Best Public Schools in Atkins, VA

Atkins, Virginia is home to a single school, Atkins Elementary, a PK-5 elementary school within Smyth County Public Schools, which is itself a top-ranked district at the 87th percentile statewide. Atkins Elementary serves 168 students and stands out for several reasons: nearly all students (99.4%) are economically disadvantaged, the student-teacher ratio is a low 9.7 to 1, and chronic absenteeism runs at 19.9% — above the district’s 17.0% and the state’s 14.8%. The school’s state ranking has fluctuated significantly in recent years, from the 38th percentile in 2023-2024, up to the 55th in 2024-2025, then down to the 48th in 2025-2026, leaving it as a mid-tier elementary school with notable year-to-year volatility.

Academically, Atkins shows a mix of strengths and weaknesses relative to its district and state. In 2024-2025, the school outperformed the state in math, reading, science, and Virginia Studies, and even beat its district in reading with a 78.5% proficiency rate — about 8 points above the state average. However, in 2025-2026, while still beating the state in reading, science, and VA Studies, it fell below the district in every subject. Math proficiency dropped from 75.2% to 70.7%, and reading from 78.5% to 73.5%. The most concerning recent results include 4th grade math at 65.4% proficiency (well below the district’s 79.9%), 3rd grade reading at 64.0% (below the district’s 76.2%), and 5th grade math at 66.7% (below the district’s 82.8%). The 2024-2025 VA Studies score of 59.1% was a clear outlier, though it rebounded to 76.0% the following year.

With only around 25 students per grade, small cohorts drive large swings in school-wide results — for example, 5th grade math fell from 82.6% to 66.7% in one year, while 3rd grade math improved from 68% to 80%. Given that Atkins is the only school in the city, students leave after 5th grade to continue elsewhere in the county, making these elementary years critical. The school benefits from relatively strong resources, including a low student-teacher ratio and per-student spending of $10,733, yet high poverty and absenteeism likely offset some of those advantages. The clearest path forward is reducing chronic absenteeism, stabilizing grade-level performance, and targeting interventions in math and early reading to help this high-poverty school reach its potential.