Below Average
#1513 of 1,850 schools in VA
Elk Knob Elementary
Elementary School · Lee County Public Schools
148 Hornet Loop, Pennington Gap, VA 24277
Enrollment
308
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
308
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pennington Gap
#2 of 2
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#848 of 1,147
In district
#9 of 10
Lee County Public Schools
About Elk Knob Elementary
Elk Knob Elementary is a regular public school located in the rural community of Pennington Gap, Virginia. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, the school has an enrollment of 308 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14:1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Elk Knob Elementary shows that 65% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, while 69% reach proficiency or higher in math.
These scores indicate areas for improvement but also highlight the school’s commitment to student development. Elk Knob Elementary is situated in a rural setting where the community values education and provides a supportive environment for students. The school focuses on fostering a strong foundation in early grades, ensuring that each child receives individualized attention from dedicated teachers.
With its warm and nurturing atmosphere, Elk Knob Elementary plays an important role in the local educational landscape of Lee County.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Elk Knob 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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Elk Knob Elementary — Students at Elk Knob Elementary score 68% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.7%
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: 3.7/10.
How Elk Knob Elementary Compares
See how Elk Knob Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 70% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 66% (2025).
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. St. Charles Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby St. Charles), which scores notably higher. Another option is Union Primary (rated 7.2/10, 17.7 miles away, in nearby Big Stone Gap), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Surgoinsville Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 19.8 miles away, in nearby Surgoinsville), 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 | 6.8 |
| Dryden Elementary Dryden | 4.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Lee High Jonesville | 5.3 mi | 5.8 |
| St. Charles Elementary St. Charles | 6.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Jonesville Middle Jonesville | 7.9 mi | 6.1 |
| POWELL VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dryden | 9.2 mi | — |
| Duffield-Pattonsville Primary Duffield | 10.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Black Mountain Elementary School Evarts | 13.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Cumberland Elementary School Cumberland | 16.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Cawood Elementary School Cawood | 13.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Evarts Elementary School Evarts | 14.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Flatwoods Elementary Jonesville | 14.5 mi | 6.2 |
| HARLAN COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Totz | 16.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Hancock High School Sneedville | 17.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Clinch School Sneedville | 18.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Surgoinsville Middle School Surgoinsville | 19.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Surgoinsville Elementary Surgoinsville | 19.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Union High Big Stone Gap | 17.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Union Primary Big Stone Gap | 17.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Joseph Rogers Primary School Rogersville | 20.6 mi | 6.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Elk Knob Elementary has a median household income of $33,102. It is a community where 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $81,200, with a median rent of $764/month. The area has a poverty rate of 37.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Berkeley Elementary Spotsylvania, VA | 4.7 |
| Laurel Elementary Austinville, VA | 4.7 |
| Lebanon Elementary Lebanon, VA | 4.7 |
| PROVIDENCE ACADEMY Leesburg, VA | 4.7 |
| Roanoke Academy For Mathematics & Science Elementary Roanoke, VA | 4.7 |
| Chamberlayne Elementary Richmond, VA | 4.8 |
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 is ranked #1513 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Elk Knob Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Elk Knob Elementary has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Elk Knob Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Elk Knob Elementary has 68.8% math proficiency and 65.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,276/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pennington Gap). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (276) 546-1837
- 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
- #9 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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