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Excellent

#280 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 15% in state

Rich Valley Elementary

Elementary School · Smyth County Public Schools

196 Long Hollow Rd, Saltville, VA 24370

Enrollment

129

Student-Teacher

12.9:1

Score

8.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#280 of 1,851

In Saltville

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#6 of 13

Smyth County Public Schools

Equity

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Rich Valley Elementary

8.2/10

Elementary School in Saltville · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Northwood Middle

7.7/10

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

Oak Point Elementary

5.6/10

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

About Rich Valley Elementary

Rich Valley Elementary is a public elementary school in Saltville, VA, part of Smyth County Public Schools. Rich Valley Elementary serves approximately 129 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Rich Valley Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #280 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Rich Valley Elementary show 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 8.2 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.8
  • VA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 129 students, Rich Valley Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Rich Valley Elementary 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.58 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency87% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency89% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg+13.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.3 pts
Overall Proficiency88% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)63% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+24.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,196
Chronic Absenteeism12.4%

Rich Valley Elementary — Students at Rich Valley Elementary score 88% 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%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 81.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.5% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 83.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.2% (2025 SOL)

Based on 33 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
92%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2015
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2016
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2017
ELA
87%
2018
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2019
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
86.8%
ELA
88.5%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How Rich Valley Elementary Compares

See how Rich Valley Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.2/10
85th percentile in VA
Academic
9.4/10
Excellent
Growth
7.4/10
Very Good
Environment
8.4/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.4%

Programs & Offerings

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

196 Long Hollow Rd, Saltville, VA 24370

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rich Valley Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Saltville Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 7.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Atkins Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Atkins), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Richlands Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Richlands), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Saltville, see our Saltville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Northwood Middle Saltville 0.2 mi 7.7
Oak Point Elementary Marion 8.1 mi 5.6
Chilhowie Elementary Chilhowie 8.2 mi 7.8
Chilhowie High Chilhowie 8.6 mi 7.5
Chilhowie Middle Chilhowie 8.9 mi 8.3
Saltville Elementary Saltville 7.6 mi 9.4
Northwood High Saltville 8.2 mi 8.6
Marion Middle Marion 8.9 mi 6.7
Marion Senior High Marion 9.1 mi 7.6
Marion Elementary Marion 9.2 mi 6.4
MAIN STREET SCHOOL Cedar Bluff 10.8 mi 6.9
FAITH ACADEMY Cedar Bluff 11.9 mi 4.9
Cedar Bluff Elementary Cedar Bluff 13.4 mi 7.2
Glade Spring Middle Glade Spring 13.4 mi 7.9
Atkins Elementary Atkins 12.2 mi 8.2
Richlands High Richlands 14.1 mi 7.5
Tazewell Intermediate North Tazewell 15.0 mi 7.4
Richlands Middle Richlands 14.3 mi 6.8
Richlands Elementary Richlands 14.3 mi 8.2
Tazewell Primary Tazewell 15.2 mi 8.1

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
Atkins Elementary Atkins, VA 8.2
STRELITZ INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Virginia Beach, VA 8.2
Mount Airy Elementary Gretna, VA 8.1
ST ANTHONY OF PADUA SCHOOL Falls Church, VA 8.1
THE NEWTON SCHOOL Sterling, VA 8.3
THE WILLIAMS SCHOOL Norfolk, VA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rich Valley Elementary

What grades does Rich Valley Elementary serve?

Rich Valley Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Rich Valley Elementary?

Rich Valley Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 129 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rich Valley Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Rich Valley Elementary is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rich Valley Elementary rank in VA?

Rich Valley Elementary ranks #280 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Rich Valley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Rich Valley Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 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 Rich Valley Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Rich Valley Elementary has 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Rich Valley Elementary a charter school?

No, Rich Valley Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Rich Valley Elementary a Title I school?

No, Rich Valley Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rich Valley Elementary?

100.0% of students at Rich Valley Elementary 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
8 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
129
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Smyth County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.4%

District

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

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