Skip to main content

Very Good

#622 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 34% in state

Blue Ridge Elementary

Elementary School · Patrick County Public Schools

PO Box 30, Ararat, VA 24053

Enrollment

226

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Pre-K – 7th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia elementary schools

#337 of 1,147

In district

#2 of 7

Patrick County Public Schools

Equity

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Blue Ridge Elementary

Blue Ridge Elementary serves 226 students from pre-kindergarten through seventh grade in Ararat, Virginia, offering an unusually extended elementary experience that bridges into the middle school years. With 19 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1, allowing for more individualized attention and smaller class sizes that can benefit student learning. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #229 out of 1,856 Virginia schools, placing it in the impressive 88th percentile statewide.

This strong ranking suggests Blue Ridge Elementary is outperforming the majority of schools across Virginia, providing quality education to its rural community. Located in Patrick County, the school serves families in a community where the median household income is $42,302 and median home values are $142,200. About 17% of local families face economic challenges, while 10% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The school draws from a close-knit ZIP code area with just over 2,000 residents. Blue Ridge Elementary sits in Virginia's scenic rural landscape, providing students with a small-town educational environment where teachers can build meaningful relationships with students and families across this tight-knit mountain community.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Blue Ridge Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.0Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency86%
Reading/ELA Proficiency85%
Math vs. State Avg+12.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.3 pts
Overall Proficiency86%
Expected (poverty-adj.)68%
vs. Expected+17.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,667

Blue Ridge Elementary — Students at Blue Ridge Elementary score 86% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 86.2%
School
State
70.0%
ELA Proficiency 84.1%
School
State
72.4%

Based on 16 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
97.5%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
86.7%
ELA
84.8%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.0/10.

How Blue Ridge Elementary Compares

See how Blue Ridge Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
66th percentile in VA
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

PO Box 30, Ararat, VA 24053

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Blue Ridge Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pilot Mountain Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Pilot Mountain), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gladesboro Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Hillsville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jones Intermediate (rated 8.0/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Mount Airy), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Ararat, see our Ararat schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Flat Rock Elementary Mount Airy 6.8 mi 4.5
Jones Intermediate Mount Airy 6.6 mi 8.0
TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Stuart 6.5 mi 4.7
Millennium Charter Academy Mount Airy 7.6 mi 3.3
Mount Airy Middle Mount Airy 8.4 mi 6.4
Gladesboro Elementary Hillsville 8.2 mi 8.3
Mount Airy High Mount Airy 8.4 mi 3.9
Westfield Elementary Pilot Mountain 9.8 mi 6.6
Bruce H. Tharrington Primary Mount Airy 9.1 mi 6.5
Franklin Elementary Mount Airy 10.2 mi 7.1
Meadows of Dan Elementary Meadows Of Dan 11.2 mi 3.5
J Sam Gentry Middle Mount Airy 10.7 mi 6.6
St. Paul Cana 10.0 mi 7.5
Meadowview Magnet Middle Mount Airy 11.4 mi 7.1
WHITE PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mount Airy 12.0 mi 6.3
North Surry High Mount Airy 11.2 mi 4.1
Pilot Mountain Middle Pilot Mountain 13.9 mi 8.7
Fancy Gap Elementary Fancy Gap 12.1 mi 5.1
East Surry High Pilot Mountain 14.4 mi 5.5
Pilot Mountain Elementary Pilot Mountain 14.7 mi 8.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24053 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,173

Median Home Value

$159,200

Median Rent

$890/mo

Population

2,461

College Educated

10.6%

Homeownership

70.8%

Avg Commute

41.5 min

Poverty Rate

7.6%

Median Age

46.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Blue Ridge Elementary has a median household income of $52,173. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $159,200, with a median rent of $890/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 42 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ANGELUS ACADEMY Springfield, VA 7.1
Beaverdam Elementary Beaverdam, VA 7.1
Clays Mill Elementary Scottsburg, VA 7.1
MERRITT ACADEMY Fairfax, VA 7.1
PEABODY SCHOOL Charlottesville, VA 7.1
SABOT SCHOOL Richmond, VA 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Blue Ridge Elementary

What grades does Blue Ridge Elementary serve?

Blue Ridge Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 7th.

How many students attend Blue Ridge Elementary?

Blue Ridge Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 226 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Blue Ridge Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Blue Ridge Elementary is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Blue Ridge Elementary rank in VA?

Blue Ridge Elementary is ranked #622 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Blue Ridge Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Blue Ridge Elementary has a composite rating of 7.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Blue Ridge Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Blue Ridge Elementary has 86.2% math proficiency and 84.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Blue Ridge Elementary a charter school?

No, Blue Ridge Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Blue Ridge Elementary a Title I school?

No, Blue Ridge Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Blue Ridge Elementary?

96.9% of students at Blue Ridge Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Elevated (1,250/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 7th
Enrollment
226
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Patrick County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Patrick County Public Schools
District Enrollment
2,377
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,922
District Rank
#2 of 7

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.