Summary:
Staunton, Virginia is served by 9 schools spanning grades PK-12—four elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools, and one specialized alternative school—enrolling roughly 4,155 students across Staunton City Public Schools, ranked 25th in Virginia, and Augusta County Public Schools, ranked 75th.
The standout schools in this area outperform their districts considerably. Thomas C. McSwain Elementary ranks in the 80th percentile statewide with a 4-star rating despite 84.86% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, posting 5th grade math proficiency of 88.37% versus the state's 72.39% and the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the area at 7.4%. Riverheads High is the strongest secondary school, ranking in the 83rd percentile with 100% Geometry proficiency, a 92.8% graduation rate, and a 3.2% dropout rate—well below the state's 5.0%. Riverheads Middle also shines with 8th grade science proficiency of 76.74% versus the district's 65.12%.
Chronic absenteeism is the clearest concern, particularly at the secondary level: Shelburne Middle leads the area at 19.0%, followed by Riverheads High at 18.9%, while Staunton's elementary schools all sit below 8.1%. Riverheads Elementary is the weakest traditional school, trailing state averages in reading and math while carrying the highest student-teacher ratio (15.5) and lowest spending ($8,125 per student). Staunton High shows a notable weakness in World History II with just 23.81% proficiency. Advanced math is a clear strength across multiple campuses, with 100% proficiency in Geometry and Algebra I at several schools. Overall, Staunton-area schools frequently outperform state averages despite serving predominantly low-income populations, making McSwain and Riverheads High particularly compelling options for parents.
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