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Needs Improvement

#1785 of 1,850 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

3.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia elementary schools

#1,085 of 1,147

In district

#6 of 6

Rockbridge County Public Schools

School environment

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Natural Bridge Elementary

Natural Bridge Elementary serves 247 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Natural Bridge Station, a rural community in Rockbridge County. With 24 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an impressive 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio, providing opportunities for more personalized attention and support. The school has earned recognition for its performance, achieving a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #267 out of 1,856 Virginia elementary schools, placing it in the 86th percentile statewide.

This strong standing reflects the dedication of the school community to student success. Natural Bridge Elementary serves families in a close-knit rural area where the median household income is $41,542 and the poverty rate is relatively low at 9.6%. The surrounding ZIP code has a population of just over 1,100 residents, with median home values around $147,600.

While only 11% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the school works to provide quality educational opportunities for all students. The school's rural setting in Rockbridge County offers students a peaceful learning environment surrounded by Virginia's natural beauty, fostering a strong sense of community among students, families, and educators.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Natural Bridge Elementary 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 metrics
Student Progress1.5Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.32 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.3Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Math vs. State Avg-16.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28.7 pts
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)73%
vs. Expected-21.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,925

Natural Bridge Elementary — Students at Natural Bridge Elementary score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

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 62.2%
School
State
73.5%
ELA Proficiency 54.8%
School
State
72.2%

Based on 12 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
92%
ELA
82%
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: 1.5/10.

How Natural Bridge Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.1/10
4th percentile in VA
Academic
2.3/10
2.3/10
Growth
1.5/10
Below average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

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 8.8/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Lexington), which scores notably higher. Another option is Otter River Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Goode), which scores notably higher. Additionally, F.W. Kling Jr. Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Buena Vista), 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 4.1
Maury River Middle Lexington 11.0 mi 8.1
BUFFALO CREEK BOYS SCHOOL Lexington 11.0 mi
Enderly Heights Elementary Buena Vista 9.8 mi 6.8
Harrington Waddell Elementary Lexington 11.5 mi 8.8
Parry McCluer High Buena Vista 10.2 mi 7.2
Central Elementary Lexington 11.7 mi 5.0
EARTHSONG COMMUNITY SCHOOL Lexington 11.9 mi
Lylburn Downing Middle Lexington 12.0 mi 7.6
Parry McCluer Middle Buena Vista 11.4 mi 8.3
F.W. Kling Jr. Elementary Buena Vista 11.9 mi 7.4
Rockbridge County High Lexington 13.2 mi 5.2
Mountain View Elementary Buena Vista 13.6 mi 4.8
Buchanan Elementary Buchanan 13.5 mi 6.2
James River High Buchanan 13.4 mi 5.7
Liberty High Bedford 17.2 mi 6.6
ROCKBRIDGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lexington 16.5 mi 5.1
Liberty Middle Bedford 17.3 mi 7.8
Otter River Elementary Goode 18.0 mi 8.5
Bedford Primary Bedford 19.4 mi 5.8

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Natural Bridge Elementary has a median household income of $43,026. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $139,200. The area has a poverty rate of 12.2%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Washington-Lee Elementary Bristol, VA 3.1
Highland View Elementary Bristol, VA 3.2
Montrose Elementary Richmond, VA 3.0
Pleasant Valley Elementary Harrisonburg, VA 3.2
Stanleytown Elementary Stanleytown, VA 3.0
Willis Elementary Willis, VA 3.0

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 is ranked #1785 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Natural Bridge Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Natural Bridge Elementary has a composite rating of 3.1 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 Natural Bridge Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Natural Bridge Elementary has 62.2% math proficiency and 54.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

County Safety
Elevated (1,045/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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