Excellent
#114 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 6% in state
Valley Institute Elementary
Elementary School · Washington County Public Schools
4350 Gate City Hwy, Bristol, VA 24202
Enrollment
270
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
270
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bristol
#1 of 10
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#56 of 1,147
In district
#1 of 15
Washington County Public Schools
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Valley Institute Elementary
Valley Institute Elementary is a public elementary school in Bristol, VA, part of the Washington County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 270 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 93.9th percentile among VA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 77% proficiency in math, 4 points above the state average and 81% in reading/language arts, 9 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $58,333, where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Valley Institute 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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Valley Institute Elementary — Students at Valley Institute Elementary score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.6%
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: 9.1/10.
How Valley Institute Elementary Compares
See how Valley Institute Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 81% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 77% (2019) to 86% (2025).
Location
4350 Gate City Hwy, Bristol, VA 24202
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Valley Institute Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Central Heights Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Blountville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Anderson Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 5.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Fairmount Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 6.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bristol, see our Bristol schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Stonewall Jackson Elementary Bristol | 4.3 mi | 2.9 |
| MORRISON SCHOOL Bristol | 4.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Virginia Middle Bristol | 5.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Virginia High Bristol | 5.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Anderson Elementary Bristol | 5.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Washington-Lee Elementary Bristol | 5.4 mi | 3.1 |
| ST ANNES SCHOOL Bristol | 5.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Tennessee Online Public School Bristol | 5.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Tennessee Online Public School at Bristol Bristol | 5.8 mi | — |
| Avoca Elementary Bristol | 7.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Tennessee High School Bristol | 6.0 mi | 6.4 |
| MINNICK SCHOOL - BRISTOL Bristol | 5.8 mi | — |
| Central Heights Elementary Blountville | 6.1 mi | 9.3 |
| Haynesfield Elementary Bristol | 6.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Bristol Tennessee Middle School Bristol | 6.1 mi | 5.9 |
| TENNESSEE AVENUE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bristol | 6.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Highland View Elementary Bristol | 6.2 mi | 3.2 |
| Fairmount Elementary Bristol | 6.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Joseph Van Pelt Elementary Bristol | 7.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Holston View Elementary Bristol | 8.0 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24202 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,333
Median Home Value
$195,200
Median Rent
$850/mo
Population
12,324
College Educated
20.4%
Homeownership
83.4%
Avg Commute
24.3 min
Poverty Rate
12.8%
Median Age
47.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Valley Institute Elementary has a median household income of $58,333. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $195,200, with a median rent of $850/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.8%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Forest Hills Elementary Danville, VA | 8.6 |
| Troutville Elementary Troutville, VA | 8.6 |
| Back Creek Elementary Roanoke, VA | 8.5 |
| Bonsack Elementary Roanoke, VA | 8.7 |
| Carrsville Elementary Carrsville, VA | 8.7 |
| Frederick Douglass Elementary Winchester, VA | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Valley Institute Elementary
What grades does Valley Institute Elementary serve?
Valley Institute Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Valley Institute Elementary?
Valley Institute Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 270 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley Institute Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Valley Institute 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 Valley Institute Elementary rank in VA?
Valley Institute Elementary is ranked #114 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Valley Institute Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Valley Institute Elementary has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Valley Institute Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Valley Institute Elementary has 77.0% math proficiency and 80.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Valley Institute Elementary a charter school?
No, Valley Institute Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Valley Institute Elementary a Title I school?
No, Valley Institute Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Valley Institute Elementary?
75.6% of students at Valley Institute 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 (Bristol). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 270
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Washington County
- Phone
- (276) 642-5500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Washington County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 6,705
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,125
- District Rank
- #1 of 15
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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