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Very Good

#507 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 27% in state

Watauga Elementary

Elementary School · Washington County Public Schools

23181 Watauga Rd, Abingdon, VA 24211

Enrollment

568

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Abingdon

#2 of 5

public schools

Virginia elementary schools

#278 of 1,147

In district

#6 of 15

Washington County Public Schools

Academic performance

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Watauga Elementary

Watauga Elementary serves 568 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Abingdon, Virginia, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranking #267 out of 1,856 Virginia schools, this public elementary school places in the 86th percentile statewide. The school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement, with 92% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and reading, while 90% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics.

These strong results reflect the dedicated work of 36 full-time equivalent teachers who maintain a favorable student-teacher ratio of 15.8 to 1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. Watauga Elementary draws students from a stable community where the median household income reaches $80,952 and home values average $265,100. The neighborhood reflects an engaged population with 34% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 5%.

Located on Watauga Road in Washington County, the school sits in a rural setting near town, providing students with the benefits of both country charm and convenient access to community resources.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Watauga 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 Progress7.5Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.16 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.7Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency92%
Reading/ELA Proficiency94%
Math vs. State Avg+18.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.3 pts
Overall Proficiency93%
Expected (poverty-adj.)74%
vs. Expected+19.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile95th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.7Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,305

Watauga Elementary — Students at Watauga Elementary score 93% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 90.5%
School
State
73.5%
ELA Proficiency 92.0%
School
State
72.2%

Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
98%
ELA
94%
2021*
Math
76%
ELA
83%
2025
Math
92.3%
ELA
93.8%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How Watauga Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
73th percentile in VA
Academic
9.7/10
9.7/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
3.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

Location

23181 Watauga Rd, Abingdon, VA 24211

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Watauga Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Meadowview Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Meadowview), with a very similar rating. Another option is Holston View Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Bristol), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Abingdon Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 4.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Abingdon, see our Abingdon schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Abingdon High Abingdon 3.4 mi 6.3
E.B. Stanley Middle Abingdon 3.6 mi 8.3
EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Abingdon 4.0 mi 3.9
Abingdon Elementary Abingdon 4.4 mi 6.7
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Abingdon 4.6 mi 8.3
Greendale Elementary Abingdon 7.4 mi 6.3
Meadowview Elementary Meadowview 7.7 mi 7.2
Rhea Valley Elementary Meadowview 7.7 mi 5.9
John S. Battle High Bristol 8.4 mi 6.4
Damascus Middle Damascus 8.7 mi 6.4
Holston High Damascus 9.1 mi 8.2
High Point Elementary Bristol 9.5 mi 6.0
Patrick Henry High Glade Spring 10.6 mi 7.7
Wallace Middle Bristol 9.8 mi 7.8
Joseph Van Pelt Elementary Bristol 10.7 mi 4.9
Holston View Elementary Bristol 12.0 mi 7.0
Glade Spring Middle Glade Spring 12.2 mi 7.0
MOUNTAIN YOUTH ACADEMY Mountain City 13.7 mi 6.7
Emmett Elementary Bristol 13.3 mi 6.3
Highland View Elementary Bristol 12.4 mi 3.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24211 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,559

Median Home Value

$280,600

Median Rent

$985/mo

Population

10,341

College Educated

37%

Homeownership

83.1%

Avg Commute

24.3 min

Poverty Rate

6.9%

Median Age

49.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Watauga Elementary has a median household income of $84,559. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $280,600, with a median rent of $985/month. The local poverty rate of 6.9% is relatively low. 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
Bedford Hills Elementary Lynchburg, VA 7.4
Deer Park Elementary Centreville, VA 7.4
Deer Park Elementary Newport News, VA 7.4
Edwin W. Chittum Elementary Chesapeake, VA 7.4
Green Valley Elementary Roanoke, VA 7.4
Jordan Springs Elementary Stephenson, VA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Watauga Elementary

What grades does Watauga Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Watauga Elementary?

Watauga Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 568 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Watauga Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Watauga Elementary is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Watauga Elementary rank in VA?

Watauga Elementary is ranked #507 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Watauga Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Watauga Elementary has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Watauga Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Watauga Elementary has 90.5% math proficiency and 92.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Watauga Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Watauga Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

73.4% of students at Watauga 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
2 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,709/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
568
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Washington County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Washington County Public Schools
District Enrollment
6,705
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,125
District Rank
#6 of 15

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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