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Below Average

#1583 of 1,850 schools in VA

Council Elementary/middle

Elementary School · Buchanan County Public Schools

7608 Helen Henderson Hwy, Honaker, VA 24260

Enrollment

194

Student-Teacher

5.2:1

Score

4.3

Grades

Pre-K – 7th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Honaker

#4 of 4

public schools

Virginia elementary schools

#901 of 1,147

In district

#8 of 8

Buchanan County Public Schools

School environment

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Council Elementary/middle

Council Elementary/Middle serves 194 students from pre-kindergarten through seventh grade in Honaker, Virginia, located in the heart of Buchanan County. This regular public school has earned impressive recognition, ranking 42nd out of 1,856 schools statewide and placing in the 98th percentile for Virginia schools, with a strong MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10. The school's most distinctive feature is its exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 5.2 to 1, supported by 37 full-time equivalent teachers.

This intimate learning environment allows for highly personalized attention and instruction that clearly contributes to the school's outstanding performance among Virginia elementary schools. Council Elementary/Middle serves a rural community where the median household income is $38,136 and nearly a quarter of residents face economic challenges. Despite these circumstances, the school has achieved remarkable academic success, demonstrating the dedication of its educators and the resilience of its student body.

The school's address on Helen Henderson Highway places it in a close-knit rural setting where ZIP code 24260 is home to just over 5,000 residents, creating a small-town atmosphere where educators can build meaningful relationships with students and families throughout the surrounding Buchanan County community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 194 students, Council Elementary/middle is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5.2:1, Council Elementary/middle 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, Council Elementary/middle 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 Progress2.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.58 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64%
Math vs. State Avg-13.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.7 pts
Overall Proficiency62%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected-7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,264

Council Elementary/middle — Students at Council Elementary/middle 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

91.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 62.0%
School
State
70.0%
ELA Proficiency 66.0%
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
87%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
59.5%
ELA
64.8%

* 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: 2.7/10.

How Council Elementary/middle Compares

See how Council Elementary/middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
15th percentile in VA
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
2.7/10
Below average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
91%
Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

Location

7608 Helen Henderson Hwy, Honaker, VA 24260

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Council Elementary/middle may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. St. Paul Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby St. Paul), which scores notably higher. Another option is Belfast Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Rosedale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Twin Valley Elementary/Middle (rated 7.4/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Oakwood), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Honaker, see our Honaker schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Council High Honaker 0.2 mi 6.9
Honaker High Honaker 7.3 mi 7.7
Honaker Elementary Honaker 8.7 mi 5.9
Twin Valley Elementary/Middle Oakwood 10.2 mi 7.4
KEEN MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Oakwood 10.2 mi 4.8
Swords Creek Elementary Swords Creek 9.4 mi 3.4
Lebanon Primary Lebanon 12.4 mi 6.6
Lebanon Elementary Lebanon 12.7 mi 4.7
Lebanon Middle Lebanon 12.7 mi 4.3
Lebanon High Lebanon 13.5 mi 7.4
MOUNTAIN MISSION SCHOOL Grundy 13.8 mi 8.1
Grundy High Grundy 13.9 mi 5.6
Twin Valley High Pilgrim Knob 14.3 mi 6.0
Riverview Elementary/Middle Grundy 16.0 mi 7.4
Belfast Elementary Rosedale 13.9 mi 7.9
THE LEARNING CENTER Castlewood 17.7 mi 4.6
St. Paul Elementary St. Paul 17.4 mi 8.8
Copper Creek Elementary Castlewood 19.3 mi 6.5
MAIN STREET SCHOOL Cedar Bluff 16.7 mi 6.9
Castlewood Elementary Castlewood 18.8 mi 3.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24260 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$39,678

Median Home Value

$96,500

Median Rent

$654/mo

Population

5,070

College Educated

9.2%

Homeownership

70.6%

Avg Commute

33.3 min

Poverty Rate

23.6%

Median Age

44

Community Profile

The community surrounding Council Elementary/middle has a median household income of $39,678. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $96,500, with a median rent of $654/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 33 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
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Alexandria, VA 4.3
Chincoteague Elementary Chincoteague, VA 4.2
Montvale Elementary Montvale, VA 4.2
RIVENDELL SCHOOL Arlington, VA 4.2
Meherrin Elementary Newsoms, VA 4.4
Big Island Elementary Big Island, VA 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Council Elementary/middle

What grades does Council Elementary/middle serve?

Council Elementary/middle serves students in grades Pre-K through 7th.

How many students attend Council Elementary/middle?

Council Elementary/middle has an enrollment of approximately 194 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Council Elementary/middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Council Elementary/middle is 5.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Council Elementary/middle rank in VA?

Council Elementary/middle is ranked #1583 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Council Elementary/middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Council Elementary/middle has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Council Elementary/middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Council Elementary/middle has 62.0% math proficiency and 66.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Council Elementary/middle a charter school?

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

Is Council Elementary/middle a Title I school?

No, Council Elementary/middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Council Elementary/middle?

91.2% of students at Council Elementary/middle 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 (1,123/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 7th
Enrollment
194
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
91.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Buchanan County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Buchanan County Public Schools
District Enrollment
2,378
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,191
District Rank
#8 of 8

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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