Average
#215 of 457 private schools in VA
Top 47% of private schools
North Branch School
Elementary School
221 MICKENS RD, Afton, VA 22920
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
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher
6.3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow North Branch School compares to the 1 public school in Afton, VA
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (540) 456-8450
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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