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Very Good

#501 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 27% in state

Buchanan Elementary

Elementary School · Botetourt County Public Schools

255 Schoolhouse Rd, Buchanan, VA 24066

Enrollment

300

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#501 of 1,851

In Buchanan

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#9 of 11

Botetourt County Public Schools

School environment

8.1 / 10

Excellent

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Buchanan Elementary

7.5/10

Elementary School in Buchanan · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

James River High

7.8/10

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

Montvale Elementary

5.9/10

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

About Buchanan Elementary

Buchanan Elementary is a public elementary school in Buchanan, VA, part of Botetourt County Public Schools. Buchanan Elementary serves approximately 300 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. Buchanan Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #501 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Buchanan Elementary show 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • District avg 8.3
  • VA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Buchanan 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 Progress7.3Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.6 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency80% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency81% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg+6.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.3 pts
Overall Proficiency81% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)77% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+3.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,903
Chronic Absenteeism9%

Buchanan Elementary — Students at Buchanan Elementary score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 77%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 82.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.5% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 84.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.2% (2025 SOL)

Based on 33 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
97.5%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
97.5%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2015
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2017
ELA
87%
2018
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2019
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2020*
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
80%
ELA
81.5%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Buchanan Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
73th percentile in VA
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
7.3/10
Very Good
Environment
8.1/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.0%

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

255 Schoolhouse Rd, Buchanan, VA 24066

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Buchanan Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Colonial Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Troutville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Troutville Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Troutville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Eagle Rock Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Eagle Rock), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Buchanan, see our Buchanan schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.8 mi
School Distance Rating
James River High Buchanan 2.7 mi 7.8
Montvale Elementary Montvale 9.4 mi 5.9
Central Academy Middle Fincastle 8.7 mi 8.9
Troutville Elementary Troutville 9.3 mi 9.0
Breckinridge Elementary Fincastle 9.3 mi 7.9
Eagle Rock Elementary Eagle Rock 11.6 mi 8.9
Colonial Elementary Troutville 13.3 mi 9.1
Natural Bridge Elementary Natural Bridge Station 13.5 mi 6.2
Lord Botetourt High Daleville 13.7 mi 8.1
Greenfield Elementary Troutville 13.6 mi 7.3
Bedford Primary Bedford 15.2 mi 5.1
Cloverdale Elementary Cloverdale 14.9 mi 8.2
Liberty High Bedford 14.9 mi 6.3
Bedford Elementary Bedford 15.8 mi 6.2
Read Mountain Middle Cloverdale 15.2 mi 7.5
Bonsack Elementary Roanoke 15.8 mi 8.8
Stewartsville Elementary Goodview 17.3 mi 7.3
Liberty Middle Bedford 15.2 mi 7.9
MINERAL SPRINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Vinton 17.2 mi 4.9
Goodview Elementary Goodview 17.8 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24066 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,536

Median Home Value

$200,100

Median Rent

$947/mo

Population

5,234

College Educated

19.1%

Homeownership

84.4%

Avg Commute

31.8 min

Poverty Rate

9.4%

Median Age

50.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Barron Elementary Hampton, VA 7.5
CONGRESSIONAL SCHOOL Falls Church, VA 7.5
Concord Elementary Concord, VA 7.5
G.A. Treakle Elementary Chesapeake, VA 7.5
Gilbert Linkous Elementary Blacksburg, VA 7.5
Little Run Elementary Fairfax, VA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Buchanan Elementary

What grades does Buchanan Elementary serve?

Buchanan Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Buchanan Elementary?

Buchanan Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 300 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Buchanan Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Buchanan Elementary is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Buchanan Elementary rank in VA?

Buchanan Elementary ranks #501 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Buchanan Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Buchanan Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 Buchanan Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Buchanan Elementary has 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Buchanan Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Buchanan Elementary a Title I school?

No, Buchanan Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

47.3% of students at Buchanan 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
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
300
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Botetourt County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.0%

District

Botetourt County Public Schools
District Enrollment
4,488
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,903
District Rank
#9 of 11

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