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Average

#1151 of 1,850 schools in VA

Fries Elementary

Elementary School · Grayson County Public Schools

PO Box 446, Fries, VA 24330

Enrollment

234

Student-Teacher

9.4:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Pre-K – 7th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia elementary schools

#621 of 1,147

In district

#5 of 6

Grayson County Public Schools

School environment

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Fries Elementary

Fries Elementary serves 234 students from pre-kindergarten through seventh grade in the small rural community of Fries, Virginia. This regular public school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 9.4 to 1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and individualized instruction. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, receiving a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #129 out of 1,856 schools statewide, placing it in the 93rd percentile among Virginia schools.

This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to student achievement despite serving a community where resources may be limited. Fries Elementary operates within a close-knit rural community where the median household income is $39,060 and about 25% of residents live below the poverty line. The school serves families in an area where 12% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median home value is $116,100.

The extended grade range through seventh grade is somewhat unique for an elementary school, allowing students to remain in the same supportive environment longer before transitioning to high school. Fries Elementary stands as an educational anchor in this rural Virginia community, providing quality instruction in the scenic Grayson County countryside.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, Fries Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Fries 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.5Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.37 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency79%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71%
Math vs. State Avg+5.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.7 pts
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected+6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,452

Fries Elementary — Students at Fries Elementary score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

91.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 77.5%
School
State
70.0%
ELA Proficiency 73.1%
School
State
72.4%

Based on 16 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
78.5%
ELA
71%

* 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: 4.5/10.

How Fries Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
38th percentile in VA
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
4.5/10
Below average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

PO Box 446, Fries, VA 24330

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fries Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fairview Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Galax), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sheffey Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Wytheville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Speedwell Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Wytheville), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Fries, see our Fries schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Galax Elementary Galax 4.7 mi 4.3
Galax Middle Galax 5.0 mi 6.2
Galax High Galax 5.0 mi 8.0
Gladeville Elementary Galax 5.4 mi 5.3
Fairview Elementary Galax 9.7 mi 8.2
Laurel Elementary Austinville 8.8 mi 4.7
Oakland Elementary Galax 9.0 mi 6.0
Sheffey Elementary Wytheville 12.0 mi 6.3
Jackson Memorial Elementary Austinville 11.9 mi 5.6
Independence Elementary Independence 11.0 mi 4.2
Independence Middle Independence 11.5 mi 6.9
Grayson County High Independence 11.6 mi 6.8
Glade Creek Elementary Ennice 14.8 mi 4.7
Fort Chiswell Middle Max Meadows 15.0 mi 6.5
Fort Chiswell High Max Meadows 15.0 mi 8.3
Speedwell Elementary Wytheville 13.2 mi 6.1
Carroll County Middle Hillsville 13.5 mi 7.3
Alleghany High Sparta 16.1 mi 7.8
Scott Memorial Middle Wytheville 16.8 mi 7.0
MINNICK SCHOOL - WYTHEVILLE CAMPUS Wytheville 16.6 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24330 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,517

Median Home Value

$116,800

Median Rent

$648/mo

Population

2,870

College Educated

11.6%

Homeownership

87.1%

Avg Commute

28.7 min

Poverty Rate

18.3%

Median Age

49.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Fries Elementary has a median household income of $41,517. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $116,800, with a median rent of $648/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.3%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Dryden Elementary Dryden, 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 RITA SCHOOL Alexandria, VA 5.9
Check Elementary Check, VA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fries Elementary

What grades does Fries Elementary serve?

Fries Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 7th.

How many students attend Fries Elementary?

Fries Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 234 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fries Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Fries Elementary is 9.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fries Elementary rank in VA?

Fries Elementary is ranked #1151 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Fries Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Fries 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 Fries Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fries Elementary has 77.5% math proficiency and 73.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Fries Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Fries Elementary a Title I school?

No, Fries Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

91.9% of students at Fries 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

County Safety
Elevated (744/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 7th
Enrollment
234
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
91.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Grayson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Grayson County Public Schools
District Enrollment
1,576
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,370
District Rank
#5 of 6

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 methodology

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