Best Public Schools in Virginia

Top 50 schools ranked by resource quality score. Based on student-teacher ratio, counselor access, gifted programs & attendance. NCES CCD 2022-23.

82/100
Top Score
R.I.S.E Academy at the John M. Langston Campus
68/100
Avg Score (Top 50)
50
Schools Ranked
VA
State
# School Score Grade
1. R.I.S.E Academy at the John M. Langston Campus Danville 82 A-
2. W.O. Robey High Sterling 77 B+
3. Temperance Elementary Amherst 76 B+
4. Dungannon Elementary School Dungannon 75 B+
5. Mary Ellen Henderson Middle Falls Church 73 B
6. Francis C. Hammond Middle Alexandria 72 B
7. Dearington Elementary/Innovation Lynchburg 72 B
8. Lincoln Elementary Purcellville 70 B
9. Lylburn Downing Middle Lexington 69 B-
10. Community Lab School Charlottesville 69 B-
11. Mount Airy Elementary Gretna 69 B-
12. Dorothy Hamm Middle Arlington 68 B-
13. Meriwether Lewis Elementary Charlottesville 68 B-
14. Pemberton Elementary Richmond 68 B-
15. Richmond Community High Richmond 68 B-
16. Forest Hills Elementary Danville 68 B-
17. Union Hall Elementary Chatham 68 B-
18. Open High Richmond 68 B-
19. Central Academy Middle Fincastle 67 B-
20. Scottsville Elementary Scottsville 67 B-
21. Sandston Elementary Sandston 67 B-
22. Henry Elementary Henry 67 B-
23. Northwood Middle Saltville 67 B-
24. Craigsville Elementary Craigsville 67 B-
25. Highland Elementary Monterey 67 B-
26. George Washington Middle Alexandria 66 B-
27. Jefferson Middle Arlington 66 B-
28. Williamsburg Middle Arlington 66 B-
29. Journey Middle Charlottesville 66 B-
30. Jamestown Elementary Arlington 66 B-
31. Warrenton Middle Warrenton 66 B-
32. Callaway Elementary Callaway 66 B-
33. Otter River Elementary Goode 66 B-
34. Aldie Elementary Aldie 66 B-
35. Gunston Middle Arlington 65 B-
36. Swanson Middle Arlington 65 B-
37. Meridian High Falls Church 65 B-
38. Lakeside Middle Charlottesville 65 B-
39. Jackson P. Burley Middle Charlottesville 65 B-
40. Taylor Elementary Arlington 65 B-
41. Stony Point Elementary Keswick 65 B-
42. Yuma Elementary Gate City 65 B-
43. Hilton Elementary Hiltons 65 B-
44. Elydale Middle Ewing 65 B-
45. Kenmore Middle Arlington 64 C+
46. Colonial Heights High Colonial Heights 64 C+
47. Joseph T. Henley Middle Crozet 64 C+
48. Cardinal Elementary Arlington 64 C+
49. Bayside 6th Grade Campus Virginia Beach 64 C+
50. Nickelsville Elementary Nickelsville 64 C+

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best public schools in Virginia? ▼

The top-rated school in Virginia is R.I.S.E Academy at the John M. Langston Campus in Danville with a quality score of 82/100 (grade A-). Rankings are based on student-teacher ratio, counselor availability, gifted programs, and attendance rates from NCES data.

How are school quality scores calculated? ▼

Quality scores (0-100) are computed from NCES data across 4 metrics: student-teacher ratio (lower is better, national avg ~16:1), counselor availability (ASCA recommends 250:1), gifted program availability, and chronic absenteeism rate (lower is better). This measures school resources, not test scores.

Explore More for Virginia

All Schools → Largest Schools → Absenteeism Data → Highest Spending → National Ranking →

Methodology

Quality scores (0-100) are computed from NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2022-23 metrics: student-teacher ratio, school counselor availability, gifted program access, and chronic absenteeism rates. Schools must have at least 50 students and data for one or more metrics. This measures resource quality, not test scores. Higher scores indicate smaller class sizes, better counselor access, and lower absenteeism.

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.