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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

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 metrics
Student Progress1.9Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65%
Math vs. State Avg-15.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.7 pts
Overall Proficiency62%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected-7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,415

Castlewood Elementary — Students at Castlewood Elementary score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

92.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 60.8%
School
State
70.0%
ELA Proficiency 66.9%
School
State
72.4%

Based on 16 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
90%
ELA
79%
2021*
Math
51%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
57.5%
ELA
65.7%

* 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.

Overall Score
3.7/10
8th percentile in VA
Academic
3.9/10
3.9/10
Growth
1.9/10
Below average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Russell County Public Schools
District Enrollment
3,454
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,376
District Rank
#10 of 11

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 methodology

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