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Average

#954 of 1,851 schools in VA

Lancaster High

High School · Lancaster County Public Schools

8815 Mary Ball Rd, Lancaster, VA 22503

Enrollment

408

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

6.3

Grades

8th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#954 of 1,851

In district

#1 of 2

Lancaster County Public Schools

Equity

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Lancaster High

6.3/10

High School in Lancaster · grades 8th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lancaster Early Childhood Education Center

Nearby

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

Lancaster Elementary School

3.6/10

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

About Lancaster High

Lancaster High is a public high school in Lancaster, VA, part of Lancaster County Public Schools. Lancaster High serves approximately 408 students, and covers grades 8th-12th, and has a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Lancaster High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #954 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Lancaster High show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below VA schools
  • This school 6.3 · Average
  • VA avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

Lancaster 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.

31% of students at Lancaster High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.2Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.77 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency71% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-14.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.7 pts
Overall Proficiency66% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)64% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+2.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
College Readiness9.5Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate87%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,962
Chronic Absenteeism31.4%

Lancaster High — Students at Lancaster High score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 54.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
69.6% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 78.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.7% (2025 SOL)

Based on 29 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
85%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
76%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
46%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
51%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
59%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
40%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
50%
ELA
87%
2017
ELA
92%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2020*
Math
37%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
44%
ELA
65%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Lancaster High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
49th percentile in VA
Academic
5.8/10
Average
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.1/10
Average
Sports
16
7 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.4%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics16sports offered
7 boys'·9 girls'·23 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

8815 Mary Ball Rd, Lancaster, VA 22503

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lancaster High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Middlesex High (rated 7.6/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Saluda), which scores notably higher. Another option is CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Christchurch), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Northumberland High (rated 7.1/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Heathsville), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Lancaster, see our Lancaster schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 24.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Lancaster Early Childhood Education Center Kilmarnock 5.5 mi
Lancaster Elementary School Kilmarnock 5.5 mi 3.6
CHESAPEAKE ACADEMY Irvington 7.8 mi 6.4
Northumberland Elementary Heathsville 9.6 mi 8.2
Northumberland High Heathsville 10.0 mi 7.1
Northumberland Middle Heathsville 10.1 mi 7.0
CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL Christchurch 11.9 mi 7.5
St. Clare Walker Middle Locust Hill 12.5 mi 5.3
Middlesex Elementary Locust Hill 12.7 mi 4.6
Middlesex High Saluda 13.7 mi 7.6
Richmond County Elementary Warsaw 19.9 mi 6.2
Rappahannock High Warsaw 20.0 mi 4.9
Petsworth Elementary Gloucester 22.7 mi 8.0
Mathews High Mathews 23.1 mi 6.0
WARE ACADEMY Gloucester 23.8 mi 7.4
Ridge Elementary Ridge 24.2 mi 6.3
Thomas Hunter Middle Mathews 24.0 mi 6.5
GLOUCESTER MONTESSORI SCHOOL Gloucester 24.3 mi
Mathews Elementary Mathews 24.1 mi 8.5
Botetourt Elementary Gloucester 24.6 mi 8.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 22503 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,993

Median Home Value

$257,300

Median Rent

$1,092/mo

Population

4,046

College Educated

31.8%

Homeownership

85.4%

Avg Commute

20.7 min

Poverty Rate

12.1%

Median Age

53.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Achievable Dream Middle/High Newport News, VA 6.3
CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Virginia Beach, VA 6.2
Gretna High Gretna, VA 6.2
Craig County High New Castle, VA 6.4
Grundy High Grundy, VA 6.4
TRINITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Richmond, VA 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lancaster High

What grades does Lancaster High serve?

Lancaster High serves students in grades 8th through 12th.

How many students attend Lancaster High?

Lancaster High has an enrollment of approximately 408 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lancaster High?

The student-teacher ratio at Lancaster High is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lancaster High rank in VA?

Lancaster High ranks #954 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Lancaster High's MySchoolScout rating?

Lancaster High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 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 Lancaster High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Lancaster High has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Lancaster High a charter school?

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

Is Lancaster High a Title I school?

No, Lancaster High is not currently a Title I school.

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

98.5% of students at Lancaster 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
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
408
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Lancaster County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.4%
4-Year Graduation
87.0%

District

Lancaster County Public Schools
District Enrollment
1,020
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,962
District Rank
#1 of 2

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