Best Public Schools in Roanoke, VA

The city of Roanoke, Virginia, is home to 41 schools, including 28 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, and 5 high schools, spread across two school districts - Roanoke City Public Schools and Roanoke County Public Schools. The data analysis reveals significant disparities in academic performance between the two districts, with schools in Roanoke County Public Schools generally outperforming their Roanoke City counterparts.

Several schools in Roanoke County Public Schools stand out as high-performing, including Cave Spring High, Hidden Valley High, Bonsack Elementary, Penn Forest Elementary, and Green Valley Elementary. These schools consistently rank among the top in Virginia and demonstrate exceptional performance across various subject areas. In contrast, schools in Roanoke City Public Schools generally have lower proficiency rates, particularly in math, science, and English reading.

The data analysis suggests that factors such as socioeconomic status, resource allocation, and educational policies may be contributing to the performance disparities between the two school districts. Schools in Roanoke City Public Schools tend to have higher percentages of economically disadvantaged students, as indicated by their higher free and reduced lunch rates, and they also spend more per student on average. These findings underscore the importance of ensuring equitable access to high-quality education across all school districts in the Roanoke area.