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Average

#992 of 1,850 schools in VA

Gretna High

High School · Pittsylvania County Public Schools

100 Gretna Hawks Circle, Gretna, VA 24557

Enrollment

539

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

6.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Gretna

#4 of 4

public schools

Virginia high schools

#217 of 323

In district

#14 of 18

Pittsylvania County Public Schools

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Gretna High

Gretna High serves 539 students in grades 9-12 in rural Pittsylvania County, Virginia. With 38 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a comfortable 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an impressive 8.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #190 out of 1,856 Virginia high schools, placing it in the 90th percentile statewide.

Students consistently achieve solid results, with 75% scoring proficient or above in both English Language Arts and Mathematics across all grade levels. This academic success reflects the dedication of both students and faculty in this close-knit educational community. Gretna High operates within a working-class community where the median household income is $41,688 and median home values average $125,000.

While only 12% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the school's strong academic performance suggests it's effectively preparing students for post-secondary opportunities and helping them achieve beyond local educational trends. Located at 100 Gretna Hawks Circle, Gretna High sits in Virginia's rural heartland, serving a ZIP code population of 7,667 residents who value the small-town atmosphere and tight-knit community connections that define this Pittsylvania County area.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Gretna High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.97 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.7Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency90%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82%
Math vs. State Avg+14.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.3 pts
Overall Proficiency86%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected+15.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
College Readiness2.4Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,616

Gretna High — Students at Gretna High score 86% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

85.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 74.3%
School
State
75.4%
ELA Proficiency 75.3%
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
76%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
90%
ELA
82%

* 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 Gretna High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
46th percentile in VA
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
4.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
86%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

Location

100 Gretna Hawks Circle, Gretna, VA 24557

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gretna High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HARGRAVE MILITARY ACADEMY (rated 8.5/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Chatham), which scores notably higher. Another option is CHATHAM HALL (rated 7.3/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Chatham), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Tunstall High (rated 6.7/10, 20.9 miles away, in nearby Dry Fork), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Gretna, see our Gretna schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Gretna Middle Gretna 0.2 mi 8.7
Gretna Elementary Gretna 0.3 mi 6.6
Chatham Elementary Chatham 7.4 mi 5.8
HARGRAVE MILITARY ACADEMY Chatham 8.1 mi 8.5
CHATHAM HALL Chatham 8.3 mi 7.3
Chatham High Chatham 11.1 mi 6.6
John L. Hurt Elementary Hurt 11.0 mi 7.0
Altavista High Altavista 12.1 mi 6.5
Chatham Middle Chatham 12.7 mi 8.7
Mount Airy Elementary Gretna 10.5 mi 9.3
Altavista Elementary Altavista 13.7 mi 4.1
Huddleston Elementary Huddleston 16.1 mi 5.7
Union Hall Elementary Chatham 15.5 mi 9.2
Southside Elementary Blairs 17.8 mi 8.4
Twin Springs Elementary Danville 18.1 mi 7.1
Dan River High Ringgold 20.0 mi 6.0
Kentuck Elementary Ringgold 20.3 mi 6.0
Dan River Middle Ringgold 20.4 mi 8.3
THE HUGHES CENTER Danville 20.8 mi
Tunstall High Dry Fork 20.9 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24557 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$44,948

Median Home Value

$132,300

Median Rent

$792/mo

Population

7,832

College Educated

12.4%

Homeownership

70.4%

Avg Commute

30.2 min

Poverty Rate

21%

Median Age

50.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gretna High has a median household income of $44,948. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $132,300, with a median rent of $792/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Auburn High Riner, VA 6.3
CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Virginia Beach, VA 6.2
Chilhowie High Chilhowie, VA 6.4
John S. Battle High Bristol, VA 6.4
TRINITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Richmond, VA 6.4
Altavista High Altavista, VA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gretna High

What grades does Gretna High serve?

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

How many students attend Gretna High?

Gretna High has an enrollment of approximately 539 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gretna High?

The student-teacher ratio at Gretna High is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gretna High rank in VA?

Gretna High is ranked #992 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Gretna High's MySchoolScout rating?

Gretna High has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Gretna High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gretna High has 74.3% math proficiency and 75.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gretna High a charter school?

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

Is Gretna High a Title I school?

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

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

85.5% of students at Gretna 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

County Safety
Average (667/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
539
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
85.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Pittsylvania County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pittsylvania County Public Schools
District Enrollment
7,860
Schools in District
21
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,072
District Rank
#14 of 18

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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