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
Enrollment
485
Student-Teacher
10.8:1
Score
7.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Nelson County High — Students at Nelson County High score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
82.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 6 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: 8.7/10.
How Nelson County High Compares
See how Nelson County High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 85% (2019) to 89% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 92% (2019) to 88% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (434) 263-8317
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Nelson County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,495
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,458
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
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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