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Excellent

#163 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 9% in state

Holston High

High School · Washington County Public Schools

21308 Monroe Rd, Damascus, VA 24236

Enrollment

250

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

8.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#163 of 1,851

In Damascus

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#4 of 15

Washington County Public Schools

Academic performance

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Holston High

8.6/10

High School in Damascus · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Damascus Middle

8.4/10

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Rhea Valley Elementary

7.5/10

2.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Holston High

Holston High is a public high school in Damascus, VA, part of Washington County Public Schools. Holston High serves approximately 250 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Holston High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #163 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Holston High show 85% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 89% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts above district
  • This school 8.6 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.6
  • VA avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

Holston High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

33% of students at Holston High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.3Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+0.02 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.8Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency95% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency92% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg+19.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+16.3 pts
Overall Proficiency94% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)70% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+23.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
College Readiness9.7Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,125
Chronic Absenteeism33.2%

Holston High — Students at Holston High score 94% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 85.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.4% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 89.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.7% (2025 SOL)

Based on 27 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
92%
ELA
97.5%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
97.5%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
92%
2015
Math
87%
ELA
97.5%
2016
Math
77%
ELA
92%
2017
ELA
87%
2018
Math
97.5%
ELA
82%
2019
Math
97.5%
ELA
82%
2020*
Math
84.5%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
84.5%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
95%
ELA
92%

* 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.

Overall Score
8.6/10
91th percentile in VA
Academic
9.8/10
Excellent
Growth
9.3/10
Excellent
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
Sports
14
7 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.2%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics14sports offered
7 boys'·7 girls'·20 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

21308 Monroe Rd, Damascus, VA 24236

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Holston High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Northwood High (rated 8.6/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Saltville), with a very similar rating. Another option is Patrick Henry High (rated 8.3/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Glade Spring), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Chilhowie High (rated 7.5/10, 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 8.4
Rhea Valley Elementary Meadowview 2.4 mi 7.5
Laurel Elementary Laurel Bloomery 6.5 mi 7.1
Meadowview Elementary Meadowview 7.6 mi 8.5
Patrick Henry High Glade Spring 8.5 mi 8.3
Glade Spring Middle Glade Spring 8.6 mi 7.9
MOUNTAIN YOUTH ACADEMY Mountain City 10.5 mi 6.7
Watauga Elementary Abingdon 9.1 mi 8.5
Abingdon High Abingdon 10.0 mi 6.9
E.B. Stanley Middle Abingdon 10.1 mi 8.9
Johnson Co High School Mountain City 12.1 mi 5.1
Johnson Co Middle School Mountain City 12.1 mi 6.1
Mountain City Elementary Mountain City 12.5 mi 4.4
Chilhowie Middle Chilhowie 12.4 mi 8.3
Chilhowie High Chilhowie 12.7 mi 7.5
Chilhowie Elementary Chilhowie 13.2 mi 7.8
Northwood High Saltville 15.6 mi 8.6
Abingdon Elementary Abingdon 13.0 mi 8.3
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Northwood High Saltville, VA 8.6
RANDOLPH-MACON ACADEMY Front Royal, VA 8.6
J.I. Burton High Norton, VA 8.4
Community Lab School Charlottesville, VA 9.0
FOXCROFT SCHOOL Middleburg, VA 8.2
Rural Retreat High Rural Retreat, VA 9.0

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 ranks #163 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Holston High's MySchoolScout rating?

Holston High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Holston High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Holston High has 85% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 89% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.2%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

Washington County Public Schools
District Enrollment
6,705
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,125
District Rank
#4 of 15

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