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Average

#898 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 49% in state

Council Elementary/middle

Elementary School · Buchanan County Public Schools

7608 Helen Henderson Hwy, Honaker, VA 24260

Enrollment

194

Student-Teacher

5.2:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Pre-K – 7th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#898 of 1,851

In Honaker

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#7 of 8

Buchanan County Public Schools

Academic growth

7.7 / 10

Very Good

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Council Elementary/middle

6.4/10

Elementary School in Honaker · grades Pre-K – 7th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Council High

7.5/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Honaker High

8.1/10

7.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Council Elementary/middle

Council Elementary/middle is a public elementary school in Honaker, VA, part of Buchanan County Public Schools. Council Elementary/middle serves approximately 194 students, and covers grades Pre-K-7th, and has a 5.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Council Elementary/middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #898 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Council Elementary/middle show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • District avg 7.0
  • VA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 194 students, Council Elementary/middle is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 5.2:1 students to teachers, Council Elementary/middle sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Council Elementary/middle sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.5 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.6Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency64% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-13.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.7 pts
Overall Proficiency62% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)66% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-3.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,191
Chronic Absenteeism34.5%

Council Elementary/middle — Students at Council Elementary/middle score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

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 65.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
70.0% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 68.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.4% (2025 SOL)

Based on 37 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
47%
2017
ELA
67%
2018
Math
87%
ELA
72%
2019
Math
87%
ELA
72%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
67%
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: 7.7/10.

How Council Elementary/middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
52th percentile in VA
Academic
4.6/10
Below Average
Growth
7.7/10
Very Good
Environment
5.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
91%
Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 9.7/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby St. Paul), which scores notably higher. Another option is Twin Valley Elementary/Middle (rated 8.5/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Oakwood), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Belfast Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Rosedale), 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 7.5
Honaker High Honaker 7.3 mi 8.1
Honaker Elementary Honaker 8.7 mi 8.0
Twin Valley Elementary/Middle Oakwood 10.2 mi 8.5
KEEN MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Oakwood 10.2 mi 4.8
Swords Creek Elementary Swords Creek 9.4 mi 6.9
Lebanon Primary Lebanon 12.4 mi 6.8
Lebanon Elementary Lebanon 12.7 mi 6.0
Lebanon Middle Lebanon 12.7 mi 5.6
Lebanon High Lebanon 13.5 mi 7.4
MOUNTAIN MISSION SCHOOL Grundy 13.8 mi 8.1
Grundy High Grundy 13.9 mi 6.4
Twin Valley High Pilgrim Knob 14.3 mi 5.9
Riverview Elementary/Middle Grundy 16.0 mi 6.5
Belfast Elementary Rosedale 13.9 mi 8.4
THE LEARNING CENTER Castlewood 17.7 mi 4.6
St. Paul Elementary St. Paul 17.4 mi 9.7
Copper Creek Elementary Castlewood 19.3 mi 5.9
MAIN STREET SCHOOL Cedar Bluff 16.7 mi 6.9
Castlewood Elementary Castlewood 18.8 mi 5.8

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CHESAPEAKE ACADEMY Irvington, VA 6.4
Ferrum Elementary Ferrum, VA 6.4
ST JOHN NEUMANN ACADEMY Blacksburg, VA 6.4
ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Annandale, VA 6.4
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Dale City, VA 6.5
Meadville Elementary Nathalie, VA 6.5

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 ranks #898 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Council Elementary/middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Council Elementary/middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Council Elementary/middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Council Elementary/middle has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.5%

District

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

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