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Average

#215 of 457 private schools in VA

Top 47% of private schools

North Branch School

Elementary School

221 MICKENS RD, Afton, VA 22920

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on VA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

92

Student-Teacher

6.3:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Virginia elementary schools

#93 of 200

About North Branch School

North Branch School is a small, rural elementary school nestled in the town of Afton, Virginia. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, North Branch offers a tight-knit community where every child receives personalized attention. With an enrollment of 92 students and a student-teacher ratio of 6.3:1, teachers can focus on individual needs, fostering a supportive learning environment.

While specific test scores are not available to provide context for academic performance, the school has received a MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks in the 26th percentile among Virginia schools based on its state ranking at #337 out of 457. This suggests that North Branch is focusing on student development rather than purely academic metrics. North Branch School’s rural setting offers a peaceful atmosphere, surrounded by nature yet conveniently close to local amenities and services in Afton.

The school is an integral part of the community, providing students with a nurturing environment where they can grow both academically and socially.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 92 students, North Branch School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.3:1, North Branch School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, North Branch School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2024 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$12,169
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$13,343
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.10x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
68%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$2.4M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 92 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How North Branch School compares to the 1 public school in Afton, VA

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.3:1
This School
vs
13.3:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
92
This School
vs
292
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.4
This School
vs
6.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 90.2% vs 0%
Hispanic 2.2% vs 0%
Asian 1.1% vs 0%
North Branch School Afton Public Avg

All Schools in Afton

School Rating
North Branch School (this school) 6.4
Rockfish River Elementary 6.2

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in VA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B+ 6.5 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,253
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C+ 3.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 18%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B 6.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 92
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in VA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 90.2%
Two or More 6.5%
Hispanic 2.2%
Asian 1.1%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

221 MICKENS RD, Afton, VA 22920

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering North Branch School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Brownsville Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Crozet), which scores notably higher. Another option is Crozet Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Crozet), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wenonah Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Waynesboro), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Afton, see our Afton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Rockfish River Elementary Afton 3.9 mi 6.2
Wenonah Elementary Waynesboro 5.7 mi 7.5
Berkeley Glenn Elementary Waynesboro 5.8 mi 6.7
FISHBURNE MILITARY SCHOOL Waynesboro 6.0 mi 8.0
APPALACHIAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waynesboro 6.1 mi 5.7
William Perry Elementary Waynesboro 6.7 mi 3.2
Waynesboro High Waynesboro 6.4 mi 5.4
Wayne Hills Center Waynesboro 6.7 mi 5.2
Kate Collins Middle Waynesboro 6.9 mi 7.1
Westwood Hills Elementary Waynesboro 6.8 mi 6.5
MILLER SCHOOL OF ALBEMARLE Charlottesville 6.6 mi 6.7
Western Albemarle High Crozet 7.1 mi 7.5
Joseph T. Henley Middle Crozet 7.3 mi 7.1
Brownsville Elementary Crozet 7.4 mi 9.1
Cassell Elementary Waynesboro 9.4 mi 4.2
FIELD SCHOOL OF CHARLOTTESVILLE Crozet 8.5 mi 6.0
Crozet Elementary Crozet 8.6 mi 8.2
STAUNTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Fishersville 9.9 mi 4.9
Red Hill Elementary North Garden 10.4 mi 5.8
Stuarts Draft Elementary Stuarts Draft 10.7 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 22920 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$100,760

Median Home Value

$357,200

Median Rent

$1,075/mo

Population

3,744

College Educated

46.5%

Homeownership

84.1%

Avg Commute

25.6 min

Poverty Rate

6.1%

Median Age

53.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding North Branch School has a median household income of $100,760. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $357,200, with a median rent of $1,075/month. The local poverty rate of 6.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
HANOVER ACADEMY Ashland, VA 6.4
SIENA ACADEMY Great Falls, VA 6.5
ST MARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Portsmouth, VA 6.5
ACADEMY OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Henrico, VA 6.3
CHESAPEAKE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Chesapeake, VA 6.3
ST MICHAELS ACADEMY Warrenton, VA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about North Branch School

What grades does North Branch School serve?

North Branch School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend North Branch School?

North Branch School has an enrollment of approximately 92 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at North Branch School?

The student-teacher ratio at North Branch School is 6.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does North Branch School rank in VA?

North Branch School is ranked #215 out of 457 private schools in VA.

What is North Branch School's MySchoolScout rating?

North Branch School has a composite rating of 6.4 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.

Is North Branch School a private school?

Yes, North Branch School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is North Branch School a religious school?

No, North Branch School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

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Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
92
Gender Split
46% M / 54% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
179 days
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
NELSON
Data Year
2022–2023

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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