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
Enrollment
568
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Watauga Elementary — Students at Watauga Elementary score 93% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.4%
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: 7.5/10.
How Watauga Elementary Compares
See how Watauga Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 98% (2019) to 92% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 94% (2019) to 94% (2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (276) 739-3600
- 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
- #6 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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