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#990 of 1,851 schools in VA

Natural Bridge Elementary

Elementary School · Rockbridge County Public Schools

P. O. Box 280, Natural Bridge Station, VA 24579

Enrollment

247

Student-Teacher

10.3:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#990 of 1,851

In district

#6 of 6

Rockbridge County Public Schools

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Natural Bridge Elementary

6.2/10

Elementary School in Natural Bridge Station · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Big Island Elementary

7.3/10

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

Maury River Middle

6.5/10

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

About Natural Bridge Elementary

Natural Bridge Elementary is a public elementary school in Natural Bridge Station, VA, part of Rockbridge County Public Schools. Natural Bridge Elementary serves approximately 247 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Natural Bridge Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #990 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Natural Bridge Elementary show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 6.2 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • VA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Natural Bridge Elementary sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Natural Bridge Elementary 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.5 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics2.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-16.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28.7 pts
Overall Proficiency52% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)70% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-17.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,836
Chronic Absenteeism23.9%

Natural Bridge Elementary — Students at Natural Bridge Elementary score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.5% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 63.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.2% (2025 SOL)

Based on 33 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
77%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
82%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2017
ELA
72%
2018
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2019
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
57.3%
ELA
47.5%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Natural Bridge Elementary Compares

See how Natural Bridge Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
47th percentile in VA
Academic
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
7.7/10
Very Good
Environment
7.9/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.9%

Programs & Offerings

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

P. O. Box 280, Natural Bridge Station, VA 24579

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Natural Bridge Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Harrington Waddell Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Lexington), which scores notably higher. Another option is Enderly Heights Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Buena Vista), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Otter River Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Goode), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Natural Bridge Station, see our Natural Bridge Station schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Big Island Elementary Big Island 7.6 mi 7.3
Maury River Middle Lexington 11.0 mi 6.5
BUFFALO CREEK BOYS SCHOOL Lexington 11.0 mi
Enderly Heights Elementary Buena Vista 9.8 mi 9.0
Harrington Waddell Elementary Lexington 11.5 mi 9.2
Parry McCluer High Buena Vista 10.2 mi 7.1
Central Elementary Lexington 11.7 mi 6.3
EARTHSONG COMMUNITY SCHOOL Lexington 11.9 mi
Lylburn Downing Middle Lexington 12.0 mi 8.4
Parry McCluer Middle Buena Vista 11.4 mi 9.2
F.W. Kling Jr. Elementary Buena Vista 11.9 mi 2.7
Rockbridge County High Lexington 13.2 mi 6.2
Mountain View Elementary Buena Vista 13.6 mi 7.6
Buchanan Elementary Buchanan 13.5 mi 7.5
James River High Buchanan 13.4 mi 7.8
Liberty High Bedford 17.2 mi 6.3
ROCKBRIDGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lexington 16.5 mi 5.1
Liberty Middle Bedford 17.3 mi 7.9
Otter River Elementary Goode 18.0 mi 8.6
Bedford Primary Bedford 19.4 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24579 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$43,026

Median Home Value

$139,200

Population

1,037

College Educated

11.4%

Homeownership

74.5%

Poverty Rate

12.2%

Median Age

53.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
A.S. Rhodes Elementary Front Royal, VA 6.2
OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL Newport News, VA 6.2
ST LUKE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Mclean, VA 6.2
Shenandoah Elementary Shenandoah, VA 6.2
CALVARY ROAD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Alexandria, VA 6.3
Frederick Douglass Elementary Winchester, VA 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Natural Bridge Elementary

What grades does Natural Bridge Elementary serve?

Natural Bridge Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Natural Bridge Elementary?

Natural Bridge Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 247 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Natural Bridge Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Natural Bridge Elementary is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Natural Bridge Elementary rank in VA?

Natural Bridge Elementary ranks #990 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Natural Bridge Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Natural Bridge Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 Natural Bridge Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Natural Bridge Elementary has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Natural Bridge Elementary a charter school?

No, Natural Bridge Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Natural Bridge Elementary a Title I school?

No, Natural Bridge Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Natural Bridge Elementary?

74.9% of students at Natural Bridge 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
14 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
3 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
247
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Rockbridge County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.9%

District

Rockbridge County Public Schools
District Enrollment
2,498
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,836
District Rank
#6 of 6

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