U.S. News & World Report has named Porter Traditional School the fourth-best middle school in Virginia. The ranking highlights the school’s academic achievements in mathematics and reading, setting it apart from other middle schools in the state.

Principal Kaitlyn Engelmeier-Foor attributes the school's success to its mission and holistic approach. “From the beginning, Porter’s mission and vision has been to prepare our students to be lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and problem solvers,” she said. “This is not only achieved in the classroom, nor does it only include the teacher and student. Porter students are here for eight years. We build significant and meaningful relationships with our families. Because of the relationships we develop with the students and families, we can provide individualized student success based on their needs.”

The annual rankings are based on a comprehensive analysis of performance indicators, including mathematics and reading proficiency. U.S. News & World Report evaluates schools by comparing students’ performance on state assessments to its modeled expectations. This model accounts for various factors to determine how effectively a school is supporting its students' academic growth.

Engelmeier-Foor emphasized the school’s commitment to continuous improvement, high expectations, and accountability, all of which empower students to succeed. “We work to provide a positive, motivating, and challenging environment to our students,” she stated. “Our systems and processes incorporate a constant focus on continuous improvement, which supports individualized success.”

This marks the second time Porter has earned this recognition. “It means our hard work, dedication, and commitment to providing our students a positive, motivating, and challenging environment is working,” shared Engelmeier-Foor. “It is extremely gratifying, and we are so very proud to receive this recognition for a second time.”

The ranking underscores the school’s commitment to preparing students for future success and highlights its role as a leader in middle school education within Virginia.