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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.29 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.6Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency86%
Reading/ELA Proficiency93%
Math vs. State Avg+10.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.3 pts
Overall Proficiency90%
Expected (poverty-adj.)83%
vs. Expected+6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College Readiness3.3Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,046

James River High — Students at James River High score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 83%).

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 91.2%
School
State
75.4%
ELA Proficiency 90.7%
School
State
75.7%

Based on 6 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
90%
ELA
92%
2021*
Math
97.5%
ELA
87%
2025
Math
86%
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: 7.1/10.

How James River High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
34th percentile in VA
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
4.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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