Very Good
#468 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 25% in state
Rural Retreat Elementary
Elementary School · Wythe County Public Schools
100 Martha Debord Way, Rural Retreat, VA 24368
Enrollment
361
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
361
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rural Retreat
#2 of 3
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#261 of 1,147
In district
#3 of 12
Wythe County Public Schools
Equity
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Rural Retreat Elementary
Rural Retreat Elementary serves 361 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in the close-knit community of Rural Retreat, Virginia. With 26 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 13.9-to-1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.6 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #324 out of 1,856 Virginia elementary schools, placing it in the 83rd percentile statewide.
Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 89% achieving proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and reading, while an impressive 90% reach proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence and effective teaching practices. Rural Retreat Elementary is situated in Wythe County's 24368 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $64,000 and median home values average $151,000.
The surrounding community of approximately 5,079 residents shows a 15.5% poverty rate, with 21% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The school operates in Virginia's rural landscape, providing students with a small-town educational experience that combines strong academic outcomes with the benefits of a tight-knit community atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Rural Retreat Elementary 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
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Rural Retreat Elementary — Students at Rural Retreat Elementary score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.3/10.
How Rural Retreat Elementary Compares
See how Rural Retreat Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 97.5% (2019) to 91% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 92% (2019) to 90% (2025).
Location
100 Martha Debord Way, Rural Retreat, VA 24368
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rural Retreat Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sugar Grove Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Sugar Grove), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Atkins Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Atkins), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Marion Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Marion), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Rural Retreat, see our Rural Retreat schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Retreat High Rural Retreat | 0.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Rural Retreat Middle Rural Retreat | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Speedwell Elementary Wytheville | 8.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Atkins Elementary Atkins | 9.0 mi | 8.2 |
| George Wythe High Wytheville | 9.3 mi | 6.8 |
| MINNICK SCHOOL - WYTHEVILLE CAMPUS Wytheville | 9.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Spiller Elementary Wytheville | 10.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Scott Memorial Middle Wytheville | 11.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Sugar Grove Elementary Sugar Grove | 12.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Marion Elementary Marion | 13.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Bland County Elementary Bland | 15.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Marion Senior High Marion | 14.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Marion Middle Marion | 14.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Sheffey Elementary Wytheville | 15.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Grayson Highlands Troutdale | 19.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Grayson County High Independence | 20.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Independence Middle Independence | 20.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Independence Elementary Independence | 20.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Tazewell Middle Tazewell | 19.6 mi | 6.6 |
| MAIN STREET SCHOOL North Tazwell | 19.9 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24368 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,234
Median Home Value
$163,200
Median Rent
$725/mo
Population
5,372
College Educated
23.5%
Homeownership
87.2%
Avg Commute
24.2 min
Poverty Rate
15.6%
Median Age
38.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Rural Retreat Elementary has a median household income of $66,234. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $163,200, with a median rent of $725/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.6%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| A.S. Rhodes Elementary Front Royal, VA | 7.5 |
| A.W.E. Bassette Elementary Hampton, VA | 7.5 |
| Achilles Elementary Hayes, VA | 7.5 |
| Bethel Elementary Gloucester, VA | 7.5 |
| CONGRESSIONAL SCHOOL Falls Church, VA | 7.5 |
| College Park Elementary Virginia Beach, VA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rural Retreat Elementary
What grades does Rural Retreat Elementary serve?
Rural Retreat Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Rural Retreat Elementary?
Rural Retreat Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 361 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rural Retreat Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Rural Retreat Elementary is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rural Retreat Elementary rank in VA?
Rural Retreat Elementary is ranked #468 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Rural Retreat Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Rural Retreat Elementary 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 Rural Retreat Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rural Retreat Elementary has 89.6% math proficiency and 89.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Rural Retreat Elementary a charter school?
No, Rural Retreat Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rural Retreat Elementary a Title I school?
No, Rural Retreat Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rural Retreat Elementary?
77.3% of students at Rural Retreat 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rural Retreat). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 361
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 77.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Wythe County
- Phone
- (276) 686-4125
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wythe County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,801
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,467
- District Rank
- #3 of 12
Other Schools in This District
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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