Excellent
#239 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 13% in state
Wise Primary
Elementary School · Wise County Public Schools
PO Box 947, Wise, VA 24293
Enrollment
616
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
616
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wise
#2 of 2
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#119 of 1,147
In district
#5 of 11
Wise County Public Schools
Equity
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Wise Primary
Wise Primary serves 616 students from prekindergarten through fourth grade in Wise, Virginia, earning recognition as one of the state's stronger elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranking 268th among Virginia's 1,856 elementary schools, the school places in the 86th percentile statewide. The school demonstrates solid academic achievement, with 86% of students performing proficiently or above in English Language Arts and 85% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics.
These results reflect the dedicated work of 44 full-time equivalent teachers who maintain a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. Wise Primary operates as a regular public school in Wise County, serving families in a community where the median household income is $48,591 and median home values average $114,600. The school draws from a diverse socioeconomic population, with about 22% of area residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a local poverty rate of 21.8%.
The school sits in the town of Wise, part of a ZIP code area home to nearly 10,000 residents in the heart of Virginia's Appalachian region, where the school plays an important role in providing quality early elementary education to the local community.
Score Breakdown
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Wise Primary — Students at Wise Primary score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
85.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 10 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: 8.9/10.
How Wise Primary Compares
See how Wise Primary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 90% (2019) to 88% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 84% (2019) to 89% (2025).
Location
PO Box 947, Wise, VA 24293
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Wise Primary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. J.W. Adams Combined (rated 8.0/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Pound), with a very similar rating. Another option is Coeburn Primary (rated 7.9/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Coeburn), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Union Primary (rated 7.2/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Big Stone Gap), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Wise, see our Wise schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| L.F. Addington Middle Wise | 0.1 mi | 8.5 |
| MINNICK EDUCATION CENTER - WISE Wise | 0.6 mi | — |
| Central High Norton | 1.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Norton Elementary Norton | 3.4 mi | 5.4 |
| J.I. Burton High Norton | 4.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Coeburn Primary Coeburn | 6.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Coeburn Middle Coeburn | 6.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Eastside High Coeburn | 6.3 mi | 6.8 |
| J.W. Adams Combined Pound | 9.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Dungannon Elementary School Dungannon | 11.6 mi | 2.5 |
| Union Middle Big Stone Gap | 10.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Union Primary Big Stone Gap | 10.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Union High Big Stone Gap | 11.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Jenkins Independent School Jenkins | 13.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Twin Springs High Nickelsville | 14.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Clintwood Elementary Clintwood | 14.7 mi | 3.5 |
| Arlie Boggs Elementary School Eolia | 13.4 mi | 3.7 |
| Martha Jane Potter Elementary School Whitesburg | 15.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Ridgeview High Clintwood | 15.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Ridgeview Middle Clintwood | 15.2 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24293 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,970
Median Home Value
$119,500
Median Rent
$801/mo
Population
9,622
College Educated
22.4%
Homeownership
77.6%
Avg Commute
21.9 min
Poverty Rate
15.2%
Median Age
38.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Wise Primary has a median household income of $53,970. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $119,500, with a median rent of $801/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Cherry Run Elementary Burke, VA | 8.1 |
| Hunters Woods Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences Reston, VA | 8.1 |
| Kings Park Elementary Springfield, VA | 8.1 |
| Oak Hill Elementary Herndon, VA | 8.1 |
| Penn Forest Elementary Roanoke, VA | 8.1 |
| Wolftrap Elementary Vienna, VA | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Wise Primary
What grades does Wise Primary serve?
Wise Primary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Wise Primary?
Wise Primary has an enrollment of approximately 616 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Wise Primary?
The student-teacher ratio at Wise Primary is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Wise Primary rank in VA?
Wise Primary is ranked #239 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Wise Primary's MySchoolScout rating?
Wise Primary has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Wise Primary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wise Primary has 85.4% math proficiency and 85.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Wise Primary a charter school?
No, Wise Primary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Wise Primary a Title I school?
No, Wise Primary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wise Primary?
85.9% of students at Wise Primary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wise). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 616
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 85.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Wise County
- Phone
- (276) 328-8019
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wise County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,883
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,973
- District Rank
- #5 of 11
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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