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
Enrollment
226
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 7th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Blue Ridge Elementary — Students at Blue Ridge Elementary score 86% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 16 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 97.5% (2019) to 86% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 87% (2019) to 85% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (276) 251-5271
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Patrick County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,377
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,922
- District Rank
- #2 of 7
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated 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.