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Best Public Schools in Harrisonburg, VA

New rankings! SchoolDigger recently updated its Virginia rankings with newly released test scores for the 2025-26 school year.

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At a glance

Schools

7,695

Students

Districts

Top rankedHarrisonburg High139^th of 331 Virginia high schools

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Biggest riser

Harrisonburg High up 116 spots statewide this year

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Smallest classes

Harrisonburg High 12.7 students per teacher

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Newly ranked this year

Rocktown High

SchoolDigger ratings

1★

0★

Compare Virginia cities →See the top-ranked Virginia schools →

Summary:

Harrisonburg, Virginia is served by 13 public schools—9 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools—across two districts: Harrisonburg City Public Schools and Rockingham County Public Schools. Harrisonburg City Public Schools ranks 122 out of 131 Virginia districts (7th percentile), while Rockingham County Public Schools ranks 68 out of 131 (48th percentile). Most HCPS schools report free/reduced lunch eligibility between 84% and 87%, reflecting a high-poverty community, while the three Rockingham County schools range from 63.8% to 74.8%.

Harrisonburg High is the area's most-improved school, climbing from the 6th percentile to the 58th percentile (139 out of 331) with 3 stars in 2025–26, including 97.6% proficiency in 9th grade Geometry and 85.4% in 11th grade Reading. But it also has the highest chronic absenteeism at 19.4%. Rocktown High ranks much lower at 301 out of 331 but posts a 94.0% graduation rate and 4.9% dropout rate—far better than Harrisonburg High's 87.9% and 9.8%. Among middle schools, Thomas Harrison Middle leads with 100% of 8th graders passing Algebra I and stronger scores than Skyline Middle in nearly every subject. Keister Elementary is the highest-ranked HCPS elementary school (27th percentile), matching or exceeding state averages in 5th grade math and science while spending the least per student at $9,800. Mountain View Elementary stands out among Rockingham County schools with 4th grade scores well above state averages.

Reading proficiency is the area's biggest systemic weakness—3rd grade reading ranges from 40.0% to 58.6% across HCPS elementary schools versus a 67.6% state average, and 12th grade reading lags badly at both high schools. Algebra acceleration is a clear strength, with both middle schools exceeding the state's 93.3% Algebra I pass rate. Chronic absenteeism varies widely: Bluestone Elementary has just 4.1% while Waterman Elementary sits at 13.0%. Per-student spending shows no clear relationship with performance. For parents, this area offers a mix of challenges and bright spots: early literacy needs attention, middle school math acceleration is impressive, and the two high schools offer different strengths—Harrisonburg High for test-based rankings and Rocktown High for keeping students on track to graduate.

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				SOL Geometry (2026)				SOL Algebra I (2026)					SOL Algebra II (2026)			SOL Mathematics (2026)						SOL Chemistry (2026)			SOL Biology (2026)				SOL Science (2026)		SOL Earth Science (2026)				SOL English Reading (2026)										SOL Civics and Economics (2026)	SOL VA Studies (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	SOL Geometry 9th Grade	SOL Geometry 10th Grade	SOL Geometry 11th Grade	SOL Geometry 12th Grade	SOL Algebra I 8th Grade	SOL Algebra I 9th Grade	SOL Algebra I 10th Grade	SOL Algebra I 11th Grade	SOL Algebra I 12th Grade	SOL Algebra II 9th Grade	SOL Algebra II 10th Grade	SOL Algebra II 11th Grade	SOL Mathematics 3rd Grade	SOL Mathematics 4th Grade	SOL Mathematics 5th Grade	SOL Mathematics 6th Grade	SOL Mathematics 7th Grade	SOL Mathematics 8th Grade	SOL Chemistry 10th Grade	SOL Chemistry 11th Grade	SOL Chemistry 12th Grade	SOL Biology 9th Grade	SOL Biology 10th Grade	SOL Biology 11th Grade	SOL Biology 12th Grade	SOL Science 5th Grade	SOL Science 8th Grade	SOL Earth Science 9th Grade	SOL Earth Science 10th Grade	SOL Earth Science 11th Grade	SOL Earth Science 12th Grade	SOL English Reading 3rd Grade	SOL English Reading 4th Grade	SOL English Reading 5th Grade	SOL English Reading 6th Grade	SOL English Reading 7th Grade	SOL English Reading 8th Grade	SOL English Reading 9th Grade	SOL English Reading 10th Grade	SOL English Reading 11th Grade	SOL English Reading 12th Grade	SOL Civics and Economics 8th Grade	SOL VA Studies 4th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Stone Spring Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1575 Peach Grove Ave	Harrisonburg	22801	Harrisonburg city	Harrisonburg City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 574-1199	554	38	14.7	84.8%	141 (25.5%)	89 (16.1%)	280 (50.5%)	13 (2.3%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (5.4%)	10.4	1026^th of 1111 public elementary schools	7.7%		7.6	1047^th of 1110 public elementary schools	5.7%	21													54.0	36.4	65.1											58.7						46.7	33.3	45.2									39.2	$10,309	$1,276	$9,034
Harrisonburg High	Public	9-12	1001 Garbers Church Road	Harrisonburg	22801	Harrisonburg city	Harrisonburg City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 433-2652	998	78	12.7	86.8%	326 (32.7%)	91 (9.1%)	520 (52.1%)	22 (2.2%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	37 (3.7%)	61.1	139^th of 331 public high schools	58.0%		37.8	255^th of 328 public high schools	22.3%	116	97.6	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	< 50%		80.4	81.8	55.6	408.0		< 50%	< 50%							≥ 50%		< 50%	95.5	90.1	79.6	78.8			389.0	403.0	382.0	< 50%								353.0	85.4	60.3			$9,958	$503	$9,455
Keister Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	100 Maryland Avenue	Harrisonburg	22801	Harrisonburg city	Harrisonburg City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 434-6585	475	32	14.8	85.1%	170 (35.8%)	47 (9.9%)	231 (48.6%)	9 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (3.8%)	32.5	816^th of 1111 public elementary schools	26.6%		33.4	794^th of 1110 public elementary schools	28.5%	22													67.1	63.6	72.8											70.4						48.2	60.0	62.5									63.6	$9,800	$1,498	$8,302
Spotswood Elementary	Public	K-5	400 Mountain View Drive	Harrisonburg	22801	Harrisonburg city	Harrisonburg City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 434-3429	468	33	14.1	83.8%	121 (25.9%)	34 (7.3%)	269 (57.5%)	8 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (7.7%)	19.7	947^th of 1111 public elementary schools	14.8%		15.3	978^th of 1110 public elementary schools	11.9%	31													62.0	63.8	55.1											52.2						58.6	66.2	47.8									49.3	$11,412	$2,079	$9,333
Waterman Elementary	Public	K-5	451 Chicago Ave	Harrisonburg	22802	Harrisonburg city	Harrisonburg City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 434-8352	557	38	14.6	87.1%	105 (18.9%)	48 (8.6%)	366 (65.7%)	9 (1.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (5.0%)	5.4	1064^th of 1111 public elementary schools	4.2%		7.4	1049^th of 1110 public elementary schools	5.5%	15													46.5	50.6	29.3											39.0						43.5	51.3	43.8									51.3	$10,139	$1,232	$8,907
Thomas Harrison Middle	Public	6-8	1311 W. Market Street	Harrisonburg	22801	Harrisonburg city	Harrisonburg City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 434-1949	771	58	13.4	86.8%	257 (33.3%)	69 (8.9%)	395 (51.2%)	17 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (4.3%)	30.1	327^th of 416 public middle schools	21.4%		26.9	340^th of 419 public middle schools	18.9%	13					100.0											59.3	59.6	42.0									58.5								54.0	54.3	57.1					60.0		$12,006	$1,238	$10,768
Smithland Elementary	Public	K-5	474 Linda Lane	Harrisonburg	22802	Harrisonburg city	Harrisonburg City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 434-6075	514	39	13.1	110.3%	112 (21.8%)	46 (8.9%)	321 (62.5%)	18 (3.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (3.1%)	16.9	973^rd of 1111 public elementary schools	12.4%		11.5	1013^th of 1110 public elementary schools	8.7%	40													51.8	58.2	64.7											63.6						40.0	54.6	57.7									37.8	$10,646	$1,165	$9,481
Skyline Middle	Public	6-8	470 Linda Lane	Harrisonburg	22802	Harrisonburg city	Harrisonburg City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 434-6862	738	58	12.7	85.6%	211 (28.6%)	83 (11.2%)	401 (54.3%)	16 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (3.7%)	22.1	360^th of 416 public middle schools	13.5%		19	375^th of 419 public middle schools	10.5%	15					98.6											42.0	43.3	39.8									56.7								44.7	44.0	56.3					65.5		$11,842	$1,176	$10,666
Bluestone Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	750 Garbers Church Road	Harrisonburg	22801	Harrisonburg city	Harrisonburg City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 432-3232	566	39	14.5	85.0%	186 (32.9%)	69 (12.2%)	263 (46.5%)	17 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (5.5%)	21	932^nd of 1111 public elementary schools	16.1%		17.9	951^st of 1110 public elementary schools	14.3%	19													75.0	56.0	55.3											67.0						47.1	53.3	58.4									45.5	$10,581	$1,153	$9,428
Rocktown High	Public	9-12	2970 East Kaylor Park Drive	Harrisonburg	22801	Harrisonburg city	Harrisonburg City Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(540) 432-3263	1,011	67	15.0	84.8%	255 (25.2%)	105 (10.4%)	568 (56.2%)	34 (3.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	49 (4.8%)	26	301^st of 331 public high schools	9.1%					(n/a)	92.7	377.0	≥ 50%	< 50%		56.2	56.7	64.0	81.8	≥ 50%	351.0	382.0							388.0	396.0	< 50%	92.3	71.8	52.0	64.4				393.0	35.7	404.0							< 50%	395.0	73.7	47.1
Pleasant Valley Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	215 Pleasant Valley Rd	Harrisonburg	22801	Harrisonburg city	Rockingham County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 434-4557	282	20	14.1	74.8%	150 (53.2%)	21 (7.4%)	90 (31.9%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (6.7%)	32.1	820^th of 1111 public elementary schools	26.2%		21.7	907^th of 1110 public elementary schools	18.3%	87													50.0	60.3	61.7											66.0						57.5	69.0	59.6									85.4	$10,797	$1,033	$9,764
Lacey Spring Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	8621 North Valley Pike	Harrisonburg	22802	Harrisonburg city	Rockingham County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 433-7819	350	23	15.0	73.1%	203 (58.0%)	10 (2.9%)	114 (32.6%)	8 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (4.3%)	22.1	926^th of 1111 public elementary schools	16.7%		19.1	938^th of 1110 public elementary schools	15.5%	12													65.5	55.7	64.8											55.6						58.2	63.3	53.7									54.1	$12,234	$499	$11,735
Mountain View Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2800 Rawley Pike	Harrisonburg	22801	Harrisonburg city	Rockingham County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 438-1965	411	30	13.7	63.7%	246 (59.9%)	18 (4.4%)	112 (27.3%)	19 (4.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (3.6%)	32.1	821^st of 1111 public elementary schools	26.1%		20.3	925^th of 1110 public elementary schools	16.7%	104													48.7	75.9	63.4											60.6						42.7	79.0	60.6									76.6	$10,146	$439	$9,706

Cities Near Harrisonburg

City	Distance	# of Schools	Statewide Rank
Dayton	4.08 mi	2	266^th
Bridgewater	5.48 mi	2	190^th
Linville	5.67 mi	1	307^th
Penn Laird	6.24 mi	4	160^th
McGaheysville	8.96 mi	1	306^th

See the top VA Virginia cities

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Virginia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.