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Very Good

#394 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 21% in state

James River High

High School · Botetourt County Public Schools

9906 Springwood Rd, Buchanan, VA 24066

Enrollment

461

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

7.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#394 of 1,851

In Buchanan

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#8 of 11

Botetourt County Public Schools

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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James River High

7.8/10

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

Buchanan Elementary

7.5/10

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

Eagle Rock Elementary

8.9/10

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

About James River High

James River High is a public high school in Buchanan, VA, part of Botetourt County Public Schools. James River High serves approximately 461 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. James River High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #394 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for James River High show 89% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 92% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.8 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.9
  • VA avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

James River 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.4Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+0.03 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.3Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency90% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency93% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg+14.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.3 pts
Overall Proficiency92% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)81% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+10.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
College Readiness6.4Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%+
AP Participation6.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,903
Chronic Absenteeism6.5%

James River High — Students at James River High score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 81%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 89.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.4% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 91.8% (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
99.5%
ELA
97.5%
2010
Math
94%
ELA
97.5%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
76%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
86%
ELA
92%
2015
Math
94%
ELA
87%
2016
Math
89%
ELA
92%
2017
ELA
92%
2018
Math
90%
ELA
92%
2019
Math
90%
ELA
92%
2020*
Math
97.5%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
97.5%
ELA
87%
2025
Math
90%
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: 9.4/10.

How James River High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
79th percentile in VA
Academic
9.3/10
Excellent
Growth
9.4/10
Excellent
Environment
6.2/10
Average
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.9
Sports
11
5 boys' · 6 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
6.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
6.3% participation·State avg: 2.9 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics11sports offered
5 boys'·6 girls'·15 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

9906 Springwood Rd, Buchanan, VA 24066

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering James River High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lord Botetourt High (rated 8.1/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Daleville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Liberty High (rated 6.3/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Bedford), a more accessible option. For more schools in Buchanan, see our Buchanan schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Buchanan Elementary Buchanan 2.7 mi 7.5
Eagle Rock Elementary Eagle Rock 8.9 mi 8.9
Central Academy Middle Fincastle 8.0 mi 8.9
Breckinridge Elementary Fincastle 8.6 mi 7.9
Troutville Elementary Troutville 9.9 mi 9.0
Montvale Elementary Montvale 11.9 mi 5.9
Colonial Elementary Troutville 14.7 mi 9.1
Greenfield Elementary Troutville 13.8 mi 7.3
Lord Botetourt High Daleville 14.2 mi 8.1
Natural Bridge Elementary Natural Bridge Station 13.4 mi 6.2
Cloverdale Elementary Cloverdale 15.9 mi 8.2
Read Mountain Middle Cloverdale 16.3 mi 7.5
Sharon Elementary Clifton Forge 18.2 mi 8.2
Bonsack Elementary Roanoke 17.2 mi 8.8
ROANOKE ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Roanoke 18.0 mi
MINERAL SPRINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Vinton 18.9 mi 4.9
Stewartsville Elementary Goodview 19.3 mi 7.3
Bedford Primary Bedford 17.8 mi 5.1
COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Clifton Forge 19.5 mi
Liberty High Bedford 17.4 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24066 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,536

Median Home Value

$200,100

Median Rent

$947/mo

Population

5,234

College Educated

19.1%

Homeownership

84.4%

Avg Commute

31.8 min

Poverty Rate

9.4%

Median Age

50.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Greensville County High Emporia, VA 7.8
Riverheads High Staunton, VA 7.8
THE MADEIRA SCHOOL Mclean, VA 7.8
Castlewood High Castlewood, VA 7.7
Martinsville High Martinsville, VA 7.7
Sussex Central High Stony Creek, VA 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about James River High

What grades does James River High serve?

James River High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend James River High?

James River High has an enrollment of approximately 461 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at James River High?

The student-teacher ratio at James River High is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does James River High rank in VA?

James River High ranks #394 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is James River High's MySchoolScout rating?

James River High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 James River High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, James River High has 89% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 92% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is James River High a charter school?

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

Is James River High a Title I school?

No, James River High is not currently a Title I school.

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

33.6% of students at James River 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
461
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
33.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Botetourt County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
6.5%
4-Year Graduation
95%+

District

Botetourt County Public Schools
District Enrollment
4,488
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,903
District Rank
#8 of 11

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