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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.58 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.9Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency96%
Reading/ELA Proficiency98%
Math vs. State Avg+20.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+22.3 pts
Overall Proficiency97%
Expected (poverty-adj.)73%
vs. Expected+24.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile99th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,353

Rural Retreat High — Students at Rural Retreat High score 97% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 85.0%
School
State
75.4%
ELA Proficiency 90.7%
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
87%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
87%
2025
Math
96%
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: 9.7/10.

How Rural Retreat High Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
85th percentile in VA
Academic
9.9/10
9.9/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
5.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
18 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (328/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wythe County Public Schools
District Enrollment
3,801
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,467
District Rank
#2 of 12

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

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