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
Enrollment
512
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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J.w. Adams Combined — Students at J.w. Adams Combined score 95% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
85.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 18 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: 7.6/10.
How J.w. Adams Combined Compares
See how J.w. Adams Combined performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 95% (2019) to 100% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 92% (2019) to 90% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (276) 796-5419
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wise County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,883
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,973
- District Rank
- #6 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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