Excellent
#268 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 14% in state
Marion Elementary
Elementary School · Smyth County Public Schools
188 Star Mountain Dr, Marion, VA 24354
Enrollment
309
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
309
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Marion
#1 of 4
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#137 of 1,147
In district
#7 of 13
Smyth County Public Schools
Equity
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Marion Elementary
Marion Elementary serves 309 students in grades prekindergarten through fifth in Marion, Virginia, offering a close-knit learning environment with a favorable 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio and 25 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a solid 7.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks #475 out of 1,856 Virginia elementary schools, placing it in the 74th percentile statewide. Students demonstrate strong academic performance, with 78% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 72% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics.
These results reflect the school's commitment to foundational learning during these crucial early years. Marion Elementary operates within Smyth County's educational system, serving families in a community where the median household income is $41,091 and median home values are $135,500. The surrounding area has a 19% college graduation rate and faces some economic challenges, with a poverty rate of 19.3%.
Located on Star Mountain Drive, Marion Elementary sits in a town setting that provides students with a blend of small-community familiarity and educational opportunity. The school serves as an important educational anchor in this Southwest Virginia community of nearly 14,000 residents.
Score Breakdown
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Marion Elementary — Students at Marion Elementary score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
101.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 12 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: 8.3/10.
How Marion Elementary Compares
See how Marion Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 76% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 77% (2019) to 82% (2025).
Location
188 Star Mountain Dr, Marion, VA 24354
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Marion Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Saltville Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Saltville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chilhowie Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Chilhowie), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Rich Valley Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Saltville), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Marion, see our Marion schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Marion Senior High Marion | 0.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Marion Middle Marion | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Atkins Elementary Atkins | 4.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Oak Point Elementary Marion | 5.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Sugar Grove Elementary Sugar Grove | 6.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Rich Valley Elementary Saltville | 9.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Northwood Middle Saltville | 9.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Chilhowie Elementary Chilhowie | 9.1 mi | 8.8 |
| Chilhowie High Chilhowie | 9.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Chilhowie Middle Chilhowie | 9.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Grayson Highlands Troutdale | 14.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Rural Retreat High Rural Retreat | 13.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Rural Retreat Middle Rural Retreat | 13.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Rural Retreat Elementary Rural Retreat | 13.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Saltville Elementary Saltville | 14.5 mi | 9.4 |
| Northwood High Saltville | 14.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Tazewell High Tazewell | 19.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Glade Spring Middle Glade Spring | 16.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Tazewell Primary Tazewell | 19.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Tazewell Middle Tazewell | 19.9 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24354 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$42,076
Median Home Value
$142,100
Median Rent
$686/mo
Population
12,984
College Educated
19.7%
Homeownership
66%
Avg Commute
19.5 min
Poverty Rate
16.9%
Median Age
48.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Marion Elementary has a median household income of $42,076. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $142,100, with a median rent of $686/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.9%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Buckingham Co Elementary Dillwyn, VA | 8.0 |
| Capron Elementary Capron, VA | 8.0 |
| Ferrum Elementary Ferrum, VA | 8.0 |
| Greenbrier Elementary Charlottesville, VA | 8.0 |
| Mount Pleasant Elementary Roanoke, VA | 8.0 |
| North Elementary Colonial Heights, VA | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Marion Elementary
What grades does Marion Elementary serve?
Marion Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Marion Elementary?
Marion Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 309 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Marion Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Marion Elementary is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Marion Elementary rank in VA?
Marion Elementary is ranked #268 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Marion Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Marion Elementary 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 Marion Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Marion Elementary has 71.5% math proficiency and 77.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Marion Elementary a charter school?
No, Marion Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Marion Elementary a Title I school?
No, Marion Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Marion Elementary?
101.3% of students at Marion Elementary 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Marion). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 309
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 101.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Smyth County
- Phone
- (276) 783-3021
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Smyth County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,892
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,196
- District Rank
- #7 of 13
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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