Excellent
#62 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 3% in state
Chilhowie Elementary
Elementary School · Smyth County Public Schools
P O Box 348, Chilhowie, VA 24319
Enrollment
544
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
544
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chilhowie
#1 of 3
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#29 of 1,147
In district
#2 of 13
Smyth County Public Schools
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Chilhowie Elementary
Chilhowie Elementary is a public elementary school in Chilhowie, VA, part of the Smyth County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 544 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 96.7th percentile among VA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 77% proficiency in math, 4 points above the state average and 74% in reading/language arts, 1 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $49,140, where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Chilhowie 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
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Chilhowie Elementary — Students at Chilhowie Elementary score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
102.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 12 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: 9.9/10.
How Chilhowie Elementary Compares
See how Chilhowie Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 71% (2019) to 89% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 73% (2019) to 80% (2025).
Location
P O Box 348, Chilhowie, VA 24319
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Chilhowie Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Saltville Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Saltville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Rich Valley Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Saltville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Sugar Grove Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Sugar Grove), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Chilhowie, see our Chilhowie schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Chilhowie High Chilhowie | 0.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Chilhowie Middle Chilhowie | 0.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Oak Point Elementary Marion | 3.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Rich Valley Elementary Saltville | 8.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Saltville Elementary Saltville | 7.4 mi | 9.4 |
| Northwood High Saltville | 7.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Northwood Middle Saltville | 8.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Glade Spring Middle Glade Spring | 7.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Marion Middle Marion | 8.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Marion Senior High Marion | 8.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Patrick Henry High Glade Spring | 8.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Marion Elementary Marion | 9.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Rhea Valley Elementary Meadowview | 12.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Meadowview Elementary Meadowview | 11.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Holston High Damascus | 13.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Damascus Middle Damascus | 14.3 mi | 6.4 |
| MAIN STREET SCHOOL Cedar Bluff | 15.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Sugar Grove Elementary Sugar Grove | 13.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Atkins Elementary Atkins | 13.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Laurel Elementary Laurel Bloomery | 17.9 mi | 3.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24319 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$49,140
Median Home Value
$145,400
Median Rent
$775/mo
Population
6,963
College Educated
19.7%
Homeownership
69.2%
Avg Commute
24.7 min
Poverty Rate
13.5%
Median Age
45.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Chilhowie Elementary has a median household income of $49,140. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $145,400, with a median rent of $775/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Ashburn Elementary Ashburn, VA | 8.8 |
| Harrington Waddell Elementary Lexington, VA | 8.8 |
| Jamestown Elementary Arlington, VA | 8.8 |
| Mary W. Jackson Elementary Hampton, VA | 8.8 |
| St. Paul Elementary St. Paul, VA | 8.8 |
| Vienna Elementary Vienna, VA | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Chilhowie Elementary
What grades does Chilhowie Elementary serve?
Chilhowie Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Chilhowie Elementary?
Chilhowie Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 544 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Chilhowie Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Chilhowie Elementary is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Chilhowie Elementary rank in VA?
Chilhowie Elementary is ranked #62 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Chilhowie Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Chilhowie Elementary has a composite rating of 8.8 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 Chilhowie Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chilhowie Elementary has 77.3% math proficiency and 73.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Chilhowie Elementary a charter school?
No, Chilhowie Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Chilhowie Elementary a Title I school?
No, Chilhowie Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chilhowie Elementary?
102.2% of students at Chilhowie 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chilhowie). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 544
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 102.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Smyth County
- Phone
- (276) 646-8220
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Smyth County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,892
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,196
- District Rank
- #2 of 13
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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