Excellent
#273 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 15% in state
Rural Retreat High
High School · Wythe County Public Schools
321 E Buck St, Rural Retreat, VA 24368
Enrollment
310
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
8.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
310
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
8.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rural Retreat
#1 of 3
public schools
Virginia high schools
#65 of 323
In district
#2 of 12
Wythe County Public Schools
Academic performance
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Rural Retreat High
Rural Retreat High serves 310 students in grades 9-12 in the small community of Rural Retreat, Virginia, earning an exceptional MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10. This high-performing public school ranks #63 out of 1,856 schools statewide, placing it in the 97th percentile among Virginia high schools. The school demonstrates outstanding academic achievement with a perfect 10.0 academic score.
Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 91% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 85% achieve proficiency or above in mathematics. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, Rural Retreat High maintains a favorable 13.5-to-1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more personalized attention and support. The school draws from a rural community where the median household income is $64,000 and median home values average $151,000.
While 21% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the school's remarkable academic performance demonstrates its effectiveness in preparing students for post-secondary success regardless of local educational attainment levels. Rural Retreat High stands as an educational beacon in Wythe County's rural landscape, serving families in a close-knit community of just over 5,000 residents who value educational excellence.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Rural Retreat 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Rural Retreat High — Students at Rural Retreat High score 97% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.7/10.
How Rural Retreat High Compares
See how Rural Retreat High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 92% (2019) to 96% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 87% (2019) to 98% (2025).
Location
321 E Buck St, Rural Retreat, VA 24368
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rural Retreat High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. OAK HILL ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 20.8 miles away, in nearby Mouth Of Wilson), with a very similar rating. Another option is Marion Senior High (rated 7.7/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Marion), with a very similar rating. Additionally, George Wythe High (rated 6.8/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Wytheville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Rural Retreat, see our Rural Retreat schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Retreat Middle Rural Retreat | 0.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Rural Retreat Elementary Rural Retreat | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Speedwell Elementary Wytheville | 7.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Atkins Elementary Atkins | 8.5 mi | 8.2 |
| George Wythe High Wytheville | 9.8 mi | 6.8 |
| MINNICK SCHOOL - WYTHEVILLE CAMPUS Wytheville | 9.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Sugar Grove Elementary Sugar Grove | 11.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Spiller Elementary Wytheville | 10.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Scott Memorial Middle Wytheville | 11.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Marion Elementary Marion | 13.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Marion Senior High Marion | 13.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Marion Middle Marion | 14.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Bland County Elementary Bland | 16.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Sheffey Elementary Wytheville | 15.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Grayson Highlands Troutdale | 18.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Grayson County High Independence | 20.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Independence Middle Independence | 20.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Independence Elementary Independence | 20.2 mi | 4.2 |
| OAK HILL ACADEMY Mouth Of Wilson | 20.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Tazewell Middle Tazewell | 20.1 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 High 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 |
|---|---|
| Galax High Galax, VA | 8.0 |
| FORK UNION MILITARY ACADEMY Fork Union, VA | 7.9 |
| PENINSULA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Newport News, VA | 7.9 |
| Holston High Damascus, VA | 8.2 |
| Middlesex High Saluda, VA | 7.8 |
| THE MADEIRA SCHOOL Mclean, VA | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rural Retreat High
What grades does Rural Retreat High serve?
Rural Retreat High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Rural Retreat High?
Rural Retreat High has an enrollment of approximately 310 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rural Retreat High?
The student-teacher ratio at Rural Retreat High is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rural Retreat High rank in VA?
Rural Retreat High is ranked #273 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Rural Retreat High's MySchoolScout rating?
Rural Retreat High has a composite rating of 8.0 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 High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rural Retreat High has 85.0% math proficiency and 90.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Rural Retreat High a charter school?
No, Rural Retreat High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rural Retreat High a Title I school?
No, Rural Retreat High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rural Retreat High?
76.1% of students at Rural Retreat 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 310
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 76.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Wythe County
- Phone
- (276) 686-4143
- 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
- #2 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
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.