Summary:
Willis, Virginia, is served by a single school — Willis Elementary — a PK-7 elementary school of 163 students within Floyd County Public Schools, a district ranked 57th out of 131 in Virginia. With nearly 80% of students eligible for free/reduced lunch, the school serves a high-poverty community, yet it stands out for exceptionally low chronic absenteeism at 9.7%, far below the district's 15.7% and the state's 14.8%.
As the only school in the city, Willis Elementary's performance is best understood through its grade-level trends. The 2024-2025 5th grade class was a bright spot, posting 93.75% proficiency in math and 87.5% in reading — well above state averages. In 2025-2026, 6th grade reading led with 81.82% proficiency, and 4th grade reading reached 78.26%. Science has been consistently competitive, with 5th grade science exceeding the district both years. However, 7th grade is a weak spot: math proficiency sat at 50% and civics at 50% in 2025-2026, below district and state levels. The school improved its state rank from the 34th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 41st percentile in both subsequent years, though it remains at a 2-star rating.
The biggest takeaway for parents is the volatility inherent in a small school. With only 163 students across eight grades, a single cohort can swing results dramatically — 5th grade math dropped from 93.75% to 68.42% year over year. Overall, Willis Elementary averages roughly 66% proficiency across subjects, slightly below the state average of about 69%, but near the district. The school's greatest success story is attendance: a high-poverty school getting children to class far more consistently than the state average, which is a strong foundation for learning. For families in Willis, this is a school with genuine strengths in the middle grades and science, but one to watch closely as students approach the 7th grade transition.
Thank you for your feedback!