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#170 of 280 schools in VT

Bellows Falls Union High School

High School · Bellows Falls Union High School District #27

P.O. Box 429, Bellows Falls, VT 05158

Enrollment

329

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

5.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bellows Falls

#2 of 3

public schools

Vermont high schools

#26 of 46

Academic growth

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Bellows Falls Union High School

Bellows Falls Union High School is a regular public high school located in the rural town of Bellows Falls, Vermont. The school serves students from ninth to twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 329 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.6:1. This ratio allows for more personalized attention, which can be particularly beneficial as the academic performance shows room for improvement according to state standards.

Bellows Falls Union High School ranks 50th percentile in Vermont, placing it at number 140 out of 280 high schools statewide. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.5/10 and its Academic Score is 4.8/10. In terms of proficiency rates, only 41% of students are considered proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while the math proficiency rate stands at 26%.

Despite these challenges, Bellows Falls Union High School continues to focus on student development and community engagement. The school's setting in a rural area near town provides a unique blend of natural surroundings and small-town charm, offering students a close-knit environment that supports personal growth and academic exploration. Bellows Falls Union High School is situated in an area where the tight-knit community plays a significant role in supporting both the school and its students.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Bellows Falls Union High School 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+2.5 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendImproving
Academics6.8Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected+4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College Readiness3.5Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation5.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,468

Bellows Falls Union High School — Students at Bellows Falls Union High School score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 25.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 40.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from VT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2021*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%

* 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: 8.2/10.

How Bellows Falls Union High School Compares

See how Bellows Falls Union High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
40th percentile in VT
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
8.2/10
Above average
Environment
5.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

Location

P.O. Box 429, Bellows Falls, VT 05158

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bellows Falls Union High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. VERMONT ACADEMY (rated 8.0/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Saxtons River), which scores notably higher. Another option is COMPASS SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 0.4 miles away, in nearby Westminster), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Fall Mountain Regional High School (rated 5.7/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Langdon), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bellows Falls, see our Bellows Falls schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.1 mi
School Distance Rating
COMPASS SCHOOL Westminster 0.4 mi 6.7
Bellows Falls Middle School Bellows Falls 1.0 mi 4.2
Central Elementary School Bellows Falls 1.0 mi 7.1
North Walpole School North Walpole 1.7 mi 8.6
Walpole Primary School Walpole 2.3 mi 6.8
Walpole Elementary School Walpole 2.4 mi 7.0
Westminster Schools Westminster 3.5 mi 8.1
Fall Mountain Regional High School Langdon 3.4 mi 5.7
Fall Mountain Regional -Pre School Program Langdon 3.4 mi
KURN HATTIN HOMES FOR CHILDREN Westminster 4.0 mi 7.2
KURN HATTIN HOMES Westminster 4.0 mi 6.9
VERMONT ACADEMY Saxtons River 3.6 mi 8.0
Saxton River Elementary School Saxtons River 3.6 mi 4.3
Sarah Porter School Langdon 4.6 mi
Alstead Primary School Alstead 4.9 mi 6.2
Vilas Elementary School Alstead 5.0 mi 7.0
Charlestown Primary School Charlestown 7.7 mi 7.6
Charlestown Middle School Charlestown 7.9 mi 6.0
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL Putney 9.4 mi 5.5
Putney Central School Putney 10.1 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 05158 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,778

Median Home Value

$223,800

Median Rent

$915/mo

Population

1,214

College Educated

26.4%

Homeownership

93.1%

Poverty Rate

7.6%

Median Age

41.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bellows Falls Union High School has a median household income of $97,778. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $223,800, with a median rent of $915/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Green Mountain Union High School Chester, VT 6.0
Northfield Middle/High School Northfield, VT 5.8
LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL Brattleboro, VT 5.6
Arlington Memorial Arlington, VT 5.5
White River Valley High School South Royalton, VT 6.4
Leland & Gray Union Middle & High School Townshend, VT 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bellows Falls Union High School

What grades does Bellows Falls Union High School serve?

Bellows Falls Union High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Bellows Falls Union High School?

Bellows Falls Union High School has an enrollment of approximately 329 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bellows Falls Union High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Bellows Falls Union High School is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bellows Falls Union High School rank in VT?

Bellows Falls Union High School is ranked #170 out of 280 schools in VT.

What is Bellows Falls Union High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bellows Falls Union High School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Bellows Falls Union High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bellows Falls Union High School has 25.8% math proficiency and 40.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bellows Falls Union High School a charter school?

No, Bellows Falls Union High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bellows Falls Union High School a Title I school?

No, Bellows Falls Union High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bellows Falls Union High School?

65.3% of students at Bellows Falls Union High School 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

City Safety
Elevated (941/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
329
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Windham County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bellows Falls Union High School District #27
District Enrollment
330
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,182
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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