 21 4 21 55 2 0 0 376
2015 254 34 9 29 44 4 0 0 374
2016 293 38 11 47 44 1 1 0 435
2017 352 41 11 58 40 1 3 0 506
2018 413 45 14 56 50 4 3 0 585
2019 404 37 16 60 37 5 37 0 596
2020 386 40 18 70 45 0 48 0 607
2021 310 34 13 80 38 0 63 0 538
2022 278 37 6 96 38 1 71 0 527
2023 245 42 9 89 36 2 90 0 513
2024 268 32 14 81 24 1 83 0 503

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Valley Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 580 23.6 24.5 n/a
1989 620 25.1 24.7 n/a
1990 608 27.7 21.9 n/a
1991 637 31.3 20.3 n/a
1992 621 29.3 21.1 n/a
1993 653 44.1 14.8 23
1994 647 46.2 14.0 28.4
1995 377 30.1 12.5 44.6
1996 377 30.1 12.5 44.6
1997 392 30.6 12.8 27.6
1998 378 30.7 12.3 33.9
1999 394 30.7 12.8 32.2
2000 520 46.7 11.1 30
2001 525 48.4 10.8 44
2002 528 52.0 10.2 46.2
2003 528 52.0 10.2 46.2
2004 541 52.9 10.2 45.3
2005 509 51.6 9.9 48.1
2006 468 51.0 9.2 45.5
2007 440 51.2 8.6 43
2008 419 51.0 8.2 47.5
2009 403 50.4 8.0 50.9
2010 403 53.0 7.6 56.3
2011 404 53.0 7.6 57.4
2012 403 49.5 8.1 56.8
2013 391 50.0 7.8 49.9
2014 376 49.0 7.6 56.6
2015 374 48.0 7.7 55.9
2016 435 50.0 8.7 52.4
2017 506 50.5 10.0 51.6
2018 585 53.0 11.0 48.9
2019 596 59.0 10.1 47.1
2020 607 58.0 10.4 48.8
2021 538 58.0 9.2 44.8
2022 527 58.0 9.0 39.3
2023 513 54.0 9.5 55.8
2024 503 53.8 9.3 49.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Valley Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 580 23.6 24.5 n/a
1989 620 25.1 24.7 n/a
1990 608 27.7 21.9 n/a
1991 637 31.3 20.3 n/a
1992 621 29.3 21.1 n/a
1993 653 44.1 14.8 23
1994 647 46.2 14.0 28.4
1995 377 30.1 12.5 44.6
1996 377 30.1 12.5 44.6
1997 392 30.6 12.8 27.6
1998 378 30.7 12.3 33.9
1999 394 30.7 12.8 32.2
2000 520 46.7 11.1 30
2001 525 48.4 10.8 44
2002 528 52.0 10.2 46.2
2003 528 52.0 10.2 46.2
2004 541 52.9 10.2 45.3
2005 509 51.6 9.9 48.1
2006 468 51.0 9.2 45.5
2007 440 51.2 8.6 43
2008 419 51.0 8.2 47.5
2009 403 50.4 8.0 50.9
2010 403 53.0 7.6 56.3
2011 404 53.0 7.6 57.4
2012 403 49.5 8.1 56.8
2013 391 50.0 7.8 49.9
2014 376 49.0 7.6 56.6
2015 374 48.0 7.7 55.9
2016 435 50.0 8.7 52.4
2017 506 50.5 10.0 51.6
2018 585 53.0 11.0 48.9
2019 596 59.0 10.1 47.1
2020 607 58.0 10.4 48.8
2021 538 58.0 9.2 44.8
2022 527 58.0 9.0 39.3
2023 513 54.0 9.5 55.8
2024 503 53.8 9.3 49.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Valley Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $815 (6.8%) $11,233 (93.2%) $12,049
2020 $1,373 (10.9%) $11,207 (89.1%) $12,579
2021 $1,506 (10.8%) $12,443 (89.2%) $13,949
2022 $2,455 (16.5%) $12,441 (83.5%) $14,896

Data source: North Dakota Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Valley Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 22nd of 23 Middle schoolsRanks 26th of 27 Middle schools
 0.6%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
All Grades Mathematics (Valley Middle School)3423
 11%
   All Grades Mathematics (Grand Forks 1)4640
 6%
   All Grades Mathematics (North Dakota)4539
 6%
All Grades Reading (Valley Middle School)3337
 4%
   All Grades Reading (Grand Forks 1)4948
 1%
   All Grades Reading (North Dakota)4744
 3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students596513
 13.9%
African American3742
 13.5%
American Indian3736
 2.7%
Asian169
 43.8%
Hispanic6089
 48.3%
Pacific Islander52
 60%
White404245
 39.4%
Two or More Races3790
 143.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients47.1%55.8%
 8.6%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Valley Middle School

Students at Valley Middle School are 53% White, 17% Two or more races, 16% Hispanic, 6% African American, 5% American Indian, 3% Asian.

In the 2023-24 school year, 503 students attended Valley Middle School.

Students who attend Valley Middle School usually go on to attend Central High School

Valley Middle School ranks in the bottom 0.0% of North Dakota middle schools.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction.

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.





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