Skip to main content

Very Good

#460 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 25% in state

Northwood High

High School · Smyth County Public Schools

PO Box Y, Saltville, VA 24370

Enrollment

230

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

7.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Saltville

#3 of 4

public schools

Virginia high schools

#98 of 323

In district

#9 of 13

Smyth County Public Schools

Academic performance

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Northwood High

Northwood High stands as an exceptional educational institution in Saltville, Virginia, serving 230 students in grades 9 through 12. This rural high school has earned remarkable recognition, ranking 13th out of 1,856 schools statewide and placing in the 99th percentile with an outstanding MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 18 full-time equivalent teachers, Northwood maintains an intimate learning environment with a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention and strong student-teacher relationships.

The school's academic excellence shines through impressive test performance, with 86% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 83% reaching proficiency in mathematics. These stellar results are particularly noteworthy given the school's community context. The surrounding ZIP code of 24370 has a median household income of $46,648 and a poverty rate of 22.7%, with 18% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

Northwood's ability to achieve such exceptional academic outcomes demonstrates the dedication of its educators and the potential of its student body. Located in rural Smyth County, Northwood High serves a close-knit community where median home values of $91,100 reflect the area's affordable, small-town character among the 5,730 residents.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Northwood 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 Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.47 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics10.0Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency100%
Reading/ELA Proficiency98%
Math vs. State Avg+24.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+22.3 pts
Overall Proficiency99%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected+32.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile100th
College Readiness3.5Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,836

Northwood High — Students at Northwood High score 99% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 84.7%
School
State
75.4%
ELA Proficiency 85.7%
School
State
75.7%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
100%
ELA
98%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Northwood High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
75th percentile in VA
Academic
10.0/10
10.0/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
101%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

PO Box Y, Saltville, VA 24370

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northwood High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Holston High (rated 8.2/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Damascus), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Patrick Henry High (rated 7.7/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Glade Spring), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Richlands High (rated 7.4/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Richlands), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Saltville, see our Saltville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Saltville Elementary Saltville 0.8 mi 9.4
Glade Spring Middle Glade Spring 7.0 mi 7.0
Patrick Henry High Glade Spring 7.7 mi 7.7
Chilhowie Middle Chilhowie 7.1 mi 8.6
Chilhowie High Chilhowie 7.2 mi 6.4
Chilhowie Elementary Chilhowie 7.3 mi 8.8
MAIN STREET SCHOOL Cedar Bluff 9.2 mi 6.9
Belfast Elementary Rosedale 9.0 mi 7.9
Rich Valley Elementary Saltville 8.2 mi 8.6
Northwood Middle Saltville 8.3 mi 6.7
Meadowview Elementary Meadowview 10.3 mi 7.2
FAITH ACADEMY Cedar Bluff 12.5 mi 4.9
Oak Point Elementary Marion 10.5 mi 5.1
Rhea Valley Elementary Meadowview 13.8 mi 5.9
Cedar Bluff Elementary Cedar Bluff 14.4 mi 5.9
Richlands High Richlands 14.8 mi 7.4
Richlands Elementary Richlands 15.0 mi 6.5
Richlands Middle Richlands 15.0 mi 6.3
Swords Creek Elementary Swords Creek 14.2 mi 3.4
Holston High Damascus 15.6 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24370 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,309

Median Home Value

$100,700

Median Rent

$597/mo

Population

5,740

College Educated

18.8%

Homeownership

76.9%

Avg Commute

29.9 min

Poverty Rate

20.5%

Median Age

43.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Northwood High has a median household income of $49,309. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $100,700, with a median rent of $597/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 30 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
CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL Christchurch, VA 7.5
TANDEM FRIENDS SCHOOL Charlottesville, VA 7.5
Bryant High Alexandria, VA 7.4
Sussex Central High Stony Creek, VA 7.4
THE NEW COMMUNITY SCHOOL Richmond, VA 7.6
CHATHAM HALL Chatham, VA 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northwood High

What grades does Northwood High serve?

Northwood High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Northwood High?

Northwood High has an enrollment of approximately 230 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwood High?

The student-teacher ratio at Northwood High is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northwood High rank in VA?

Northwood High is ranked #460 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Northwood High's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwood 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 Northwood High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwood High has 84.7% math proficiency and 85.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Northwood High a charter school?

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

Is Northwood High a Title I school?

No, Northwood High is not currently a Title I school.

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

100.9% of students at Northwood 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
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (510/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Saltville). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
230
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Smyth County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Smyth County Public Schools
District Enrollment
3,892
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,196
District Rank
#9 of 13

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.