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Harding Avenue Elementary

Q: Is Harding Avenue Elementary a good school?

Harding Avenue Elementary ranks 126 th of 1111 Virginia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

126^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,111 Virginia Elementary Schools

Better than 89% of Virginia elementary schools

Summary

Harding Avenue Elementary is a K–5 school in Blacksburg, VA, serving 279 students as part of Montgomery County Public Schools, and it has consistently ranked among the top elementary schools in Virginia. The school earned 5-star ratings for four consecutive years before leveling off at 4 stars in 2025–2026, and it ranked as high as 22nd out of 1,114 elementary schools statewide in 2022–2023. Harding's student body is comparatively advantaged — only 23.7% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch — and its chronic absenteeism rate of 4.4% is less than one-third of both the district and state averages, which helps explain the school's sustained success.

Academically, Harding's SOL proficiency rates consistently outpace district and state averages by double digits. In 2025–2026, 4th grade math proficiency was 95.9% versus 79.4% for Montgomery County Public Schools and 73.3% statewide; 4th grade reading was 93.9% versus 79.5% and 73.7% respectively. Harding also outperforms nearby schools with far higher poverty levels, such as Eastern Montgomery Elementary, Falling Branch Elementary, and Riverlawn Elementary, often by 20 to 40 percentage points, even while spending less per student than most of them.

The main challenges are worth noting. Economically disadvantaged students at Harding scored in the 63rd percentile in 2025–2026, down sharply from the 82nd percentile the year before, revealing a meaningful achievement gap within an otherwise high-performing school. Fifth grade reading and math also dipped noticeably in 2025–2026, though this appears to be a cohort effect since 3rd and 4th grade scores remain excellent. And Kipps Elementary, a neighboring school with a nearly identical demographic profile, has recently overtaken Harding in statewide rankings. Still, Harding combines strong attendance, efficient spending, and consistently excellent results, making it a top-tier choice for families in Blacksburg.

279

Students ?

13.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,379

Per pupil spending ?

23.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

429 Harding Avenue
Blacksburg, VA 24060

(540) 951-5732

District: Montgomery County Public Schools

Students who attend Harding Avenue Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Blacksburg Middle
High:	Blacksburg High

Racial breakdown:

White:

70.6%

Asian:

11.5%

Hispanic:

6.8%

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Compare Harding Avenue Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Recently slipping — 98th percentile in 2023 → 89th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Virginia average (88% vs 72% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 11% of Virginia elementary schools

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Montgomery County Public Schools

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped from its 98th-percentile peak (2023) to 89th (2026)

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school88%

District avg77%

Virginia avg72%

126^th of 1,111

Virginia public elementary schools ?

Top 11%▲ up 7 pts since 2016

From top 19% (2016) to top 11% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 10Elementary Schools in the Montgomery County Public Schools

51^st of 131Montgomery 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	85.1	126 of 1111	88.7%	★★★★☆
2025	89.1	64 of 1110	94.2%	★★★★★
2024	90.8	37 of 1114	96.7%	★★★★★
2023	92.7	22 of 1114	98.0%	★★★★★
2022	89.9	56 of 1109	95.0%	★★★★★
2021	88.9	89 of 1103	91.9%	★★★★★
2019	64.6	422 of 1105	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	70.5	305 of 1097	72.2%	★★★★☆
2017	72.0	274 of 1099	75.1%	★★★★☆
2016	76.3	205 of 1096	81.3%	★★★★☆
2015	86.0	52 of 1100	95.3%	★★★★★
2014	83.2	112 of 1110	89.9%	★★★★☆
2013	91.6	17 of 1120	98.5%	★★★★★
2012	76.7	178 of 1117	84.1%	★★★★☆
2011	76.6	181 of 1117	83.8%	★★★★☆
2010	72.8	217 of 1113	80.5%	★★★★☆
2009	77.5	144 of 1082	86.7%	★★★★☆
2008	78.2	134 of 1081	87.6%	★★★★☆
2007	69.7	285 of 1083	73.7%	★★★★☆
2006	71.0	256 of 1071	76.1%	★★★★☆
2005	68.7	288 of 1062	72.9%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	81.9	157 of 1100	85.7%	★★★★☆
2025	88.7	53 of 1096	95.2%	★★★★★
2024	85.4	96 of 1098	91.3%	★★★★★
2023	91.5	24 of 1100	97.8%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	61.1	383 of 1040	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	75.0	191 of 1046	81.7%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	83.5	125 of 1099	88.6%	★★★★☆
2025	86.1	89 of 1093	91.9%	★★★★★
2024	91.7	23 of 1101	97.9%	★★★★★
2023	90.7	29 of 1093	97.3%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	77.2	162 of 974	83.4%	★★★★☆
2025	81.6	99 of 973	89.8%	★★★★☆
2024	88.1	22 of 979	97.8%	★★★★★
2023	90.3	11 of 984	98.9%	★★★★★

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)

Male (2026)89th percentile~ school

Female (2026)86th percentile-3 vs school

White (2026)83rd percentile-5 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)63rd percentile-25 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

VA Studies92%+21 vs state

Mathematics89%+16 vs state

English Reading87%+15 vs state

Science87%+18 vs state

★

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Schools Near Harding Avenue Elementary

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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 Mathematics (2026)			SOL Science (2026)	SOL English Reading (2026)			SOL VA Studies (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 Mathematics 3rd Grade	SOL Mathematics 4th Grade	SOL Mathematics 5th Grade	SOL Science 5th Grade	SOL English Reading 3rd Grade	SOL English Reading 4th Grade	SOL English Reading 5th Grade	SOL VA Studies 4th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Harding Avenue Elementary	Public	K-5	429 Harding Avenue	Blacksburg	24060	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 951-5732	279	21	13.1	23.7%	197 (70.6%)	11 (3.9%)	19 (6.8%)	32 (11.5%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (6.8%)	85.1	126^th of 1111 public elementary schools	88.7%		89.1	64^th of 1110 public elementary schools	94.2%	62	86.2	95.9	86.5	86.5	87.7	93.9	78.9	91.7	$9,379	$382	$8,997
Gilbert Linkous Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	813 Toms Creek Rd	Blacksburg	24060	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 951-5726	292	24	12.1	28.8%	197 (67.5%)	14 (4.8%)	16 (5.5%)	45 (15.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (6.8%)	79.9	201^st of 1111 public elementary schools	81.9%		79.9	215^th of 1110 public elementary schools	80.6%	14	80.9	85.4	91.4	87.9	78.3	82.9	89.7	78.1	$9,686	$104	$9,582
Margaret Beeks Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	709 Airport Rd	Blacksburg	24060	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 951-5700	346	26	13.3	39.9%	230 (66.5%)	29 (8.4%)	29 (8.4%)	25 (7.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	32 (9.2%)	78.3	226^th of 1111 public elementary schools	79.7%		82.1	181^st of 1110 public elementary schools	83.7%	45	76.8	95.4	82.0	80.3	78.6	95.4	82.0	92.9	$10,254	$342	$9,912
Kipps Elementary	Public	K-5	2801 Prices Fork Rd	Blacksburg	24060	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 951-5760	358	26	13.7	23.2%	238 (66.5%)	10 (2.8%)	32 (8.9%)	59 (16.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.3%)	88.3	67^th of 1111 public elementary schools	94.0%		84.4	137^th of 1110 public elementary schools	87.7%	70	95.0	96.1	84.6	84.4	91.7	94.2	87.2	98.0	$9,494	$498	$8,995
Prices Fork Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4021 Prices Fork Rd	Blacksburg	24060	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 951-5736	457	34	13.4	86.9%	297 (65.0%)	15 (3.3%)	90 (19.7%)	17 (3.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (8.1%)	57.8	510^th of 1111 public elementary schools	54.1%		49.2	609^th of 1110 public elementary schools	45.1%	99	76.1	69.4	89.3	72.7	66.7	70.4	78.2	80.0	$1,819	$389	$1,430
Christiansburg Elementary	Public	3-5	160 Wades Lane	Christiansburg	24073	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 382-5172	401	31	12.9	42.6%	285 (71.1%)	32 (8.0%)	40 (10.0%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	39 (9.7%)	54.1	570^th of 1111 public elementary schools	48.7%		59.8	476^th of 1110 public elementary schools	57.1%	94	71.3	75.4	72.1	70.1	69.3	77.1	71.4	75.6	$9,830	$947	$8,882
Christiansburg Primary	Public	PK, KG-2	240 Betty Drive	Christiansburg	24073	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 382-5175	346	28	12.3	50.6%	241 (69.7%)	25 (7.2%)	36 (10.4%)	4 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (11.6%)								(n/a)									$10,152	$520	$9,633
Belview Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3187 Peppers Ferry Rd	Radford	24141	Radford city	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 633-3200	245	22	11.0	60.0%	182 (74.3%)	22 (9.0%)	16 (6.5%)	1 (0.4%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (9.0%)	30.2	841^st of 1111 public elementary schools	24.3%		40.5	714^th of 1110 public elementary schools	35.7%	127	61.4	71.4	58.8	47.1	55.8	73.8	55.9	69.1	$13,253	$1,484	$11,769
Falling Branch Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	735 Falling Branch Rd	Christiansburg	24073	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 381-6145	535	44	12.2	88.6%	394 (73.6%)	32 (6.0%)	65 (12.1%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (7.7%)	54.3	568^th of 1111 public elementary schools	48.9%		40.3	719^th of 1110 public elementary schools	35.2%	151	83.1	76.9	75.0	71.3	69.2	71.8	66.3	71.8	$10,611	$621	$9,990
Eastern Montgomery Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4580 Eastern Montgomery Ln.	Elliston	24087	Montgomery County	Montgomery County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 268-1147	376	29	12.9	88.0%	303 (80.6%)	5 (1.3%)	51 (13.6%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.7%)	15.9	977^th of 1111 public elementary schools	12.1%		10.7	1019^th of 1110 public elementary schools	8.2%	42	63.8	49.1	36.4	43.9	51.7	63.6	60.6	60.0	$11,646	$1,653	$9,993

Frequently Asked Questions about Harding Avenue Elementary

What is the racial makeup of Harding Avenue Elementary?

Students at Harding Avenue Elementary are 71% White, 11% Asian, 7% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 4% African American.

Is Harding Avenue Elementary a good school?

Harding Avenue Elementary ranks 126^th of 1111 Virginia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What district is Harding Avenue Elementary in?

Montgomery County Public Schools

How many students attend Harding Avenue Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 279 students attended Harding Avenue Elementary.

What schools do graduates of Harding Avenue Elementary attend?

Students who attend Harding Avenue Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Blacksburg Middle
High : Blacksburg High

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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.