Average
#685 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 37% in state
Buffalo Gap High
High School · Augusta County Public Schools
1800 Buffalo Gap Hwy, Swoope, VA 24479
Enrollment
416
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
416
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia high schools
#145 of 323
In district
#2 of 18
Augusta County Public Schools
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Buffalo Gap High
Buffalo Gap High serves 416 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Swoope, Virginia. This Augusta County school has earned recognition as one of Virginia's top-performing high schools, ranking 29th out of 1,856 schools statewide and placing in the 98th percentile with a strong 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school maintains a favorable learning environment with 37 full-time equivalent teachers and an 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention than many larger schools.
This smaller scale can benefit students who thrive in close-knit academic communities where teachers and students often develop meaningful relationships. Buffalo Gap High draws from a stable rural community where the median household income is $74,034 and median home values reach $342,000. The area shows strong educational values, with 37% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains economic stability with a low 8.7% poverty rate among its 2,119 residents.
Located on Buffalo Gap Highway in the scenic Shenandoah Valley region, the school serves families who appreciate the benefits of rural living while maintaining access to quality education. The combination of small-town community values and academic excellence makes Buffalo Gap High an appealing choice for families in western Virginia's Augusta County.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Buffalo Gap High 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
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Buffalo Gap High — Students at Buffalo Gap High score 93% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 81%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.7/10.
How Buffalo Gap High Compares
See how Buffalo Gap High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 92% (2019) to 99% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 77% (2019) to 87% (2025).
Location
1800 Buffalo Gap Hwy, Swoope, VA 24479
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Buffalo Gap High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. STUART HALL SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Staunton), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Staunton High (rated 7.7/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Staunton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Riverheads High (rated 7.3/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Staunton), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Swoope, see our Swoope schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Churchville Elementary Churchville | 3.7 mi | 3.5 |
| Beverley Manor Middle Staunton | 6.2 mi | 3.4 |
| Shelburne Middle Staunton | 6.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Arthur R. Ware Elementary Staunton | 6.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Staunton City School PreSchool Programs Staunton | 7.2 mi | 5.5 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE Staunton | 7.8 mi | 5.8 |
| STUART HALL SCHOOL Staunton | 8.2 mi | 7.9 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Staunton | 8.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Bessie Weller Elementary Staunton | 8.8 mi | 8.3 |
| ELK HILL STAUNTON SCHOOL Staunton | 8.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind High Staunton | 8.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind Middle Staunton | 8.9 mi | — |
| Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind Elementary Staunton | 8.9 mi | — |
| Thomas C. McSwain Elementary Staunton | 9.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Staunton High Staunton | 9.2 mi | 7.7 |
| C.F. RICHARDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Staunton | 9.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Riverheads Elementary Staunton | 11.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Riverheads High Staunton | 11.9 mi | 7.3 |
| North River Elementary Mount Solon | 11.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Craigsville Elementary Craigsville | 11.8 mi | 3.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24479 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$88,830
Median Home Value
$324,700
Population
1,957
College Educated
32.5%
Homeownership
91.6%
Poverty Rate
2.2%
Median Age
41.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Buffalo Gap High has a median household income of $88,830. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $324,700. The local poverty rate of 2.2% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Craig County High New Castle, VA | 7.0 |
| Graham High Bluefield, VA | 7.0 |
| Lancaster High Lancaster, VA | 7.0 |
| Union High Big Stone Gap, VA | 7.0 |
| Eastside High Coeburn, VA | 6.8 |
| Essex High Tappahannock, VA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Buffalo Gap High
What grades does Buffalo Gap High serve?
Buffalo Gap High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Buffalo Gap High?
Buffalo Gap High has an enrollment of approximately 416 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Buffalo Gap High?
The student-teacher ratio at Buffalo Gap High is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Buffalo Gap High rank in VA?
Buffalo Gap High is ranked #685 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Buffalo Gap High's MySchoolScout rating?
Buffalo Gap High has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Buffalo Gap High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buffalo Gap High has 92.7% math proficiency and 80.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Buffalo Gap High a charter school?
No, Buffalo Gap High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Buffalo Gap High a Title I school?
No, Buffalo Gap High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buffalo Gap High?
42.1% of students at Buffalo Gap High 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 (820/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 416
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Augusta County
- Phone
- (540) 337-6021
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Augusta County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 10,139
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,991
- District Rank
- #2 of 18
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
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