Virginia Intermediate School

Virginia Intermediate School serves 655 students in grades 2–5 in Bristol, Virginia, as part of Bristol City Public Schools. Nearly all of its students (99.85%) qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, making it one of the most economically disadvantaged elementary schools in the region. The district itself is ranked 94th of 131 Virginia districts (1 star), and the school holds a 2-star rating, placing it in the 37th percentile statewide.

Compared with nearby schools, the differences are stark. Virginia Intermediate's chronic absenteeism rate sits at 24.0% — well above the state average of 14.8% and far higher than nearby schools like Greendale Elementary (4.7%) or Hilton Elementary. Its student-teacher ratio of 18.7 is also the highest in the area; neighboring Virginia Primary School, for example, has a ratio of 11.4. Statewide rankings tell a similar story: while Watauga Elementary ranks in the 95th percentile with 5 stars, Virginia Intermediate sits at the 37th percentile. That said, these comparisons are not apples-to-apples — nearby schools serve roughly 75% economically disadvantaged students versus nearly 100% at Virginia Intermediate.

Academically, the school shows both bright spots and concerns. In 4th grade, reading proficiency reached 79.9% (above the state average of 73.7%) and Virginia Studies hit 79.0%, while math essentially matched the state. However, 3rd-grade results lag significantly: just 56.4% proficient in math and 58.8% in reading, both well below state averages. The school's performance with economically disadvantaged students is relatively strong (55th percentile statewide), though outcomes for students with disabilities are weaker. Overall, 4th grade is a genuine strength, but 3rd-grade foundational skills, chronic absenteeism, and class sizes deserve attention.