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Blue Ridge Elementary

Q: Is Blue Ridge Elementary a good school?

Blue Ridge Elementary ranks 283 rd of 1111 Virginia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-7

283^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,111 Virginia Elementary Schools

Better than 75% of Virginia elementary schools

Summary

Blue Ridge Elementary is a small, rural PK-7 school in Ararat, Virginia, serving 223 students as part of Patrick County Public Schools. The school currently holds a 4-star rating and ranks in the 75th percentile of Virginia elementary schools — a stable position that has held steady for the past several years. What makes this particularly impressive is that nearly 98% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, yet Blue Ridge consistently beats state averages in most subjects, and its economically disadvantaged students rank in the 93rd percentile statewide (5 stars).

In the most recent testing year, Blue Ridge posted standout scores in 3rd grade math (96% proficient vs. 74% statewide), 3rd grade reading (92% vs. 68%), and 7th grade math (89% vs. 51%). Fifth grade science also came in strong at 86% vs. 69% statewide. The school has also made huge strides in attendance: chronic absenteeism dropped from 23.7% in 2022-2023 to just 8.9% in 2024-2025, now well below the state rate of 14.8%. With a student-teacher ratio of 13.1, students get relatively small class sizes that likely support these strong results. Students with disabilities also perform well, ranking in the 81st percentile statewide.

Blue Ridge outperforms Oakland, Hillsville, and St. Paul, and is competitive with Gladesboro and Fancy Gap. Notably, it outranks Meadows of Dan Elementary even though that school has far lower poverty. Within the district, Woolwine Elementary ranks higher overall, but Blue Ridge actually beats Woolwine in 3rd grade math and reading. The one weak spot is 6th grade math, which dropped to 58% proficiency — though with only 223 students, a single challenging class can swing numbers significantly. Overall, Blue Ridge is a reliably solid school that has proven especially effective at supporting students who face the greatest barriers.

223

Students ?

13.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,885

Per pupil spending ?

97.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

5135 Ararat Hwy
Ararat, VA 24053

(276) 251-5271

District: Patrick County Public Schools

Students who attend Blue Ridge Elementary usually attend:

High:

Patrick County High

Racial breakdown:

White:

84.3%

Hispanic:

9.4%

Two or more races:

5.4%

See top rated Virginia elementary schools

Compare Blue Ridge Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 74th percentile in 2016 → 75th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Virginia average (83% vs 70% meeting standards)

✓Above the Virginia median (75th percentile)

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school83%

District avg79%

Virginia avg70%

Elementary school

283^rd of 1,111

Virginia public elementary schools ?

Top 25%▲ up 1 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

97^th of 416

Virginia public middle schools ?

Top 23%▼ down 16 pts since 2016

From top 7% (2016) to top 23% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 4Elementary Schools in the Patrick County Public Schools

10^th of 131Patrick 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)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	74.8	283 of 1111	74.5%	★★★★☆
2025	75.4	283 of 1110	74.5%	★★★★☆
2024	72.2	321 of 1114	71.2%	★★★★☆
2023	74.5	275 of 1114	75.3%	★★★★☆
2022	77.6	237 of 1109	78.6%	★★★★☆
2021	65.2	401 of 1103	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	85.1	84 of 1105	92.4%	★★★★★
2018	76.6	201 of 1097	81.7%	★★★★☆
2017	70.8	297 of 1099	73.0%	★★★★☆
2016	71.1	288 of 1096	73.7%	★★★★☆
2015	61.8	439 of 1100	60.1%	★★★☆☆
2014	47.0	648 of 1110	41.6%	★★☆☆☆
2013	40.4	757 of 1120	32.4%	★★☆☆☆
2012	43.1	737 of 1117	34.0%	★★☆☆☆
2011	58.1	484 of 1117	56.7%	★★★☆☆
2010	54.5	558 of 1113	49.9%	★★★☆☆
2009	32.4	892 of 1082	17.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	38.2	781 of 1081	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	30.9	898 of 1083	17.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	45.9	684 of 1071	36.1%	★★☆☆☆
2005	47.5	623 of 1062	41.3%	★★☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	74.1	81 of 420	80.7%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	80.0	177 of 1100	83.9%	★★★★☆
2025	79.5	197 of 1096	82.0%	★★★★☆
2024	63.0	427 of 1098	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	73.5	269 of 1100	75.5%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	85.3	68 of 1040	93.5%	★★★★★
2025	85.4	77 of 1046	92.6%	★★★★★
2024	77.6	157 of 1036	84.8%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	66.9	365 of 1099	66.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	65.3	394 of 1093	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	72.9	292 of 1101	73.5%	★★★★☆
2023	73.4	269 of 1093	75.4%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	57.6	443 of 974	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	56.5	460 of 973	52.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	58.6	441 of 979	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	64.1	353 of 984	64.1%	★★★☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	71.9	97 of 416	76.7%	★★★★☆
2025	88.2	8 of 419	98.1%	★★★★★
2024	92.2	5 of 417	98.8%	★★★★★
2023	85.9	24 of 422	94.3%	★★★★★
2022	77.7	54 of 415	87.0%	★★★★☆
2021	76.0	49 of 419	88.3%	★★★★☆
2019	76.9	49 of 424	88.4%	★★★★☆
2018	52.4	196 of 413	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2017	65.4	93 of 415	77.6%	★★★★☆
2016	81.2	28 of 409	93.2%	★★★★★
2015	81.1	29 of 412	93.0%	★★★★★
2014	66.3	88 of 416	78.8%	★★★★☆
2013	70.7	76 of 416	81.7%	★★★★☆
2012	71.7	60 of 413	85.5%	★★★★☆
2011	64.1	105 of 413	74.6%	★★★★☆
2010	78.9	22 of 408	94.6%	★★★★★
2009	59.3	128 of 390	67.2%	★★★☆☆
2008	78.4	22 of 391	94.4%	★★★★★
2007	75.4	34 of 387	91.2%	★★★★★
2006	71.3	49 of 383	87.2%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	66.3	126 of 409	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	85.4	18 of 407	95.6%	★★★★★
2023	81.5	41 of 411	90.0%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	81.2	44 of 401	89.0%	★★★★☆
2025	93.7	7 of 403	98.3%	★★★★★
2024	94.2	6 of 402	98.5%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	73.1	85 of 410	79.3%	★★★★☆
2025	91.6	7 of 404	98.3%	★★★★★
2024	94.7	3 of 407	99.3%	★★★★★
2023	89.2	9 of 409	97.8%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	55.7	166 of 400	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	84.8	11 of 400	97.3%	★★★★★
2024	86.8	10 of 396	97.5%	★★★★★
2023	73.2	76 of 402	81.1%	★★★★☆

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)

Elementary school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)93rd percentile+19 vs school

Female (2026)84th percentile+9 vs school

Disabled (2026)81st percentile+6 vs school

Male (2026)67th percentile-8 vs school

White (2026)55th percentile-20 vs school

Middle school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)89th percentile+12 vs school

Male (2026)79th percentile+3 vs school

Female (2026)69th percentile-7 vs school

White (2026)58th percentile-18 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

Science86%+17 vs state

English Reading84%+12 vs state

Mathematics83%+15 vs state

Civics and Economics81%+11 vs state

VA Studies80%+9 vs state

★

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Schools Near Blue Ridge 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 Civics and Economics (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 Mathematics 6th Grade	SOL Mathematics 7th Grade	SOL Science 5th Grade	SOL English Reading 3rd Grade	SOL English Reading 4th Grade	SOL English Reading 5th Grade	SOL English Reading 6th Grade	SOL English Reading 7th Grade	SOL Civics and Economics 7th Grade	SOL VA Studies 4th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Blue Ridge Elementary	Public	PK, KG-7	5135 Ararat Hwy	Ararat	24053	Patrick County	Patrick County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 251-5271	223	17	13.1	97.8%	188 (84.3%)	2 (0.9%)	21 (9.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (5.4%)	74.8	283^rd of 1111 public elementary schools	74.5%		75.4	283^rd of 1110 public elementary schools	74.5%		96.2	80.0	89.3	58.3	88.9	85.7	92.3	84.0	78.6	79.2	85.2	81.5	80.0	$9,885	$1,343	$8,542
Gladesboro Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	7845 Snake Creek	Hillsville	24343	Carroll County	Carroll County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 398-2493	108	10	11.2	92.6%	97 (89.8%)	3 (2.8%)	4 (3.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (3.7%)	78	233^rd of 1111 public elementary schools	79.0%		69.5	363^rd of 1110 public elementary schools	67.3%	130	88.2	100.0	83.3			88.9	58.8	91.7	83.3				100.0	$11,289	$759	$10,531
St. Paul	Public	PK, KG-7	231 Flower Gap Road	Cana	24317	Carroll County	Carroll County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 755-3512	304	28	10.7	94.1%	269 (88.5%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (4.6%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (6.3%)	46	660^th of 1111 public elementary schools	40.6%		53.9	556^th of 1110 public elementary schools	49.9%	104	75.0	80.0	76.2	80.0	405.0	64.3	61.1	68.6	66.7	70.0	402.0	443.0	62.9	$9,806	$1,416	$8,390
Meadows Of Dan Elementary	Public	PK, KG-7	3003 Jeb Stuart Hwy	Meadows of Dan	24120	Patrick County	Patrick County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 952-2424	300	11	27.2	32.7%	162 (54.0%)	61 (20.3%)	31 (10.3%)	5 (1.7%)	4 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (12.3%)	59.7	482^nd of 1111 public elementary schools	56.6%		66.6	396^th of 1110 public elementary schools	64.3%	86	81.8	60.0	84.6	462.0	435.0	69.2	90.9	70.0	76.9	428.0	437.0	431.0	70.0	$8,100	$344	$7,757
Fancy Gap Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	63 Winding Ridge Rd	Fancy Gap	24328	Carroll County	Carroll County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 728-7504	130	16	8.2	94.6%	120 (92.3%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (4.6%)	72.7	308^th of 1111 public elementary schools	72.3%		74.5	295^th of 1110 public elementary schools	73.4%	13	94.4	70.0	76.2			71.4	94.4	80.0	85.7				90.0	$10,110	$1,275	$8,835
Stuart Elementary	Public	PK, KG-7	314 Staples Ave	Stuart	24171	Patrick County	Patrick County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 694-7139	361	24	15.0	89.8%	291 (80.6%)	13 (3.6%)	32 (8.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (6.9%)	72.4	313^th of 1111 public elementary schools	71.8%		62.1	453^rd of 1110 public elementary schools	59.2%	140	80.0	79.6	81.3	93.2	76.7	72.9	77.5	77.3	83.3	88.6	79.1	70.7	77.3	$8,216	$1,092	$7,124
Hillsville Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	90 Patriot Lane	Hillsville	24343	Carroll County	Carroll County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 728-7312	461	40	11.6	92.4%	409 (88.7%)	4 (0.9%)	25 (5.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (4.8%)	55.3	550^th of 1111 public elementary schools	50.5%		58.8	493^rd of 1110 public elementary schools	55.6%	57	66.7	79.4	72.3			80.0	68.3	75.0	66.2				80.6	$9,789	$1,002	$8,787
Patrick Springs Primary	Public	PK, KG-3	75 Elementary Lane	Patrick Springs	24133	Patrick County	Patrick County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 694-3396	241	18	13.3	99.6%	198 (82.2%)	5 (2.1%)	20 (8.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (7.5%)								(n/a)	69.1						69.1							$10,112	$1,418	$8,693
Willis Elementary	Public	PK, KG-7	5075 Floyd Highway S	Willis	24380	Floyd County	Floyd County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 745-9430	163	11	14.2	79.8%	128 (78.5%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (17.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (4.3%)	46.1	659^th of 1111 public elementary schools	40.7%		46	655^th of 1110 public elementary schools	41.0%	4	61.9	69.6	68.4	68.2	50.0	68.4	71.4	78.3	52.6	81.8	65.0	50.0	65.2	$8,968	$374	$8,594
Woolwine Elementary	Public	PK, KG-7	9993 Woolwine Hwy	Woolwine	24185	Patrick County	Patrick County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 930-2811	153	11	13.9	76.5%	136 (88.9%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (6.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (4.6%)	87.5	84^th of 1111 public elementary schools	92.4%		83.1	158^th of 1110 public elementary schools	85.8%	74	95.8	88.2	100.0	85.7	95.0	83.3	87.5	88.2	83.3	85.7	95.0	95.0	100.0	$10,703	$973	$9,729

Frequently Asked Questions about Blue Ridge Elementary

What is the racial makeup of Blue Ridge Elementary?

Students at Blue Ridge Elementary are 84% White, 9% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races.

How many students attend Blue Ridge Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 223 students attended Blue Ridge Elementary.

What schools do graduates of Blue Ridge Elementary attend?

Students who attend Blue Ridge Elementary usually go on to attend:

High : Patrick County High

Is Blue Ridge Elementary a good school?

Blue Ridge Elementary ranks 283^rd of 1111 Virginia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What district is Blue Ridge Elementary in?

Patrick County Public Schools

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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.