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Excellent

#9 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 1% in state

Saltville Elementary

Elementary School · Smyth County Public Schools

PO Box C, Saltville, VA 24370

Enrollment

190

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

9.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Saltville

#1 of 4

public schools

Virginia elementary schools

#3 of 1,147

In district

#1 of 13

Smyth County Public Schools

Equity

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Saltville Elementary

Saltville Elementary serves 190 students in grades PK through 5 in Saltville, Virginia. With a student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1, students get consistent individual attention — a meaningful advantage in the early grades when foundational skills matter most. The academic results here are exceptional, and that label is backed by data.

Saltville Elementary holds a composite score of 9.4 out of 10, with academic and growth scores of 9.6 and 9.8 respectively. It ranks #9 out of 1,850 public schools across Virginia and stands at #3 among 1,147 elementary schools statewide — a result that places it in extremely rare company. The school outperforms 100% of Virginia public schools, meaning no comparable school in the state scores higher on overall performance.

For families in Saltville specifically, the school is the top-ranked option among the four public schools in town. These numbers reflect consistent, measurable outcomes rather than reputation alone. Parents searching for an elementary school that delivers both strong academic proficiency and high student growth will find that Saltville Elementary performs at a level that is genuinely difficult to match anywhere in Virginia.

It is a legitimate top-tier choice for the region.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 190 students, Saltville Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Saltville 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.6Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency93%
Reading/ELA Proficiency90%
Math vs. State Avg+19.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.3 pts
Overall Proficiency92%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected+24.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,836

Saltville Elementary — Students at Saltville Elementary score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 84.8%
School
State
73.5%
ELA Proficiency 83.8%
School
State
72.2%

Based on 12 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
87%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
92.5%
ELA
89.8%

* 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 Saltville Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
9.4/10
100th percentile in VA
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
101%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

PO Box C, Saltville, VA 24370

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Saltville Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Chilhowie Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Chilhowie), with a comparable rating. Another option is Rich Valley Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 7.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Belfast Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Rosedale), a more accessible option. For more schools in Saltville, see our Saltville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Northwood High Saltville 0.8 mi 7.5
Glade Spring Middle Glade Spring 7.8 mi 7.0
Chilhowie Middle Chilhowie 7.4 mi 8.6
Chilhowie High Chilhowie 7.5 mi 6.4
Chilhowie Elementary Chilhowie 7.4 mi 8.8
MAIN STREET SCHOOL Cedar Bluff 8.6 mi 6.9
Patrick Henry High Glade Spring 8.5 mi 7.7
Rich Valley Elementary Saltville 7.6 mi 8.6
Northwood Middle Saltville 7.7 mi 6.7
Belfast Elementary Rosedale 8.7 mi 7.9
FAITH ACADEMY Cedar Bluff 11.8 mi 4.9
Meadowview Elementary Meadowview 11.1 mi 7.2
Oak Point Elementary Marion 10.4 mi 5.1
Cedar Bluff Elementary Cedar Bluff 13.7 mi 5.9
Richlands High Richlands 14.2 mi 7.4
Richlands Elementary Richlands 14.3 mi 6.5
Richlands Middle Richlands 14.3 mi 6.3
Rhea Valley Elementary Meadowview 14.6 mi 5.9
Swords Creek Elementary Swords Creek 13.9 mi 3.4
Honaker Elementary Honaker 13.9 mi 5.9

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Saltville Elementary has a median household income of $49,309. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $100,700, with a median rent of $597/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Callaway Elementary Callaway, VA 9.3
Mount Airy Elementary Gretna, VA 9.3
Sharon Elementary Clifton Forge, VA 9.3
WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Alexandria, VA 9.3
Bacon District Elementary Saxe, VA 9.2
Union Hall Elementary Chatham, VA 9.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Saltville Elementary

What grades does Saltville Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Saltville Elementary?

Saltville Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 190 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Saltville Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Saltville Elementary is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Saltville Elementary rank in VA?

Saltville Elementary is ranked #9 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Saltville Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Saltville Elementary has a composite rating of 9.4 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 Saltville Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Saltville Elementary has 84.8% math proficiency and 83.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Saltville Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Saltville Elementary a Title I school?

No, Saltville Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

100.5% of students at Saltville 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
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
10 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (510/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
190
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Smyth County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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