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Very Good

#451 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 24% in state

Nelson County High

High School · Nelson County Public Schools

6919 Thomas Nelson Hwy, Lovingston, VA 22949

Enrollment

485

Student-Teacher

10.8:1

Score

7.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lovingston

#2 of 2

public schools

Virginia high schools

#96 of 323

In district

#3 of 4

Nelson County Public Schools

Equity

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Nelson County High

Nelson County High serves 485 students in grades 9-12 in Lovingston, Virginia, earning a solid 7.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #205 out of 1,856 Virginia high schools, placing it in the 89th percentile statewide. This regular public school maintains a favorable 10.8:1 student-teacher ratio with 45 full-time equivalent teachers, creating opportunities for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school draws from a diverse economic community where the median household income is $51,250 and the median home value is $242,000.

About 22% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the area faces some economic challenges with a poverty rate of 20.5%. Despite these mixed demographics, Nelson County High has achieved recognition as a top-performing school in Virginia, suggesting effective teaching and learning taking place within its walls. Located on Thomas Nelson Highway in the heart of Nelson County, the school serves a rural community of just over 1,100 residents.

This small-town setting provides students with a close-knit educational environment where teachers and staff can develop meaningful relationships with students and families, fostering both academic growth and personal development in Virginia's scenic rural landscape.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Nelson County 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 Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.41 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.1Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency89%
Reading/ELA Proficiency88%
Math vs. State Avg+13.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.3 pts
Overall Proficiency89%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected+17.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College Readiness3.8Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation8.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,646

Nelson County High — Students at Nelson County High score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

82.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 77.0%
School
State
75.4%
ELA Proficiency 87.3%
School
State
75.7%

Based on 6 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
85%
ELA
92%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
82%
2025
Math
89%
ELA
88%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How Nelson County High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
76th percentile in VA
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers

Location

6919 Thomas Nelson Hwy, Lovingston, VA 22949

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nelson County High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. FISHBURNE MILITARY SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 23.1 miles away, in nearby Waynesboro), which scores slightly higher. Another option is MILLER SCHOOL OF ALBEMARLE (rated 6.7/10, 21.7 miles away, in nearby Charlottesville), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Stuarts Draft High (rated 5.9/10, 22.6 miles away, in nearby Stuarts Draft), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lovingston, see our Lovingston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Nelson Middle Lovingston 0.1 mi 8.9
Tye River Elementary Arrington 1.8 mi 7.8
Temperance Elementary Amherst 10.5 mi 6.1
Amherst Elementary Amherst 12.9 mi 5.0
Amherst Middle Amherst 13.5 mi 8.0
Central Elementary Amherst 13.6 mi 3.5
Rockfish River Elementary Afton 15.0 mi 6.2
Amherst County High Amherst 14.3 mi 4.3
NORTH BRANCH SCHOOL Afton 18.9 mi 6.4
RIDGEVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Stuarts Draft 20.4 mi 5.7
KEYS ACADEMY - AUGUSTA/STUARTS DRAFT Stuarts Draft 21.5 mi
Berkeley Glenn Elementary Waynesboro 22.4 mi 6.7
Guy K. Stump Elementary Stuarts Draft 21.9 mi 3.4
Stuarts Draft Middle Stuarts Draft 22.4 mi 5.6
Stuarts Draft Elementary Stuarts Draft 22.6 mi 6.9
Stuarts Draft High Stuarts Draft 22.6 mi 5.9
APPALACHIAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waynesboro 23.1 mi 5.7
FISHBURNE MILITARY SCHOOL Waynesboro 23.1 mi 8.0
Wenonah Elementary Waynesboro 23.2 mi 7.5
MILLER SCHOOL OF ALBEMARLE Charlottesville 21.7 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 22949 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,234

Median Home Value

$259,100

Population

1,260

College Educated

29.9%

Homeownership

71.5%

Poverty Rate

17.1%

Median Age

58

Community Profile

The community surrounding Nelson County High has a median household income of $50,234. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $259,100. The area has a poverty rate of 17.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Greensville County High Emporia, VA 7.5
Nottoway High Crewe, VA 7.5
Brunswick High Lawrenceville, VA 7.4
Cumberland High Cumberland, VA 7.4
Lebanon High Lebanon, VA 7.4
Madison County High Madison, VA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nelson County High

What grades does Nelson County High serve?

Nelson County High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Nelson County High?

Nelson County High has an enrollment of approximately 485 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nelson County High?

The student-teacher ratio at Nelson County High is 10.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nelson County High rank in VA?

Nelson County High is ranked #451 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Nelson County High's MySchoolScout rating?

Nelson County High has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Nelson County High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nelson County High has 77.0% math proficiency and 87.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Nelson County High a charter school?

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

Is Nelson County High a Title I school?

No, Nelson County High is not currently a Title I school.

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

82.7% of students at Nelson County 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
13 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (1,144/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
485
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
45
Free/Reduced Lunch
82.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Nelson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Nelson County Public Schools
District Enrollment
1,495
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,458
District Rank
#3 of 4

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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