Needs Improvement
#1698 of 1,850 schools in VA
Castlewood Elementary
Elementary School · Russell County Public Schools
242 Blue Devil Circle, Castlewood, VA 24224
Enrollment
229
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
3.7
Grades
2nd – 7th
Enrollment
229
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
3.7
Grades
2nd – 7th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Castlewood
#3 of 3
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#1,005 of 1,147
In district
#10 of 11
Russell County Public Schools
School environment
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Castlewood Elementary
Castlewood Elementary serves 229 students in grades 2 through 7 in the rural community of Castlewood, Virginia. Located on Blue Devil Circle in Russell County, this regular public school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1 with 24 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school has earned a solid 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #270 out of 1,856 Virginia schools, placing it in the 86th percentile statewide.
This strong performance is particularly noteworthy given the school's rural setting and the economic challenges facing the broader community. Castlewood Elementary serves families in ZIP code 24224, where the median household income is $44,026 and the median home value is $107,500. The area has a poverty rate of 27.7%, with 12% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
Despite these socioeconomic factors, the school demonstrates academic success that exceeds many expectations. The school operates within a close-knit rural community of approximately 5,810 residents, where traditional small-town values and strong community connections help create a supportive educational environment for students and families.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, Castlewood Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Castlewood 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
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Castlewood Elementary — Students at Castlewood Elementary score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
92.1%
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: 1.9/10.
How Castlewood Elementary Compares
See how Castlewood Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 90% (2019) to 58% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 79% (2019) to 65% (2025).
Location
242 Blue Devil Circle, Castlewood, VA 24224
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Castlewood Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. St. Paul Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby St. Paul), which scores notably higher. Another option is Valley Institute Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 16.6 miles away, in nearby Bristol), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Coeburn Primary (rated 7.9/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Coeburn), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Castlewood, see our Castlewood schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Castlewood High Castlewood | 0.0 mi | 6.5 |
| THE LEARNING CENTER Castlewood | 1.5 mi | 4.6 |
| St. Paul Elementary St. Paul | 2.7 mi | 8.8 |
| Copper Creek Elementary Castlewood | 3.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Dungannon Elementary School Dungannon | 9.8 mi | 2.5 |
| Nickelsville Elementary Nickelsville | 10.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Lebanon High Lebanon | 10.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Eastside High Coeburn | 10.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Coeburn Primary Coeburn | 10.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Coeburn Middle Coeburn | 11.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Twin Springs High Nickelsville | 11.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Lebanon Elementary Lebanon | 11.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Lebanon Middle Lebanon | 11.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Lebanon Primary Lebanon | 12.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Valley Institute Elementary Bristol | 16.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Hilton Elementary Hiltons | 17.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Wallace Middle Bristol | 17.8 mi | 7.8 |
| MORRISON SCHOOL Bristol | 18.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Greendale Elementary Abingdon | 16.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Ridgeview High Clintwood | 18.9 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24224 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$47,967
Median Home Value
$112,800
Median Rent
$726/mo
Population
5,330
College Educated
13.7%
Homeownership
75.2%
Avg Commute
29.2 min
Poverty Rate
24.3%
Median Age
43.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Castlewood Elementary has a median household income of $47,967. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $112,800, with a median rent of $726/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lincoln Terrace Elementary Roanoke, VA | 3.7 |
| Boones Mill Elementary Boones Mill, VA | 3.8 |
| Lacey Spring Elementary Harrisonburg, VA | 3.8 |
| South River Elementary Grottoes, VA | 3.8 |
| Varina Elementary Richmond, VA | 3.8 |
| Henry Elementary Henry, VA | 3.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Castlewood Elementary
What grades does Castlewood Elementary serve?
Castlewood Elementary serves students in grades 2nd through 7th.
How many students attend Castlewood Elementary?
Castlewood Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 229 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Castlewood Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Castlewood Elementary is 9.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Castlewood Elementary rank in VA?
Castlewood Elementary is ranked #1698 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Castlewood Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Castlewood Elementary has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Castlewood Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Castlewood Elementary has 60.8% math proficiency and 66.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Castlewood Elementary a charter school?
No, Castlewood Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Castlewood Elementary a Title I school?
No, Castlewood Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Castlewood Elementary?
92.1% of students at Castlewood 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (850/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 2nd – 7th
- Enrollment
- 229
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 92.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Russell County
- Phone
- (276) 762-2315
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Russell County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,454
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,376
- District Rank
- #10 of 11
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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