High Schools in Henry County Public Schools

Henry County Public Schools in Virginia serves two high schools—Magna Vista High and Bassett High—both covering grades 9–12 in a largely rural district where nearly all students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Both schools perform below Virginia state averages overall, but they are not equal: Magna Vista is the stronger current performer, ranking 281 out of 331 in 2025–26, while Bassett ranks 297 out of 331. District-wide, Henry County Public Schools ranks 91st out of 131 Virginia districts, and both schools struggle with chronic absenteeism and science proficiency.

The gap between the two schools is clearest in graduation and dropout rates. Magna Vista graduates 90.5% of its students, compared to just 81.9% at Bassett. Even more striking, Bassett’s dropout rate is 13.8%—more than three times Magna Vista’s 4.1% and nearly triple the state average of 5.0%. Bassett also saw its state ranking drop sharply from 275th in 2024–25 to 297th in 2025–26, while Magna Vista has improved steadily over the same period. In most subjects, Magna Vista outperforms Bassett—especially in VA/US History, where Magna Vista reached 34.2% proficiency versus Bassett’s 12.5%, and in 10th-grade Biology, where Magna Vista hit 38.8% versus Bassett’s 25.0%.

Both schools share some bright spots and trouble areas. Ninth-grade math is a relative strength: both exceed the state average in Algebra I, and Magna Vista is well above state in Geometry. However, proficiency drops sharply for older students taking these courses, suggesting many are retaking failed classes. Science is a systemic weakness at both schools, with 9th-grade Biology proficiency in the mid-50s—far below the state’s 86.1%. English Reading is the closest subject to the state average, with both schools scoring around 82% versus the state’s 88.1%. Chronic absenteeism affects about one in five students at each school, well above the statewide 14.8% average. For parents, the picture is clear: Magna Vista is the stronger choice academically, while Bassett needs urgent support around dropout prevention and core subject achievement.