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Average

#919 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 50% in state

Elk Knob Elementary

Elementary School · Lee County Public Schools

148 Hornet Loop, Pennington Gap, VA 24277

Enrollment

308

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#919 of 1,851

In Pennington Gap

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#9 of 10

Lee County Public Schools

School environment

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Elk Knob Elementary

6.4/10

Elementary School in Pennington Gap · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pennington Middle

7.6/10

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

Dryden Elementary

8.6/10

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

About Elk Knob Elementary

Elk Knob Elementary is a public elementary school in Pennington Gap, VA, part of Lee County Public Schools. Elk Knob Elementary serves approximately 308 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. Elk Knob Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #919 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Elk Knob Elementary show 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • District avg 7.2
  • VA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Elk Knob 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 metrics
Student Progress6.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.8 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.7Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency66% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-3.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.7 pts
Overall Proficiency68% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)67% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+0.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,131
Chronic Absenteeism12.3%

Elk Knob Elementary — Students at Elk Knob Elementary score 68% 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

84.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 71.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.0% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 73.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.2% (2025 SOL)

Based on 31 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
87%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2017
ELA
82%
2018
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2019
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2025
Math
70%
ELA
66%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How Elk Knob Elementary Compares

See how Elk Knob Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
50th percentile in VA
Academic
5.7/10
Average
Growth
6.5/10
Average
Environment
7.4/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.3%

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

148 Hornet Loop, Pennington Gap, VA 24277

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Elk Knob Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Union Primary (rated 9.1/10, 17.7 miles away, in nearby Big Stone Gap), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dryden Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Dryden), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Duffield-Pattonsville Primary (rated 8.2/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Duffield), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pennington Gap, see our Pennington Gap schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Pennington Middle Pennington Gap 2.6 mi 7.6
Dryden Elementary Dryden 4.4 mi 8.6
Lee High Jonesville 5.3 mi 6.4
St. Charles Elementary St. Charles 6.2 mi 7.7
Jonesville Middle Jonesville 7.9 mi 7.9
POWELL VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dryden 9.2 mi
Duffield-Pattonsville Primary Duffield 10.6 mi 8.2
Black Mountain Elementary School Evarts 13.1 mi 7.0
Cumberland Elementary School Cumberland 16.7 mi 6.5
Cawood Elementary School Cawood 13.6 mi 7.6
Evarts Elementary School Evarts 14.7 mi 5.5
Flatwoods Elementary Jonesville 14.5 mi 6.8
HARLAN COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Totz 16.9 mi 6.3
Hancock High School Sneedville 17.2 mi 6.6
Clinch School Sneedville 18.8 mi 6.1
Surgoinsville Middle School Surgoinsville 19.7 mi 6.5
Surgoinsville Elementary Surgoinsville 19.8 mi 6.8
Union High Big Stone Gap 17.5 mi 8.0
Union Primary Big Stone Gap 17.7 mi 9.1
Joseph Rogers Primary School Rogersville 20.6 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24277 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$33,102

Median Home Value

$81,200

Median Rent

$764/mo

Population

6,379

College Educated

8.3%

Homeownership

61.6%

Poverty Rate

37.5%

Median Age

41.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Armstrong Elementary Reston, VA 6.4
Beech Tree Elementary Falls Church, VA 6.4
Clearbrook Elementary Roanoke, VA 6.4
Council Elementary/Middle Honaker, VA 6.4
Ferrum Elementary Ferrum, VA 6.4
Gordon-Barbour Elementary Gordonsville, VA 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Elk Knob Elementary

What grades does Elk Knob Elementary serve?

Elk Knob Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Elk Knob Elementary?

Elk Knob Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 308 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Elk Knob Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Elk Knob Elementary is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Elk Knob Elementary rank in VA?

Elk Knob Elementary ranks #919 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Elk Knob Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Elk Knob Elementary 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 Elk Knob Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Elk Knob Elementary has 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Elk Knob Elementary a charter school?

No, Elk Knob Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Elk Knob Elementary a Title I school?

No, Elk Knob Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Elk Knob Elementary?

84.7% of students at Elk Knob 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
308
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Lee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.3%

District

Lee County Public Schools
District Enrollment
2,971
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,131
District Rank
#9 of 10

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