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Excellent

#189 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 10% in state

Watauga Elementary

Elementary School · Washington County Public Schools

23181 Watauga Rd, Abingdon, VA 24211

Enrollment

568

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

8.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#189 of 1,851

In Abingdon

#2 of 5

public schools

In district

#6 of 15

Washington County Public Schools

Academic performance

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Watauga Elementary

8.5/10

Elementary School in Abingdon · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Abingdon High

6.9/10

3.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

E.b. Stanley Middle

8.9/10

3.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Watauga Elementary

Watauga Elementary is a public elementary school in Abingdon, VA, part of Washington County Public Schools. Watauga Elementary serves approximately 568 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Watauga Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #189 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Watauga Elementary show 90% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 91% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 8.5 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.2
  • VA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Watauga Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.03 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency92% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency94% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg+18.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.3 pts
Overall Proficiency93% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)70% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+22.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile96th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,125
Chronic Absenteeism14.3%

Watauga Elementary — Students at Watauga Elementary score 93% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

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 90.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.5% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 91.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.2% (2025 SOL)

Based on 33 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
97%
ELA
95%
2010
Math
97%
ELA
95%
2011
Math
78%
ELA
93%
2012
Math
83%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
96%
ELA
95%
2015
Math
93%
ELA
91%
2016
Math
94%
ELA
94%
2017
ELA
93%
2018
Math
98%
ELA
94%
2019
Math
98%
ELA
94%
2020*
Math
76%
ELA
83%
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: 9.2/10.

How Watauga Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.5/10
90th percentile in VA
Academic
9.8/10
Excellent
Growth
9.2/10
Excellent
Environment
4.6/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

23181 Watauga Rd, Abingdon, VA 24211

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Watauga Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Holston View Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Bristol), with a very similar rating. Another option is High Point Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Bristol), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Meadowview Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Meadowview), with a very similar 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 6.9
E.B. Stanley Middle Abingdon 3.6 mi 8.9
EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Abingdon 4.0 mi 3.9
Abingdon Elementary Abingdon 4.4 mi 8.3
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Abingdon 4.6 mi 8.3
Greendale Elementary Abingdon 7.4 mi 8.0
Meadowview Elementary Meadowview 7.7 mi 8.5
Rhea Valley Elementary Meadowview 7.7 mi 7.5
John S. Battle High Bristol 8.4 mi 6.4
Damascus Middle Damascus 8.7 mi 8.4
Holston High Damascus 9.1 mi 8.6
High Point Elementary Bristol 9.5 mi 8.6
Patrick Henry High Glade Spring 10.6 mi 8.3
Wallace Middle Bristol 9.8 mi 8.7
Joseph Van Pelt Elementary Bristol 10.7 mi 6.1
Holston View Elementary Bristol 12.0 mi 8.7
Glade Spring Middle Glade Spring 12.2 mi 7.9
MOUNTAIN YOUTH ACADEMY Mountain City 13.7 mi 6.7
Emmett Elementary Bristol 13.3 mi 6.5
Highland View Elementary Bristol 12.4 mi 5.9

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Archer Elementary Vienna, VA 8.5
Bethel Elementary Gloucester, VA 8.5
George W. Watkins Elementary Quinton, VA 8.5
Kingston Elementary Virginia Beach, VA 8.5
Meadowview Elementary Meadowview, VA 8.5
North Landing Elementary Virginia Beach, VA 8.5

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 ranks #189 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Watauga Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Watauga Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Watauga Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Watauga Elementary has 90% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 91% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.3%

District

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

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