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
Enrollment
194
Student-Teacher
5.2:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 7th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Council Elementary/middle — Students at Council Elementary/middle 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
91.2%
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: 2.7/10.
How Council Elementary/middle Compares
See how Council Elementary/middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 60% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 64% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (276) 859-9329
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Buchanan County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,378
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,191
- District Rank
- #8 of 8
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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