Below Average
#1591 of 1,850 schools in VA
Falling Branch Elementary
Elementary School · Montgomery County Public Schools
735 Falling Branch Rd, Christiansburg, VA 24073
Enrollment
569
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
569
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Christiansburg
#5 of 5
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#907 of 1,147
In district
#18 of 19
Montgomery County Public Schools
School environment
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Falling Branch Elementary
Falling Branch Elementary in Christiansburg, Virginia, is a regular public school that serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 569 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1, the school provides a relatively small class size that supports individual attention for each child. The dedicated teaching staff includes 44 full-time equivalent teachers committed to nurturing young minds.
Academically, Falling Branch Elementary aims to foster a love of learning in its students. While the MySchoolScout Rating is currently at 4.2 out of 10 and the state ranking places it around the 27th percentile among Virginia schools, the school shows encouraging proficiency rates in ELA and reading (68%) and math (69%). These scores indicate that there is room for growth but also highlight areas where students are excelling.
Falling Branch Elementary is situated in a small city setting, offering easy access to local amenities while maintaining a close-knit community atmosphere. The school is well-integrated into the neighborhood, providing a supportive environment for its diverse student population.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Falling Branch Elementary — Students at Falling Branch Elementary score 66% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
87.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 12 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: 2.9/10.
How Falling Branch Elementary Compares
See how Falling Branch Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 84% (2019) to 68% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 81% (2019) to 65% (2025).
Location
735 Falling Branch Rd, Christiansburg, VA 24073
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Falling Branch Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Margaret Beeks Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Blacksburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is Harding Avenue Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Blacksburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kipps Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Blacksburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Christiansburg, see our Christiansburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Christiansburg Primary Christiansburg | 2.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Christiansburg Elementary Christiansburg | 2.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Christiansburg High Christiansburg | 2.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Christiansburg Middle Christiansburg | 2.9 mi | 5.9 |
| ST JOHN NEUMANN ACADEMY Blacksburg | 5.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Margaret Beeks Elementary Blacksburg | 6.4 mi | 8.8 |
| Auburn Middle Riner | 5.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Auburn High Riner | 6.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Auburn Elementary Riner | 6.0 mi | 7.1 |
| DAYSPRING CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Blacksburg | 7.5 mi | 5.8 |
| TALL OAKS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Blacksburg | 7.3 mi | — |
| SPRINGHOUSE COMMUNITY SCHOOL Pilot | 7.6 mi | 5.8 |
| SPRINGHOUSE COMMUNITY SCHOOL Pilot | 7.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Harding Avenue Elementary Blacksburg | 7.8 mi | 8.8 |
| MOUNTAIN VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Blacksburg | 8.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Blacksburg High Blacksburg | 7.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Kipps Elementary Blacksburg | 7.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Gilbert Linkous Elementary Blacksburg | 8.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Blacksburg Middle Blacksburg | 7.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Shawsville Middle Shawsville | 7.6 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24073 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,103
Median Home Value
$247,200
Median Rent
$1,150/mo
Population
30,125
College Educated
41.6%
Homeownership
66.2%
Avg Commute
18.6 min
Poverty Rate
11.7%
Median Age
40.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Falling Branch Elementary has a median household income of $75,103. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $247,200, with a median rent of $1,150/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Bluestone Elementary Harrisonburg, VA | 4.3 |
| Booker T. Washington Elementary Suffolk, VA | 4.3 |
| Charles Barrett Elementary Alexandria, VA | 4.3 |
| Dogwood Elementary Reston, VA | 4.3 |
| Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary Arlington, VA | 4.3 |
| Evendale Elementary Winchester, VA | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Falling Branch Elementary
What grades does Falling Branch Elementary serve?
Falling Branch Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Falling Branch Elementary?
Falling Branch Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 569 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Falling Branch Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Falling Branch Elementary is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Falling Branch Elementary rank in VA?
Falling Branch Elementary is ranked #1591 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Falling Branch Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Falling Branch Elementary has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Falling Branch Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Falling Branch Elementary has 68.8% math proficiency and 68.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Falling Branch Elementary a charter school?
No, Falling Branch Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Falling Branch Elementary a Title I school?
No, Falling Branch Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Falling Branch Elementary?
87.7% of students at Falling Branch 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
- High (2,830/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Christiansburg). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 569
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 87.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Montgomery County
- Phone
- (540) 381-6145
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Montgomery County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 9,534
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,114
- District Rank
- #18 of 19
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.