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Excellent

#272 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 15% in state

J.w. Adams Combined

Elementary School · Wise County Public Schools

10824 Orby Cantrell Hwy, Pound, VA 24279

Enrollment

512

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia elementary schools

#140 of 1,147

In district

#6 of 11

Wise County Public Schools

Academic performance

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About J.w. Adams Combined

J.W. Adams Combined serves 512 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Pound, Virginia, delivering exceptional academic results in a small-school setting. With 41 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an impressive 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention and strong student-educator relationships.

The school's academic performance is truly outstanding, earning an 8.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #221 out of 1,856 Virginia schools, placing it in the 88th percentile statewide. Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 90% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, and an impressive 92% reaching proficiency in mathematics across all grade levels. Located on Orby Cantrell Highway, J.W.

Adams Combined operates as a regular public elementary school in Wise County's rural landscape. The school serves families in a community where the median household income is $41,371 and median home values average $96,200, reflecting the area's working-class character. Despite serving a population where 17.1% live below the poverty line and only 11% hold bachelor's degrees, the school has created an environment where students thrive academically.

J.W. Adams Combined stands as a beacon of educational excellence in rural Wise County, proving that dedicated teachers and strong community support can help students achieve remarkable success.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, J.w. Adams Combined 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.9Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency100%
Reading/ELA Proficiency90%
Math vs. State Avg+24.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.3 pts
Overall Proficiency95%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected+24.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile98th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.1Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,634

J.w. Adams Combined — Students at J.w. Adams Combined score 95% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

85.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 92.4%
School
State
69.1%
ELA Proficiency 89.6%
School
State
72.6%

Based on 18 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
95%
ELA
92%
2021*
Math
83%
ELA
85%
2025
Math
93.4%
ELA
89.9%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How J.w. Adams Combined Compares

See how J.w. Adams Combined performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.0/10
85th percentile in VA
Academic
9.9/10
9.9/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
6.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
86%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers

Location

10824 Orby Cantrell Hwy, Pound, VA 24279

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering J.w. Adams Combined may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wise Primary (rated 8.1/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Wise), with a very similar rating. Another option is Coeburn Primary (rated 7.9/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Coeburn), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Martha Jane Potter Elementary School (rated 5.9/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Whitesburg), a more accessible option. For more schools in Pound, see our Pound schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Jenkins Independent School Jenkins 4.3 mi 6.2
MINNICK EDUCATION CENTER - WISE Wise 9.2 mi
L.F. Addington Middle Wise 9.5 mi 8.5
Fleming Neon Middle School Neon 8.4 mi 6.4
Wise Primary Wise 9.6 mi 8.1
Martha Jane Potter Elementary School Whitesburg 8.4 mi 5.9
Central High Norton 10.7 mi 5.9
Clintwood Elementary Clintwood 9.2 mi 3.5
Dorton Elementary School Dorton 11.6 mi 5.2
Norton Elementary Norton 11.8 mi 5.4
J.I. Burton High Norton 12.7 mi 7.7
Letcher County Central High School Whitesburg 10.5 mi 7.5
VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Virgie 13.6 mi
Arlie Boggs Elementary School Eolia 11.6 mi 3.7
Coeburn Middle Coeburn 13.2 mi 8.1
Letcher County Alternative Education Ctr Whitesburg 11.4 mi
Coeburn Primary Coeburn 13.3 mi 7.9
Eastside High Coeburn 13.5 mi 6.8
Ridgeview High Clintwood 11.6 mi 6.8
Ridgeview Middle Clintwood 11.6 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24279 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,344

Median Home Value

$98,900

Median Rent

$666/mo

Population

4,679

College Educated

9.5%

Homeownership

84.9%

Avg Commute

31 min

Poverty Rate

15.5%

Median Age

42.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding J.w. Adams Combined has a median household income of $42,344. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $98,900, with a median rent of $666/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.5%. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Algonkian Elementary Sterling, VA 8.0
Arlington Traditional Arlington, VA 8.0
Buckingham Co Elementary Dillwyn, VA 8.0
Chesterbrook Elementary Mclean, VA 8.0
John W. Tolbert Jr. Elementary Leesburg, VA 8.0
King's Grant Elementary Virginia Beach, VA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about J.w. Adams Combined

What grades does J.w. Adams Combined serve?

J.w. Adams Combined serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend J.w. Adams Combined?

J.w. Adams Combined has an enrollment of approximately 512 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at J.w. Adams Combined?

The student-teacher ratio at J.w. Adams Combined 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 J.w. Adams Combined rank in VA?

J.w. Adams Combined is ranked #272 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is J.w. Adams Combined's MySchoolScout rating?

J.w. Adams Combined has a composite rating of 8.0 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 J.w. Adams Combined?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, J.w. Adams Combined has 92.4% math proficiency and 89.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is J.w. Adams Combined a charter school?

No, J.w. Adams Combined is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is J.w. Adams Combined a Title I school?

No, J.w. Adams Combined is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for J.w. Adams Combined?

85.5% of students at J.w. Adams Combined 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
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
3 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (602/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
512
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
85.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Wise County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wise County Public Schools
District Enrollment
5,883
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,973
District Rank
#6 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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