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Very Good

#664 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 36% in state

Lancaster High

High School · Lancaster County Public Schools

8815 Mary Ball Rd, Lancaster, VA 22503

Enrollment

408

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

7.0

Grades

8th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia high schools

#140 of 323

In district

#1 of 2

Lancaster County Public Schools

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Lancaster High

Lancaster High is a regular public high school in the rural setting of Lancaster, Virginia. Serving students from eighth to twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 408 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.2:1 with 31 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.9 out of 10, placing it at the 38th percentile among Virginia schools, with an academic score of 3.7/10.

Academically, 66% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 47% meet proficiency standards in math. While Lancaster High shows areas for improvement in test scores, it focuses on student development through a range of educational programs tailored to its rural community. The school’s remote location offers a close-knit environment where students can thrive with support from dedicated teachers and staff.

Lancaster High is situated in an area that values community engagement and provides unique opportunities for hands-on learning experiences closely tied to the local setting.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Lancaster 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 Progress5.2Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.08 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75%
Reading/ELA Proficiency81%
Math vs. State Avg-0.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.3 pts
Overall Proficiency78%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected+10.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,274

Lancaster High — Students at Lancaster High score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

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 50.3%
School
State
69.6%
ELA Proficiency 68.5%
School
State
74.7%

Based on 8 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
51%
ELA
70%

* 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: 5.2/10.

How Lancaster High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
64th percentile in VA
Academic
7.4/10
7.4/10
Growth
5.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

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 7.8/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Saluda), which scores slightly higher. Another option is CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Christchurch), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Northumberland High (rated 7.2/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Heathsville), with a very similar rating. 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 2.7
CHESAPEAKE ACADEMY Irvington 7.8 mi 6.4
Northumberland Elementary Heathsville 9.6 mi 6.6
Northumberland High Heathsville 10.0 mi 7.2
Northumberland Middle Heathsville 10.1 mi 7.8
CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL Christchurch 11.9 mi 7.5
St. Clare Walker Middle Locust Hill 12.5 mi 8.7
Middlesex Elementary Locust Hill 12.7 mi 6.4
Middlesex High Saluda 13.7 mi 7.8
Richmond County Elementary Warsaw 19.9 mi 6.9
Rappahannock High Warsaw 20.0 mi 4.9
Petsworth Elementary Gloucester 22.7 mi 8.5
Mathews High Mathews 23.1 mi 5.1
WARE ACADEMY Gloucester 23.8 mi 7.4
Ridge Elementary Ridge 24.2 mi 4.6
Thomas Hunter Middle Mathews 24.0 mi 9.4
GLOUCESTER MONTESSORI SCHOOL Gloucester 24.3 mi
Mathews Elementary Mathews 24.1 mi 8.9
Botetourt Elementary Gloucester 24.6 mi 7.3

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lancaster High has a median household income of $70,993. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $257,300, with a median rent of $1,092/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Craig County High New Castle, VA 7.0
Graham High Bluefield, VA 7.0
Union High Big Stone Gap, VA 7.0
Buffalo Gap High Swoope, VA 6.9
EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOOL Alexandria, VA 7.1
Windsor High Windsor, VA 7.1

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 is ranked #664 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Lancaster High's MySchoolScout rating?

Lancaster High has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Lancaster High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lancaster High has 50.3% math proficiency and 68.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

County Safety
Elevated (791/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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