Average
#1160 of 1,850 schools in VA
Dryden Elementary
Elementary School · Lee County Public Schools
176 School House Ridge Road, Dryden, VA 24243
Enrollment
255
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
255
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia elementary schools
#625 of 1,147
In district
#7 of 10
Lee County Public Schools
School environment
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Dryden Elementary
Dryden Elementary serves 255 students in prekindergarten through fourth grade in the rural community of Dryden, Virginia. This Lee County school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.6 to 1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in smaller classroom settings. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, ranking #149 out of 1,856 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 92nd percentile among Virginia schools.
This strong showing reflects the dedication of both educators and families in supporting student success. MySchoolScout rates Dryden Elementary 7.3 out of 10, indicating solid educational quality. Located at 176 School House Ridge Road, the school serves a close-knit community where families have deep local roots.
The surrounding area has a median household income of $51,071 and median home values around $131,700. While only 12% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees, the community demonstrates strong commitment to education through the school's impressive state ranking. Dryden Elementary operates in Virginia's scenic Lee County, where the rural mountain setting provides a peaceful environment for learning.
The school's small size and rural location foster a family-like atmosphere where students, teachers, and families know each other well, creating strong relationships that support academic growth and personal development.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Dryden Elementary 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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Dryden Elementary — Students at Dryden Elementary score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).
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 10 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: 5.0/10.
How Dryden Elementary Compares
See how Dryden Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 66% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 77% (2025).
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. St. Charles Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby St. Charles), which scores notably higher. Another option is Union Primary (rated 7.2/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Big Stone Gap), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Evarts Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Evarts), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 4.7 |
| Pennington Middle Pennington Gap | 4.3 mi | 6.8 |
| POWELL VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dryden | 5.2 mi | — |
| St. Charles Elementary St. Charles | 6.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Duffield-Pattonsville Primary Duffield | 9.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Lee High Jonesville | 8.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Cumberland Elementary School Cumberland | 13.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Jonesville Middle Jonesville | 12.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Union High Big Stone Gap | 13.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Union Primary Big Stone Gap | 13.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Union Middle Big Stone Gap | 13.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Black Mountain Elementary School Evarts | 13.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Rye Cove Intermediate Clinchport | 14.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Rye Cove High Duffield | 14.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Evarts Elementary School Evarts | 15.3 mi | 6.8 |
| HARLAN COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Totz | 16.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Cawood Elementary School Cawood | 16.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Arlie Boggs Elementary School Eolia | 20.6 mi | 3.7 |
| Volunteer High School Church Hill | 20.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Flatwoods Elementary Jonesville | 18.5 mi | 6.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dryden Elementary has a median household income of $54,435. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $140,100. The area has a poverty rate of 12.9%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cedar Bluff Elementary Cedar Bluff, VA | 5.9 |
| Fries Elementary Fries, VA | 5.9 |
| Max Meadows Elementary Max Meadows, VA | 5.9 |
| ST ANDREW THE APOSTLE SCHOOL Clifton, VA | 5.9 |
| ST ANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Arlington, VA | 5.9 |
| ST MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Vienna, VA | 5.9 |
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 is ranked #1160 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Dryden Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Dryden Elementary has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Dryden Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dryden Elementary has 64.6% math proficiency and 75.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,107/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (276) 546-4443
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lee County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,971
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,131
- District Rank
- #7 of 10
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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