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Average

#687 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 37% 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

6.9

Grades

8th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Honaker

#2 of 4

public schools

Virginia high schools

#146 of 323

In district

#4 of 8

Buchanan County Public Schools

Equity

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Council High

Council High serves students in grades 8 through 12 in the rural community of Honaker, Virginia, with an enrollment of 111 students. This public high school maintains an impressive student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1 with 10 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and close relationships between educators and students. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #41 out of 1,856 schools statewide, placing it in the 98th percentile among Virginia schools.

This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence despite serving a community facing economic challenges. Council High operates in Buchanan County, where the median household income is $38,136 and nearly a quarter of residents live below the poverty line. The school serves families in an area where only 9% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, making the institution's high performance particularly noteworthy as it works to expand educational opportunities for its students.

Located at 7802 Helen Henderson Highway, Council High sits in Virginia's rural landscape, where the median home value is $96,600 and the surrounding ZIP code has a population of about 5,073 residents. The school provides an intimate educational environment within the close-knit Appalachian community it serves.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 111 students, Council High 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.

Located in a rural area, Council High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.3Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency85%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71%
Math vs. State Avg+9.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.7 pts
Overall Proficiency78%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected+10.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,264

Council High — Students at Council High score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

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 74.9%
School
State
69.6%
ELA Proficiency 73.0%
School
State
74.7%

Based on 8 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
87%
ELA
64.5%
2021*
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2025
Math
69%
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: 5.3/10.

How Council High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
63th percentile in VA
Academic
7.4/10
7.4/10
Growth
5.3/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

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 7.7/10, 7.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lebanon High (rated 7.4/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Lebanon), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Twin Valley High (rated 6.0/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Pilgrim Knob), with a comparable rating. 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 4.3
Honaker High Honaker 7.1 mi 7.7
Honaker Elementary Honaker 8.5 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 9.2 mi 3.4
Lebanon Primary Lebanon 12.3 mi 6.6
Lebanon Elementary Lebanon 12.6 mi 4.7
Lebanon Middle Lebanon 12.6 mi 4.3
Lebanon High Lebanon 13.5 mi 7.4
MOUNTAIN MISSION SCHOOL Grundy 13.9 mi 8.1
Grundy High Grundy 13.9 mi 5.6
Twin Valley High Pilgrim Knob 14.3 mi 6.0
Belfast Elementary Rosedale 13.7 mi 7.9
Riverview Elementary/Middle Grundy 16.1 mi 7.4
THE LEARNING CENTER Castlewood 17.7 mi 4.6
St. Paul Elementary St. Paul 17.5 mi 8.8
MAIN STREET SCHOOL Cedar Bluff 16.6 mi 6.9
Copper Creek Elementary Castlewood 19.3 mi 6.5
Richlands Elementary Richlands 16.5 mi 6.5

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 High 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
Highland High Monterey, VA 6.8
CHATHAM HALL Chatham, VA 7.3
THE NEW SCHOOL OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA Fairfax, VA 7.3
MASSANUTTEN MILITARY ACADEMY Woodstock, VA 6.3
York River Academy Yorktown, VA 6.3
Mountain View High Centreville, VA 6.0

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 is ranked #687 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Council High's MySchoolScout rating?

Council High has a composite rating of 6.9 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 High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Council High has 74.9% math proficiency and 73.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

County Safety
Elevated (1,123/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Buchanan County Public Schools
District Enrollment
2,378
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,191
District Rank
#4 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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