Average
#1225 of 1,850 schools in VA
James River High
High School · Botetourt County Public Schools
9906 Springwood Rd, Buchanan, VA 24066
Enrollment
461
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
461
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Buchanan
#2 of 2
public schools
Virginia high schools
#272 of 323
In district
#11 of 11
Botetourt County Public Schools
Academic performance
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About James River High
James River High serves 461 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Buchanan, Virginia. This regular public school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1 with 30 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive more individualized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranking 351st out of 1,856 high schools statewide, placing it in the 81st percentile among Virginia schools.
Students excel particularly well in core subjects, with 91% achieving proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while an impressive 92% reach proficiency in Mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence and effective instruction. James River High draws students from a stable middle-class community where the median household income is $60,924 and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 10.2%.
The surrounding area features median home values of $184,800, indicating a community invested in residential stability. While 20% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the school serves families across various educational backgrounds. Located on Springwood Road in Botetourt County's rural landscape, James River High offers students the benefits of small-town education while maintaining high academic standards in Virginia's scenic Blue Ridge region.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, James River 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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James River High — Students at James River High score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 83%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.6%
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: 7.1/10.
How James River High Compares
See how James River High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 90% (2019) to 86% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 92% (2019) to 93% (2025).
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 7.1/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Daleville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Liberty High (rated 6.6/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Bedford), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 6.2 |
| Eagle Rock Elementary Eagle Rock | 8.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Central Academy Middle Fincastle | 8.0 mi | 8.9 |
| Breckinridge Elementary Fincastle | 8.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Troutville Elementary Troutville | 9.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Montvale Elementary Montvale | 11.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Colonial Elementary Troutville | 14.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Greenfield Elementary Troutville | 13.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Lord Botetourt High Daleville | 14.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Natural Bridge Elementary Natural Bridge Station | 13.4 mi | 3.1 |
| Cloverdale Elementary Cloverdale | 15.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Read Mountain Middle Cloverdale | 16.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Sharon Elementary Clifton Forge | 18.2 mi | 9.3 |
| Bonsack Elementary Roanoke | 17.2 mi | 8.7 |
| ROANOKE ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Roanoke | 18.0 mi | — |
| MINERAL SPRINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Vinton | 18.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Stewartsville Elementary Goodview | 19.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Bedford Primary Bedford | 17.8 mi | 5.8 |
| COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Clifton Forge | 19.5 mi | — |
| Liberty High Bedford | 17.4 mi | 6.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding James River High has a median household income of $62,536. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $200,100, with a median rent of $947/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Franklin High Franklin, VA | 5.8 |
| Achievable Dream Middle/High Newport News, VA | 5.6 |
| Grundy High Grundy, VA | 5.6 |
| Virginia High Bristol, VA | 5.9 |
| Carver College and Career Academy Chester, VA | 5.4 |
| Dan River High Ringgold, VA | 6.0 |
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 is ranked #1225 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is James River High's MySchoolScout rating?
James River High has a composite rating of 5.7 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 James River High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James River High has 91.2% math proficiency and 90.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (782/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (540) 254-1121
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Botetourt County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,488
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,903
- District Rank
- #11 of 11
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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