Excellent
#153 of 1,851 schools in VA
Top 8% in state
Dryden Elementary
Elementary School · Lee County Public Schools
176 School House Ridge Road, Dryden, VA 24243
Enrollment
255
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
255
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia schools
#153 of 1,851
In district
#2 of 10
Lee County Public Schools
School environment
9.6 / 10
Excellent
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Dryden Elementary
Elementary School in Dryden · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Elk Knob Elementary
4.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Pennington Middle
4.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Dryden Elementary
Dryden Elementary is a public elementary school in Dryden, VA, part of Lee County Public Schools. Dryden Elementary serves approximately 255 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Dryden Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #153 of 1,851 schools in VA.
Structured state assessment records for Dryden Elementary show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.6 · Excellent
- District avg 7.2
- VA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Dryden Elementary 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Dryden Elementary — Students at Dryden Elementary score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 31 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 9.4/10.
How Dryden Elementary Compares
See how Dryden Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
176 School House Ridge Road, Dryden, VA 24243
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dryden Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Union Primary (rated 9.1/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Big Stone Gap), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Duffield-Pattonsville Primary (rated 8.2/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Duffield), with a comparable rating. Additionally, St. Charles Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby St. Charles), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Dryden, see our Dryden schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Elk Knob Elementary Pennington Gap | 4.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Pennington Middle Pennington Gap | 4.3 mi | 7.6 |
| POWELL VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dryden | 5.2 mi | — |
| St. Charles Elementary St. Charles | 6.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Duffield-Pattonsville Primary Duffield | 9.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Lee High Jonesville | 8.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Cumberland Elementary School Cumberland | 13.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Jonesville Middle Jonesville | 12.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Union High Big Stone Gap | 13.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Union Primary Big Stone Gap | 13.4 mi | 9.1 |
| Union Middle Big Stone Gap | 13.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Black Mountain Elementary School Evarts | 13.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Rye Cove Intermediate Clinchport | 14.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Rye Cove High Duffield | 14.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Evarts Elementary School Evarts | 15.3 mi | 5.5 |
| HARLAN COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Totz | 16.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Cawood Elementary School Cawood | 16.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Arlie Boggs Elementary School Eolia | 20.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Volunteer High School Church Hill | 20.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Flatwoods Elementary Jonesville | 18.5 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24243 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,435
Median Home Value
$140,100
Population
1,139
College Educated
16.5%
Homeownership
91.5%
Poverty Rate
12.9%
Median Age
54
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Capron Elementary Capron, VA | 8.6 |
| Otter River Elementary Goode, VA | 8.6 |
| AL FATIH ACADEMY Reston, VA | 8.7 |
| Mathews Elementary Mathews, VA | 8.5 |
| Patrick Springs Primary Patrick Springs, VA | 8.7 |
| Twin Valley Elementary/Middle Oakwood, VA | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dryden Elementary
What grades does Dryden Elementary serve?
Dryden Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Dryden Elementary?
Dryden Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 255 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dryden Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Dryden Elementary is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dryden Elementary rank in VA?
Dryden Elementary ranks #153 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is Dryden Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Dryden Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 Dryden Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Dryden Elementary has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Dryden Elementary a charter school?
No, Dryden Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dryden Elementary a Title I school?
No, Dryden Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dryden Elementary?
83.9% of students at Dryden Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 255
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 83.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Lee County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 5.5%
- Phone
- (276) 546-4443
Resources & Links
District
Lee County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,971
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,131
- District Rank
- #2 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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