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Excellent

#254 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 14% in state

Galax High

High School · Galax City Public Schools

200 Maroon Tide Dr, Galax, VA 24333

Enrollment

403

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

8.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Galax

#2 of 6

public schools

Virginia high schools

#60 of 323

In district

#1 of 3

Galax City Public Schools

Equity

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Galax High

Galax High serves 403 students in grades 9-12 in this remote Virginia town, delivering exceptional academic results that place it among the state's top performers. With an outstanding MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10, the school ranks 44th out of 1,856 Virginia high schools, putting it in the 98th percentile statewide. The school's academic excellence shines through in standardized test performance, with 84% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and 81% reaching proficiency in Mathematics.

These impressive results reflect the dedication of 28 full-time equivalent teachers who maintain a manageable 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more personalized attention and support. Located on Maroon Tide Drive, Galax High serves a working-class community where the median household income is $50,374 and median home values are $129,800. While only 16% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees and the poverty rate reaches 20.1%, the school's remarkable academic achievements demonstrate how dedicated educators can help students excel regardless of economic circumstances.

The school stands as a beacon of educational excellence in this close-knit mountain community, proving that outstanding learning opportunities can flourish in Virginia's more remote regions.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.8 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.7Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency93%
Reading/ELA Proficiency93%
Math vs. State Avg+17.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.3 pts
Overall Proficiency93%
Expected (poverty-adj.)68%
vs. Expected+25.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile96th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,523

Galax High — Students at Galax High score 93% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 80.7%
School
State
75.4%
ELA Proficiency 84.0%
School
State
75.7%

Based on 6 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
93%
ELA
93%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Galax High Compares

See how Galax High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.0/10
86th percentile in VA
Academic
9.7/10
9.7/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

200 Maroon Tide Dr, Galax, VA 24333

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Galax High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Alleghany High (rated 7.8/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Sparta), with a very similar rating. Another option is Carroll County High (rated 7.0/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Hillsville), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Grayson County High (rated 6.8/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Independence), a more accessible option. For more schools in Galax, see our Galax schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Galax Middle Galax 0.1 mi 6.2
Galax Elementary Galax 0.3 mi 4.3
Gladeville Elementary Galax 4.0 mi 5.3
Fairview Elementary Galax 4.9 mi 8.2
Fries Elementary Fries 5.0 mi 5.9
Oakland Elementary Galax 4.8 mi 6.0
Laurel Elementary Austinville 10.6 mi 4.7
Glade Creek Elementary Ennice 11.1 mi 4.7
Cedar Ridge Elementary Lowgap 12.2 mi 7.0
Independence Elementary Independence 12.0 mi 4.2
Jackson Memorial Elementary Austinville 14.7 mi 5.6
Carroll County Middle Hillsville 12.9 mi 7.3
Independence Middle Independence 12.6 mi 6.9
Grayson County High Independence 12.6 mi 6.8
Carroll County High Hillsville 13.4 mi 7.0
Fancy Gap Elementary Fancy Gap 12.7 mi 5.1
St. Paul Cana 13.4 mi 7.5
Sheffey Elementary Wytheville 16.5 mi 6.3
Alleghany High Sparta 14.7 mi 7.8
Sparta Elementary Sparta 15.0 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24333 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$47,539

Median Home Value

$135,300

Median Rent

$713/mo

Population

17,841

College Educated

16%

Homeownership

73.8%

Avg Commute

21.5 min

Poverty Rate

22.5%

Median Age

46.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Galax High has a median household income of $47,539. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $135,300, with a median rent of $713/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Martinsville High Martinsville, VA 8.0
Page County High Shenandoah, VA 8.0
Rural Retreat High Rural Retreat, VA 8.0
PENINSULA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Newport News, VA 7.9
Holston High Damascus, VA 8.2
Randolph-Henry High Charlotte C H, VA 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Galax High

What grades does Galax High serve?

Galax High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Galax High?

Galax High has an enrollment of approximately 403 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Galax High?

The student-teacher ratio at Galax High is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Galax High rank in VA?

Galax High is ranked #254 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Galax High's MySchoolScout rating?

Galax High has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Galax High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Galax High has 80.7% math proficiency and 84.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Galax High a charter school?

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

Is Galax High a Title I school?

No, Galax High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Galax High?

95.8% of students at Galax High 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
30 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
11 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,860/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Galax). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
403
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
95.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Galax city
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Galax City Public Schools
District Enrollment
1,417
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,113
District Rank
#1 of 3

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 methodology

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