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Excellent

#158 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 9% in state

Northwood High

High School · Smyth County Public Schools

PO Box Y, Saltville, VA 24370

Enrollment

230

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

8.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#158 of 1,851

In Saltville

#2 of 4

public schools

In district

#3 of 13

Smyth County Public Schools

Academic performance

10.0 / 10

Excellent

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Northwood High

8.6/10

High School in Saltville · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Saltville Elementary

9.4/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Glade Spring Middle

7.9/10

7.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Northwood High

Northwood High is a public high school in Saltville, VA, part of Smyth County Public Schools. Northwood High serves approximately 230 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwood High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #158 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Northwood High show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 88% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 8.6 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.9
  • VA avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

Northwood 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 metrics
Student Progress9.8Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+0.33 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics10.0Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency95% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency98% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg+19.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+22.3 pts
Overall Proficiency97% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)63% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+33.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile99th
College Readiness6.5Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%+
AP Participation7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,196
Chronic Absenteeism13.5%

Northwood High — Students at Northwood High score 96% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

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 73.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.4% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 88.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.7% (2025 SOL)

Based on 27 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
97.5%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
97.5%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
95%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
92%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
87%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2017
ELA
97.5%
2018
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2019
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2020*
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
95%
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: 9.8/10.

How Northwood High Compares

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

Overall Score
8.6/10
92th percentile in VA
Academic
10.0/10
Excellent
Growth
9.8/10
Excellent
Environment
8.3/10
Excellent
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.9
Sports
12
6 boys' · 6 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
101%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
7% participation·State avg: 2.9 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics12sports offered
6 boys'·6 girls'·17 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.6/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Damascus), with a very similar rating. Another option is Patrick Henry High (rated 8.3/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Glade Spring), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Chilhowie High (rated 7.5/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Chilhowie), a more accessible option. 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 7.9
Patrick Henry High Glade Spring 7.7 mi 8.3
Chilhowie Middle Chilhowie 7.1 mi 8.3
Chilhowie High Chilhowie 7.2 mi 7.5
Chilhowie Elementary Chilhowie 7.3 mi 7.8
MAIN STREET SCHOOL Cedar Bluff 9.2 mi 6.9
Belfast Elementary Rosedale 9.0 mi 8.4
Rich Valley Elementary Saltville 8.2 mi 8.2
Northwood Middle Saltville 8.3 mi 7.7
Meadowview Elementary Meadowview 10.3 mi 8.5
FAITH ACADEMY Cedar Bluff 12.5 mi 4.9
Oak Point Elementary Marion 10.5 mi 5.6
Rhea Valley Elementary Meadowview 13.8 mi 7.5
Cedar Bluff Elementary Cedar Bluff 14.4 mi 7.2
Richlands High Richlands 14.8 mi 7.5
Richlands Elementary Richlands 15.0 mi 8.2
Richlands Middle Richlands 15.0 mi 6.8
Swords Creek Elementary Swords Creek 14.2 mi 6.9
Holston High Damascus 15.6 mi 8.6

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Holston High Damascus, VA 8.6
RANDOLPH-MACON ACADEMY Front Royal, VA 8.6
J.I. Burton High Norton, VA 8.4
Community Lab School Charlottesville, VA 9.0
FOXCROFT SCHOOL Middleburg, VA 8.2
Rural Retreat High Rural Retreat, VA 9.0

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 ranks #158 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Northwood High's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwood High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 Northwood High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwood High has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 88% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.5%
4-Year Graduation
95%+

District

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

How we rate schools

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