Best Schools in Lexington, Virginia
8 schools · 3 Elementary · 3 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Lexington?
Use this page to compare every school in Lexington by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Harrington Waddell Elementary
Elementary · Lexington City Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Lylburn Downing Middle
Middle · Lexington City Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Maury River Middle
Middle · Rockbridge County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Lexington for 2026 are Harrington Waddell Elementary (9.2/10), Lylburn Downing Middle (8.4/10), and Maury River Middle (6.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
8
5 public · 3 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$294,200
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
8
5 public · 3 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$294,200
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Lexington
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 8). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrington Waddell Elementary | 9.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Lylburn Downing Middle | 8.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Maury River Middle | 6.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Central Elementary | 6.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Rockbridge County High | 6.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Rockbridge Christian Academy | 5.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.0/10
- Median household income
- $77,839
- Median home value
- $294,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 46%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 67%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Lexington compares
Virginia rank
#60 of 182
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.7
above Virginia avg (6.2)
Median household income
$78k
89% of Virginia median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Lexington, Virginia
Lexington, Virginia is home to 8 schools, including 5 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.0 out of 10, schools in Lexington show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Lexington is Harrington Waddell Elementary with a composite score of 9.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Lexington is served by 2 school districts: Lexington City Public Schools, Rockbridge County Public Schools. These districts collectively serve 3,006 students.
Lexington's community shows 46% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $77,839. The poverty rate in the area is 9.3%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 328 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.2 | ||
| 2 | 460 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.3 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Earthsong Community School
Private
25 students · Pre-K–5th | — | ||
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 180 students · 6th–8th | 8.4 | ||
| 2 | 459 students · 6th–8th | 6.5 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Buffalo Creek Boys School
Private
8 students · 6th–8th | — | ||
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 968 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rockbridge Christian Academy
Private
85 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.1 |
Schools in Lexington
Lexington, Virginia · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$77,839
Median Home Value
$294,200
Median Rent
$1,017/mo
Population
17,760
College Educated
46%
Homeownership
67%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
9.3%
Community Profile
Lexington has a median household income of $77,839. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $294,200, with a median rent of $1,017/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Virginia
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Virginia
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Lexington, Virginia
How many schools are in Lexington, Virginia?
Lexington has 8 schools, including 5 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Lexington, Virginia?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Lexington is 7.0 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Lexington, Virginia?
The top-ranked school in Lexington on MySchoolScout is Harrington Waddell Elementary with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Lexington, Virginia?
The top-ranked elementary school in Lexington on MySchoolScout is Harrington Waddell Elementary with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Lexington, Virginia?
The top-ranked middle school in Lexington on MySchoolScout is Lylburn Downing Middle with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best high school in Lexington, Virginia?
The top-ranked high school in Lexington on MySchoolScout is Rockbridge County High with a composite score of 6.2/10.
How many school districts serve Lexington, Virginia?
Lexington is served by 2 school districts: Lexington City Public Schools, Rockbridge County Public Schools.
What is the education level in Lexington, Virginia?
According to Census data, 46% of adults in Lexington have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Lexington, Virginia?
The median household income in Lexington is approximately $77,839 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Lexington, Virginia?
Yes, Lexington has 3 private schools alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Rockbridge Christian Academy with a score of 5.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Lexington, Virginia?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Lexington is 9.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Lexington, Virginia?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Virginia Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.