Excellent
#211 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 11% in state
Holston High
High School · Washington County Public Schools
21308 Monroe Rd, Damascus, VA 24236
Enrollment
250
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
250
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Damascus
#1 of 2
public schools
Virginia high schools
#51 of 323
In district
#3 of 15
Washington County Public Schools
Academic performance
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Holston High
Holston High is a public high school in Damascus, VA, part of the Washington County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 250 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 88.6th percentile among VA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 92% proficiency in math, 17 points above the state average and 84% in reading/language arts, 8 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.3/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $33,846, where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Holston 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
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Holston High — Students at Holston High score 94% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 9.3/10.
How Holston High Compares
See how Holston High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 97.5% (2019) to 95% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 82% (2019) to 92% (2025).
Location
21308 Monroe Rd, Damascus, VA 24236
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Holston High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Patrick Henry High (rated 7.7/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Glade Spring), with a comparable rating. Another option is Northwood High (rated 7.5/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Saltville), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Chilhowie High (rated 6.4/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Chilhowie), a more accessible option. For more schools in Damascus, see our Damascus schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Damascus Middle Damascus | 1.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Rhea Valley Elementary Meadowview | 2.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Laurel Elementary Laurel Bloomery | 6.5 mi | 3.5 |
| Meadowview Elementary Meadowview | 7.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Patrick Henry High Glade Spring | 8.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Glade Spring Middle Glade Spring | 8.6 mi | 7.0 |
| MOUNTAIN YOUTH ACADEMY Mountain City | 10.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Watauga Elementary Abingdon | 9.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Abingdon High Abingdon | 10.0 mi | 6.3 |
| E.B. Stanley Middle Abingdon | 10.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Johnson Co High School Mountain City | 12.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Johnson Co Middle School Mountain City | 12.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Mountain City Elementary Mountain City | 12.5 mi | 3.4 |
| Chilhowie Middle Chilhowie | 12.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Chilhowie High Chilhowie | 12.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Chilhowie Elementary Chilhowie | 13.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Northwood High Saltville | 15.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Abingdon Elementary Abingdon | 13.0 mi | 6.7 |
| EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Abingdon | 12.9 mi | 3.9 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Abingdon | 13.1 mi | 8.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24236 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$33,846
Median Home Value
$139,300
Median Rent
$728/mo
Population
3,023
College Educated
19.2%
Homeownership
73.5%
Avg Commute
27.9 min
Poverty Rate
17.2%
Median Age
53.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Holston High has a median household income of $33,846. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $139,300, with a median rent of $728/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.2%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| FOXCROFT SCHOOL Middleburg, VA | 8.2 |
| Rural Retreat High Rural Retreat, VA | 8.0 |
| Thomas Walker High Ewing, VA | 8.4 |
| FORK UNION MILITARY ACADEMY Fork Union, VA | 7.9 |
| PENINSULA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Newport News, VA | 7.9 |
| BLUE RIDGE SCHOOL St. George, VA | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Holston High
What grades does Holston High serve?
Holston High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Holston High?
Holston High has an enrollment of approximately 250 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Holston High?
The student-teacher ratio at Holston High is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Holston High rank in VA?
Holston High is ranked #211 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Holston High's MySchoolScout rating?
Holston High has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Holston High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Holston High has 92.3% math proficiency and 83.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Holston High a charter school?
No, Holston High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Holston High a Title I school?
No, Holston High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Holston High?
73.6% of students at Holston 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Damascus). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 250
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 73.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Washington County
- Phone
- (276) 739-4000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Washington County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 6,705
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,125
- District Rank
- #3 of 15
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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