Excellent
#59 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 3% in state
Harding Avenue Elementary
Elementary School · Montgomery County Public Schools
429 Harding Avenue, Blacksburg, VA 24060
Enrollment
282
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
282
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Blacksburg
#1 of 7
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#27 of 1,147
In district
#1 of 19
Montgomery County Public Schools
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Harding Avenue Elementary
Harding Avenue Elementary is a public elementary school in Blacksburg, VA, part of the Montgomery County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 282 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 96.9th percentile among VA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 89% proficiency in math, 15 points above the state average and 88% in reading/language arts, 16 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $63,496, where 63% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a small city setting.
Score Breakdown
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Harding Avenue Elementary — Students at Harding Avenue Elementary score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 86%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
21.6%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.5/10.
How Harding Avenue Elementary Compares
See how Harding Avenue Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 92% (2019) to 90% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 77% (2019) to 91% (2025).
Location
429 Harding Avenue, Blacksburg, VA 24060
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harding Avenue Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Margaret Beeks Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Kipps Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Gilbert Linkous Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Blacksburg, see our Blacksburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| DAYSPRING CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Blacksburg | 0.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Gilbert Linkous Elementary Blacksburg | 0.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Margaret Beeks Elementary Blacksburg | 1.5 mi | 8.8 |
| BLACKSBURG NEW SCHOOL Blacksburg | 2.3 mi | 6.2 |
| VALLEY CLASSICAL SCHOOL Blacksburg | 2.0 mi | 4.7 |
| ST JOHN NEUMANN ACADEMY Blacksburg | 2.6 mi | 6.4 |
| TALL OAKS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Blacksburg | 2.4 mi | — |
| MOUNTAIN VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Blacksburg | 2.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Kipps Elementary Blacksburg | 2.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Blacksburg High Blacksburg | 3.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Blacksburg Middle Blacksburg | 3.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Prices Fork Elementary Blacksburg | 4.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Christiansburg High Christiansburg | 6.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Christiansburg Elementary Christiansburg | 6.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Christiansburg Primary Christiansburg | 7.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Christiansburg Middle Christiansburg | 7.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Falling Branch Elementary Christiansburg | 7.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Belview Elementary Radford | 7.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Riverlawn Elementary Fairlawn | 10.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Shawsville Middle Shawsville | 9.9 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24060 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,496
Median Home Value
$412,300
Median Rent
$1,266/mo
Population
48,197
College Educated
63.4%
Homeownership
42.2%
Avg Commute
16 min
Poverty Rate
33.7%
Median Age
27.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Harding Avenue Elementary has a median household income of $63,496. It is a well-educated community where 63% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $412,300, with a median rent of $1,266/month. The area has a poverty rate of 33.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| Harrington Waddell Elementary Lexington, VA | 8.8 |
| Margaret Beeks Elementary Blacksburg, VA | 8.8 |
| Mary W. Jackson Elementary Hampton, VA | 8.8 |
| Scottsburg Elementary Scottsburg, VA | 8.8 |
| Vienna Elementary Vienna, VA | 8.8 |
| Crewe Primary Crewe, VA | 8.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harding Avenue Elementary
What grades does Harding Avenue Elementary serve?
Harding Avenue Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Harding Avenue Elementary?
Harding Avenue Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 282 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harding Avenue Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Harding Avenue Elementary is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harding Avenue Elementary rank in VA?
Harding Avenue Elementary is ranked #59 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Harding Avenue Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Harding Avenue Elementary has a composite rating of 8.8 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 Harding Avenue Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harding Avenue Elementary has 88.7% math proficiency and 88.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Harding Avenue Elementary a charter school?
No, Harding Avenue Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harding Avenue Elementary a Title I school?
No, Harding Avenue Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harding Avenue Elementary?
21.6% of students at Harding Avenue 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
- Walk Score
- 74 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 44 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 87 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (792/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Blacksburg). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 282
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 21.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Montgomery County
- Phone
- (540) 951-5732
- 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
- #1 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
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