Very Good
#609 of 1,851 schools in VA
Top 33% 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
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
485
Student-Teacher
10.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia schools
#609 of 1,851
In Lovingston
#2 of 2
public schools
In district
#2 of 4
Nelson County Public Schools
Equity
9.8 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Nelson County High?
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Nelson County High
High School in Lovingston · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Nelson Middle
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Tye River Elementary
1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Nelson County High
Nelson County High is a public high school in Lovingston, VA, part of Nelson County Public Schools. Nelson County High serves approximately 485 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 10.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Nelson County High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #609 of 1,851 schools in VA.
Structured state assessment records for Nelson County High show 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 90% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.3 · Very Good
- VA avg 6.9
What Parents Should Know
Nelson County High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Nelson County High — Students at Nelson County High score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
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 27 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: 7.2/10.
How Nelson County High Compares
See how Nelson County High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 6.5/10, 22.6 miles away, in nearby Stuarts Draft), with a comparable rating. 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 | 7.5 |
| Tye River Elementary Arrington | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Temperance Elementary Amherst | 10.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Amherst Elementary Amherst | 12.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Amherst Middle Amherst | 13.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Central Elementary Amherst | 13.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Rockfish River Elementary Afton | 15.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Amherst County High Amherst | 14.3 mi | 5.5 |
| 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 | 4.1 |
| Guy K. Stump Elementary Stuarts Draft | 21.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Stuarts Draft Middle Stuarts Draft | 22.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Stuarts Draft Elementary Stuarts Draft | 22.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Stuarts Draft High Stuarts Draft | 22.6 mi | 6.5 |
| APPALACHIAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waynesboro | 23.1 mi | 5.7 |
| FISHBURNE MILITARY SCHOOL Waynesboro | 23.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Wenonah Elementary Waynesboro | 23.2 mi | 5.9 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Chincoteague High Chincoteague, VA | 7.3 |
| Westmoreland High Montross, VA | 7.3 |
| BENEDICTINE COLLEGE PREPARATORY Richmond, VA | 7.2 |
| Buffalo Gap High Swoope, VA | 7.2 |
| Central High Norton, VA | 7.2 |
| Essex High Tappahannock, 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 ranks #609 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is Nelson County High's MySchoolScout rating?
Nelson County High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 Nelson County High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Nelson County High has 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 90% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 28.5%
- Phone
- (434) 263-8317
- 4-Year Graduation
- 87.0%
Resources & Links
District
Nelson County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,495
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,458
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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