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Excellent

#93 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 5% 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

8.9

Grades

Pre-K – 7th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#93 of 1,851

In district

#1 of 7

Patrick County Public Schools

Equity

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Blue Ridge Elementary

8.9/10

Elementary School in Ararat · grades Pre-K – 7th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Flat Rock Elementary

5.5/10

6.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Jones Intermediate

6.0/10

6.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Blue Ridge Elementary

Blue Ridge Elementary is a public elementary school in Ararat, VA, part of Patrick County Public Schools. Blue Ridge Elementary serves approximately 226 students, and covers grades Pre-K-7th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Blue Ridge Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10 and ranks #93 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Blue Ridge Elementary show 85% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts above district
  • This school 8.9 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.0
  • VA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Blue Ridge Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+0.18 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency86% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency85% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg+12.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.3 pts
Overall Proficiency86% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)64% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+21.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
Resources & Environment6.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,922
Chronic Absenteeism23.9%

Blue Ridge Elementary — Students at Blue Ridge Elementary score 86% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

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 85.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
70.0% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 82.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.4% (2025 SOL)

Based on 37 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2017
ELA
87%
2018
Math
97.5%
ELA
87%
2019
Math
97.5%
ELA
87%
2020*
Math
72%
ELA
77%
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: 9.6/10.

How Blue Ridge Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.9/10
95th percentile in VA
Academic
9.1/10
Excellent
Growth
9.6/10
Excellent
Environment
6.8/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Gladesboro Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Hillsville), with a very similar rating. Another option is Pilot Mountain Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Pilot Mountain), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Fancy Gap Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Fancy Gap), with a comparable rating. 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 5.5
Jones Intermediate Mount Airy 6.6 mi 6.0
TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Stuart 6.5 mi 4.7
Millennium Charter Academy Mount Airy 7.6 mi 4.7
Mount Airy Middle Mount Airy 8.4 mi 6.6
Gladesboro Elementary Hillsville 8.2 mi 9.0
Mount Airy High Mount Airy 8.4 mi 6.9
Westfield Elementary Pilot Mountain 9.8 mi 5.5
Bruce H. Tharrington Primary Mount Airy 9.1 mi 6.8
Franklin Elementary Mount Airy 10.2 mi 6.9
Meadows of Dan Elementary Meadows Of Dan 11.2 mi 6.8
J Sam Gentry Middle Mount Airy 10.7 mi 6.6
St. Paul Cana 10.0 mi 8.3
Meadowview Magnet Middle Mount Airy 11.4 mi 6.7
WHITE PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mount Airy 12.0 mi 6.3
North Surry High Mount Airy 11.2 mi 5.1
Pilot Mountain Middle Pilot Mountain 13.9 mi 8.5
Fancy Gap Elementary Fancy Gap 12.1 mi 8.4
East Surry High Pilot Mountain 14.4 mi 6.7
Pilot Mountain Elementary Pilot Mountain 14.7 mi 8.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Fries Elementary Fries, VA 8.9
Hillsboro Charter Academy Purcellville, VA 8.9
Nottoway Elementary Sedley, VA 8.9
Banneker Elementary Middleburg, VA 9.0
Bonsack Elementary Roanoke, VA 8.8
Crystal Spring Elementary Roanoke, VA 9.0

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 ranks #93 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Blue Ridge Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Blue Ridge Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Blue Ridge Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Blue Ridge Elementary has 85% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
18 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.9%

District

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

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