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Very Good

#504 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 27% in state

Council High

High School · Buchanan County Public Schools

7802 Helen Henderson Hwy, Honaker, VA 24260

Enrollment

111

Student-Teacher

11.1:1

Score

7.5

Grades

8th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#504 of 1,851

In Honaker

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#2 of 8

Buchanan County Public Schools

Academic growth

8.3 / 10

Excellent

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Council High

7.5/10

High School in Honaker · grades 8th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Council Elementary/middle

6.4/10

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

Honaker High

8.1/10

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

About Council High

Council High is a public high school in Honaker, VA, part of Buchanan County Public Schools. Council High serves approximately 111 students, and covers grades 8th-12th, and has a 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Council High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #504 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Council High show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts above district
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.8
  • VA avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

At 111 students, Council High 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.

Council High 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.

41% of students at Council High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.34 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency71% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-10.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.7 pts
Overall Proficiency68% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)63% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
College Readiness9.6Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate80%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,191
Chronic Absenteeism40.5%

Council High — Students at Council High score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 73.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
69.6% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 75.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.7% (2025 SOL)

Based on 29 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
95%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
74.5%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
74.5%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
74.5%
2014
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
92%
ELA
84.5%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
74.5%
2017
ELA
72%
2018
Math
87%
ELA
64.5%
2019
Math
87%
ELA
64.5%
2020*
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2021*
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2025
Math
59%
ELA
71.5%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How Council High Compares

See how Council High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
73th percentile in VA
Academic
6.2/10
Average
Growth
8.3/10
Excellent
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
40.5%

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

7802 Helen Henderson Hwy, Honaker, VA 24260

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Council High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Honaker High (rated 8.1/10, 7.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lebanon High (rated 7.4/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Lebanon), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Grundy High (rated 6.4/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Grundy), a more accessible option. For more schools in Honaker, see our Honaker schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Council Elementary/Middle Honaker 0.2 mi 6.4
Honaker High Honaker 7.1 mi 8.1
Honaker Elementary Honaker 8.5 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 9.2 mi 6.9
Lebanon Primary Lebanon 12.3 mi 6.8
Lebanon Elementary Lebanon 12.6 mi 6.0
Lebanon Middle Lebanon 12.6 mi 5.6
Lebanon High Lebanon 13.5 mi 7.4
MOUNTAIN MISSION SCHOOL Grundy 13.9 mi 8.1
Grundy High Grundy 13.9 mi 6.4
Twin Valley High Pilgrim Knob 14.3 mi 5.9
Belfast Elementary Rosedale 13.7 mi 8.4
Riverview Elementary/Middle Grundy 16.1 mi 6.5
THE LEARNING CENTER Castlewood 17.7 mi 4.6
St. Paul Elementary St. Paul 17.5 mi 9.7
MAIN STREET SCHOOL Cedar Bluff 16.6 mi 6.9
Copper Creek Elementary Castlewood 19.3 mi 5.9
Richlands Elementary Richlands 16.5 mi 8.2

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
CHATHAM HALL Chatham, VA 7.3
THE NEW SCHOOL OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA Fairfax, VA 7.3
Highland High Monterey, VA 7.8
STUART HALL SCHOOL Staunton, VA 7.9
York River Academy Yorktown, VA 7.9
FISHBURNE MILITARY SCHOOL Waynesboro, VA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Council High

What grades does Council High serve?

Council High serves students in grades 8th through 12th.

How many students attend Council High?

Council High has an enrollment of approximately 111 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Council High?

The student-teacher ratio at Council High is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Council High rank in VA?

Council High ranks #504 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Council High's MySchoolScout rating?

Council High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Council High has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Council High a charter school?

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

Is Council High a Title I school?

No, Council High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Council High?

99.1% of students at Council High 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
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
111
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Buchanan County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
40.5%
4-Year Graduation
80%+

District

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

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