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Buffalo Gap High

Q: Is Buffalo Gap High a good school?

Buffalo Gap High ranks 136 th of 331 Virginia high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Q: How many students attend Buffalo Gap High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 410 students attended Buffalo Gap High.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Buffalo Gap High?

Students at Buffalo Gap High are 94% White, 3% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races.

Q: What schools feed into Buffalo Gap High?

Buffalo Gap High is fed by the following schools: Elementary : Churchville Elementary Elementary : Craigsville Elementary

Public Grades 9-12

136^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 331 Virginia High Schools

Better than 59% of Virginia high schools

Summary

Buffalo Gap High is a small public high school in rural Swoope, Virginia, serving 410 students in grades 9–12 as part of Augusta County Public Schools. The school has earned 4-star ratings from SchoolDigger in recent years, though its statewide ranking slipped to 136th of 331 Virginia high schools in 2025–26. That decline, however, tells only part of the story.

The school's greatest strengths are its graduation and dropout rates. At 97.3%, the graduation rate is well above the district's 93.4% and the state's 92.3%, and the dropout rate fell to just 0.8% in 2024–25—dramatically better than the district's 3.2% and the state's 5.0%. Math achievement is another standout: Geometry proficiency has been near 100% for two straight years, and Algebra I proficiency reached 94.6% in 2025–26. The school also serves at-risk students exceptionally well, ranking in the 89th percentile statewide for low-income students and the 88th percentile for disabled students. Buffalo Gap High invests more per student ($11,833) than any nearby school, with the region's lowest student-teacher ratio at 12.7-to-1.

The challenges are equally clear. Eleventh-grade reading proficiency fell to 81.2% in 2025–26, below the state's 88.1% and trailing most nearby schools — Wilson Memorial High (92.2%), Staunton High (90.8%), and Stuarts Draft High (90.1%) all outperformed Buffalo Gap High. Chronic absenteeism is a concern at 19.4%, higher than every other Augusta County high school, and history/social studies scores have been inconsistent. For parents, the takeaway is that Buffalo Gap is a supportive, well-resourced school that gets students to graduation and builds strong math skills, but reading proficiency and attendance are areas to watch.

410

Students ?

12.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,833

Per pupil spending ?

58.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1800 Buffalo Gap Hwy
Swoope, VA 24479

(540) 337-6021

District: Augusta County Public Schools

Racial breakdown:

White:

93.7%

Hispanic:

3.2%

Two or more races:

2.4%

See top rated Virginia high schools

Compare Buffalo Gap High to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 57th percentile in 2016 → 59th in 2026

Strengths

✓97% graduate in 4 years — above the Virginia average (92%)

✓Above the Virginia median (59th percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Near the bottom of Augusta County Public Schools's ranking

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school82%

District avg82%

Virginia avg78%

136^th of 331

Virginia public high schools ?

Top 41%▲ up 2 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Virginia High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

4^th of 5High Schools in the Augusta County Public Schools

75^th of 131Augusta County Public Schools among Virginia districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	61.4	136 of 331	58.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	68.2	102 of 328	68.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	71.0	77 of 329	76.6%	★★★★☆
2023	70.1	86 of 326	73.6%	★★★★☆
2022	65.3	77 of 325	76.3%	★★★★☆
2021	53.1	129 of 327	60.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	52.4	149 of 327	54.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	69.7	41 of 326	87.4%	★★★★☆
2017	59.2	101 of 324	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2016	51.8	138 of 321	57.0%	★★★☆☆
2015	57.7	99 of 322	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2014	50.0	147 of 322	54.3%	★★★☆☆
2013	65.1	68 of 321	78.8%	★★★★☆
2012	56.2	114 of 321	64.5%	★★★☆☆
2011	62.2	87 of 320	72.8%	★★★★☆
2010	65.3	68 of 317	78.5%	★★★★☆
2009	65.8	59 of 313	81.2%	★★★★☆
2008	69.3	46 of 316	85.4%	★★★★☆
2007	71.1	32 of 313	89.8%	★★★★★
2006	67.2	43 of 314	86.3%	★★★★☆
2005	56.2	102 of 308	66.9%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2024	80.1	30 of 253	88.1%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	60.3	142 of 322	55.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	59.9	141 of 321	56.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	72.4	66 of 322	79.5%	★★★★☆
2023	73.5	60 of 320	81.3%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	62.5	111 of 321	65.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	77.2	35 of 324	89.2%	★★★★☆
2024	73.2	52 of 320	83.8%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	58.5	140 of 325	56.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	74.1	62 of 322	80.7%	★★★★☆
2024	67.2	102 of 322	68.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	61.5	134 of 321	58.3%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	43.8	215 of 312	31.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	49.4	197 of 313	37.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	56.9	149 of 314	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	58.3	141 of 315	55.2%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Disabled (2024)88th percentile+12 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)65th percentile+7 vs school

Male (2026)57th percentile~ school

Female (2026)56th percentile-3 vs school

White (2026)31st percentile-28 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

Geometry96%+13 vs state

Algebra I95%+16 vs state

English Reading82%-5 vs state

Earth Science82%+18 vs state

Biology80%+3 vs state

Geography75%+5 vs state

5.0

1 rating

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Schools Near Buffalo Gap High

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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 Writing (2026)				SOL Geometry (2026)				SOL Algebra I (2026)				SOL Algebra II (2026)			SOL Chemistry (2026)		SOL Biology (2026)				SOL Earth Science (2026)				SOL English Reading (2026)			SOL Geography (2026)				SOL VA and US History (2026)			SOL World History I (2026)				SOL World History II (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 Writing 9th Grade	SOL Writing 10th Grade	SOL Writing 11th Grade	SOL Writing 12th Grade	SOL Geometry 9th Grade	SOL Geometry 10th Grade	SOL Geometry 11th Grade	SOL Geometry 12th 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 Chemistry 11th Grade	SOL Chemistry 12th Grade	SOL Biology 9th Grade	SOL Biology 10th Grade	SOL Biology 11th Grade	SOL Biology 12th Grade	SOL Earth Science 9th Grade	SOL Earth Science 10th Grade	SOL Earth Science 11th Grade	SOL Earth Science 12th Grade	SOL English Reading 10th Grade	SOL English Reading 11th Grade	SOL English Reading 12th Grade	SOL Geography 9th Grade	SOL Geography 10th Grade	SOL Geography 11th Grade	SOL Geography 12th Grade	SOL VA and US History 10th Grade	SOL VA and US History 11th Grade	SOL VA and US History 12th Grade	SOL World History I 9th Grade	SOL World History I 10th Grade	SOL World History I 11th Grade	SOL World History I 12th Grade	SOL World History II 9th Grade	SOL World History II 10th Grade	SOL World History II 11th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Buffalo Gap High	Public	9-12	1800 Buffalo Gap Hwy	Swoope	24479	Augusta County	Augusta County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 337-6021	410	32	12.7	58.8%	384 (93.7%)	1 (0.2%)	13 (3.2%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.4%)	61.4	136^th of 331 public high schools	58.9%		68.2	102^nd of 328 public high schools	68.9%	34			≥ 50%	447.0	95.7		≥ 50%	≥ 50%	94.6	425.0	< 50%							< 50%	79.6	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	81.8	≥ 50%	< 50%			81.2	90.0	75.0	≥ 50%	< 50%			≥ 50%	≥ 50%	< 50%							$11,833	$290	$11,543
Staunton High	Public	9-12	1301 N Coalter St	Staunton	24401	Staunton city	Staunton City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 332-3926	766	58	13.2	85.0%	462 (60.3%)	111 (14.5%)	76 (9.9%)	11 (1.4%)	3 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	102 (13.3%)	62	132^nd of 331 public high schools	60.1%		68	104^th of 328 public high schools	68.3%	28	< 50%		87.7	≥ 50%	100.0	387.0	< 50%	< 50%	83.8	413.0	≥ 50%	431.0	100.0	≥ 50%	≥ 50%			95.5	71.2	417.0	≥ 50%		≥ 50%	390.0	407.0	≥ 50%	90.8	≥ 50%						< 50%		70.4	428.0			≥ 50%	23.8		$10,689	$765	$9,924
Riverheads High	Public	9-12	19 Howardsville Rd	Staunton	24401	Staunton city	Augusta County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 337-1921	467	35	13.4	54.4%	409 (87.6%)	8 (1.7%)	19 (4.1%)	5 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (5.6%)	74.9	56^th of 331 public high schools	83.1%		75	59^th of 328 public high schools	82.0%	3			≥ 50%	≥ 50%	100.0	< 50%			98.9	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	≥ 50%						≥ 50%	83.8	< 50%	< 50%	88.6	410.0	< 50%			86.5	482.0	83.2	396.0	≥ 50%		< 50%	< 50%	≥ 50%	< 50%					< 50%		$9,859	$239	$9,620
Wilson Memorial High	Public	9-12	189 Hornet Rd	Fishersville	22939	Augusta County	Augusta County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 886-4286	837	59	14.1	55.1%	657 (78.5%)	55 (6.6%)	60 (7.2%)	13 (1.6%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	49 (5.9%)	67.4	105^th of 331 public high schools	68.3%		64.1	118^th of 328 public high schools	64.0%	13			≥ 50%	388.0	95.9	411.0	≥ 50%		85.7	75.9	≥ 50%	≥ 50%				≥ 50%	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	69.4	399.0	430.0	84.3	80.0	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	412.0	92.2	71.4	87.2	59.1	≥ 50%	≥ 50%		≥ 50%	< 50%	≥ 50%					≥ 50%		$8,374	$261	$8,113
Fort Defiance High	Public	9-12	195 Fort Defiance Rd	Fort Defiance	24437	Augusta County	Augusta County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 245-5050	731	52	14.0	62.2%	588 (80.4%)	25 (3.4%)	93 (12.7%)	4 (0.5%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (2.6%)	45.4	222^nd of 331 public high schools	32.9%		51.6	192^nd of 328 public high schools	41.5%	30			< 50%		93.3	316.0		< 50%	73.3	61.5	≥ 50%	≥ 50%						93.3	66.5	402.0	≥ 50%	70.6	53.9	< 50%		< 50%	86.6	≥ 50%	75.3	404.0	< 50%	≥ 50%		< 50%		< 50%			≥ 50%		< 50%	< 50%	$9,483	$117	$9,365
Stuarts Draft High	Public	9-12	1028 Augusta Farm Rd	Stuarts Draft	24477	Augusta County	Augusta County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 946-7600	668	47	14.3	62.1%	533 (79.8%)	26 (3.9%)	51 (7.6%)	13 (1.9%)	4 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (6.1%)	66	110^th of 331 public high schools	66.8%		63.2	124^th of 328 public high schools	62.2%	14			≥ 50%		100.0	379.0	< 50%		89.3	53.9	≥ 50%					< 50%		≥ 50%	73.7	385.0	≥ 50%	85.1	413.0	< 50%		≥ 50%	90.1	≥ 50%	77.3	397.0				≥ 50%	< 50%								$9,391	$152	$9,239
Waynesboro High	Public	9-12	1200 West Main St	Waynesboro	22980	Waynesboro city	Waynesboro City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 946-4616	926	63	14.8	94.7%	429 (46.3%)	184 (19.9%)	205 (22.1%)	27 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)	79 (8.5%)	46.6	217^th of 331 public high schools	34.4%		30.6	282^nd of 328 public high schools	14.0%	65	370.0	57.2	39.3	395.0	94.6	366.0			82.7	70.6	94.7	90.9		≥ 50%				70.0	75.7	88.9	86.4	59.1	76.2	64.3	407.0	95.0	80.5	≥ 50%		≥ 50%	431.0	420.0	403.0	52.8	90.0	68.0	72.7	378.0		≥ 50%	48.2		$9,452	$472	$8,979
Turner Ashby High	Public	9-12	800 N Main St	Bridgewater	22812	Rockingham County	Rockingham County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 828-2008	998	65	15.3	38.4%	706 (70.7%)	36 (3.6%)	197 (19.7%)	9 (0.9%)	4 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	45 (4.5%)	72	75^th of 331 public high schools	77.3%		61.9	131^st of 328 public high schools	60.1%	56					98.3	≥ 50%			100.0	92.3	100.0	≥ 50%	≥ 50%			< 50%		452.0	80.8	47.6	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	< 50%	387.0	361.0	≥ 50%	86.1	72.2	397.0	< 50%	≥ 50%				< 50%		< 50%						$8,372	$109	$8,263

Frequently Asked Questions about Buffalo Gap High

How many students attend Buffalo Gap High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 410 students attended Buffalo Gap High.

What district is Buffalo Gap High in?

Augusta County Public Schools

What is the racial makeup of Buffalo Gap High?

Students at Buffalo Gap High are 94% White, 3% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races.

What schools feed into Buffalo Gap High?

Buffalo Gap High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Churchville Elementary
Elementary : Craigsville Elementary

Is Buffalo Gap High a good school?

Buffalo Gap High ranks 136^th of 331 Virginia high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Rate Buffalo Gap High!

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Schools in Swoope, VA

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Latest Virginia data All new data »

2025–26 SOL test scoresAug 25, 2026

2021–22 school spending dataFeb 16, 2026

2022–23 through 2023–24 school spending dataFeb 10, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJan 6, 2026

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.