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Chilhowie High

Q: Is Chilhowie High a good school?

Yes. Chilhowie High ranks in the top 9.4% of Virginia high schools.

Q: How many students attend Chilhowie High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 384 students attended Chilhowie High.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Chilhowie High?

Students at Chilhowie High are 93% White, 4% Hispanic, 2% African American.

Q: What schools feed into Chilhowie High?

Chilhowie High is fed by the following schools: Elementary : Chilhowie Elementary Middle : Chilhowie Middle

Public Grades 9-12

31^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 331 Virginia High Schools

Better than 91% of Virginia high schools

Summary

Chilhowie High is a small public high school in Chilhowie, Virginia, serving 384 students in grades 9–12 as part of Smyth County Public Schools. The school has become one of the strongest performers in southwest Virginia, earning a 5-star rating and ranking 31st out of 331 Virginia high schools in the 2025–2026 school year—placing it in the 91st percentile statewide. This represents a remarkable turnaround: just five years ago, the school ranked 163rd in the state, and it has climbed steadily to its current position in the top 10% of Virginia high schools.

What makes this achievement especially notable is the student body Chilhowie serves. Nearly all students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, yet the school's low-income students rank in the 93rd percentile statewide—actually higher than the school's overall ranking. Academic proficiency is strong across the board: Algebra I proficiency hit 95.35% in 2025–2026, Biology reached 88.89%, and English Reading topped 96.51%, all well above state averages. Chilhowie outperforms nearby Marion Senior High in every core subject, despite Marion spending more per student, and it is competitive with highly ranked schools like Northwood High and Holston High. The graduation rate is exceptional at 98.9%, with dropout rates consistently near zero.

Chilhowie accomplishes this with the lowest per-student spending among nearby schools ($9,108) and a higher student-teacher ratio (14.2) than most of its peers, suggesting impressive efficiency. The school's female students have been a particular strength, ranking in the 91st percentile statewide. However, two areas are worth watching: chronic absenteeism has risen to 19.3%, above the state average, and Geometry proficiency dipped to 80.39% in 2025–2026, below district and state averages. Still, the overall picture is one of a high-poverty, lower-spending rural school achieving top-tier results and graduating essentially all of its students—a compelling story of school improvement.

384

Students ?

14.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,188

Per pupil spending ?

101%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1160 East Lee Hwy
Chilhowie, VA 24319

(276) 646-8966

District: Smyth County Public Schools

Feeder schools for Chilhowie High:

Elementary:	Chilhowie Elementary
Middle:	Chilhowie Middle

Racial breakdown:

White:

93.0%

Hispanic:

4.4%

African American:

1.6%

See top rated Virginia high schools

Compare Chilhowie High to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 70th percentile in 2016 → 91st in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Virginia average (91% vs 78% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 9% of Virginia high schools

✓100% graduate in 4 years — above the Virginia average (94%)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school91%

District avg86%

Virginia avg78%

31^st of 331

Virginia public high schools ?

Top 9%▲ up 21 pts since 2016

From top 30% (2016) to top 9% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 3High Schools in the Smyth County Public Schools

17^th of 131Smyth 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	78.8	31 of 331	90.6%	★★★★★
2025	77.0	44 of 328	86.6%	★★★★☆
2024	77.2	39 of 329	88.1%	★★★★☆
2023	74.1	57 of 326	82.5%	★★★★☆
2022	52.8	133 of 325	59.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	45.5	163 of 327	50.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	56.1	115 of 327	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	54.8	122 of 326	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2017	51.5	146 of 324	54.9%	★★★☆☆
2016	58.8	97 of 321	69.8%	★★★★☆
2015	52.4	132 of 322	59.0%	★★★☆☆
2014	48.2	161 of 322	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2013	58.4	96 of 321	70.1%	★★★★☆
2012	56.8	108 of 321	66.4%	★★★☆☆
2011	62.0	90 of 320	71.9%	★★★★☆
2010	53.9	137 of 317	56.8%	★★★☆☆
2009	62.7	79 of 313	74.8%	★★★★☆
2008	53.7	134 of 316	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2007	55.6	117 of 313	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2006	61.0	73 of 314	76.8%	★★★★☆
2005	56.2	103 of 308	66.6%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	79.0	28 of 322	91.3%	★★★★★
2025	81.1	15 of 321	95.3%	★★★★★
2024	69.9	84 of 322	73.9%	★★★★☆
2023	66.5	99 of 320	69.1%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	80.4	22 of 321	93.1%	★★★★★
2025	81.1	22 of 324	93.2%	★★★★★
2024	79.5	30 of 320	90.6%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	77.6	44 of 325	86.5%	★★★★☆
2025	71.0	83 of 322	74.2%	★★★★☆
2024	80.5	28 of 322	91.3%	★★★★★
2023	82.0	17 of 321	94.7%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	73.7	43 of 312	86.2%	★★★★☆
2025	64.8	110 of 313	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	66.4	93 of 314	70.4%	★★★★☆
2023	60.4	126 of 315	60.0%	★★★☆☆

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)

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)93rd percentile+3 vs school

Female (2026)91st percentile~ school

Male (2026)86th percentile-4 vs school

White (2026)86th percentile-4 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

English Reading97%+10 vs state

Algebra I95%+17 vs state

Biology89%+12 vs state

Geometry80%~ state avg

★

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Schools Near Chilhowie 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 Geometry (2026)				SOL Algebra I (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 (2025)
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 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 Chemistry 10th 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 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
Chilhowie High	Public	9-12	1160 East Lee Hwy	Chilhowie	24319	Smyth County	Smyth County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(276) 646-8966	384	27	14.2	101.0%	357 (93.0%)	6 (1.6%)	17 (4.4%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	78.8	31^st of 331 public high schools	90.6%		77	44^th of 328 public high schools	86.6%	13	80.4	≥ 50%			95.4	418.0	≥ 50%			≥ 50%	88.9	≥ 50%		< 50%					96.5	≥ 50%		≥ 50%	≥ 50%			< 50%		389.0	< 50%		< 50%	< 50%		$10,188	$344	$9,844
Northwood High	Public	9-12	305 Panther Ln	Saltville	24370	Smyth County	Smyth County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(276) 496-7751	204	23	8.7	99.0%	193 (94.6%)	1 (0.5%)	7 (3.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.0%)	83.4	11^th of 331 public high schools	96.7%		83.1	9^th of 328 public high schools	97.3%	2	87.5				96.4	≥ 50%					94.7	≥ 50%				≥ 50%			93.9	≥ 50%						453.0		< 50%						$15,641	$667	$14,974
Patrick Henry High	Public	9-12	31437 Hillman Hwy	Glade Spring	24340	Washington County	Washington County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(276) 739-3700	390	30	12.8	74.9%	356 (91.3%)	4 (1.0%)	20 (5.1%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.1%)	55.6	176^th of 331 public high schools	46.8%		75.3	56^th of 328 public high schools	82.9%	120	81.5				83.3	77.3	≥ 50%	≥ 50%			68.0	414.0	≥ 50%						90.1	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	< 50%			368.0	< 50%	≥ 50%	≥ 50%		381.0	< 50%		$11,924	$20	$11,904
Southwestern Va Mental Health Institute	Public	6-12	340 Bagley Circle	Marion	24354	Smyth County	Southwest Virginia Mental Health Institute	No	No	No	No	(276) 783-1222																			(n/a)
Marion Senior High	Public	9-12	848 Stage ST	Marion	24354	Smyth County	Smyth County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(276) 783-4731	563	53	10.6	99.8%	521 (92.5%)	19 (3.4%)	15 (2.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	6 (1.1%)	56.6	165^th of 331 public high schools	50.2%		60.3	144^th of 328 public high schools	56.1%	21	87.9	< 50%			86.6	81.8		≥ 50%	< 50%	< 50%	74.0	63.6	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	< 50%	< 50%	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	87.3	442.0	14.3	363.0		< 50%	≥ 50%	395.0	440.0	< 50%	≥ 50%	< 50%	≥ 50%	< 50%	< 50%	$11,977	$380	$11,597
Holston High	Public	9-12	21308 Monroe Rd	Damascus	24236	Washington County	Washington County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(276) 739-4000	254	21	11.9	74.8%	244 (96.1%)	2 (0.8%)	4 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.6%)	83.8	10^th of 331 public high schools	97.0%		79.1	28^th of 328 public high schools	91.5%	18	100.0	< 50%	≥ 50%		97.6	416.0	≥ 50%				85.7	63.6				≥ 50%			94.8		≥ 50%					383.0	375.0	≥ 50%	< 50%					$13,345	$16	$13,330
Abingdon High	Public	9-12	705 Thompson Dr	Abingdon	24210	Washington County	Washington County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(276) 739-3200	914	61	15.0	74.2%	790 (86.4%)	21 (2.3%)	47 (5.1%)	18 (2.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (4.0%)	68.3	94^th of 331 public high schools	71.6%		65.4	114^th of 328 public high schools	65.2%	20	94.4	< 50%	< 50%	< 50%	85.7	67.7	70.0	433.0		100.0	85.0	82.4	410.0					< 50%	90.1	452.0	55.0	395.0	≥ 50%			21.7	≥ 50%	414.0			≥ 50%	< 50%	≥ 50%	$9,016	$28	$8,988

Frequently Asked Questions about Chilhowie High

What schools feed into Chilhowie High?

Chilhowie High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Chilhowie Elementary
Middle : Chilhowie Middle

How many students attend Chilhowie High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 384 students attended Chilhowie High.

What district is Chilhowie High in?

Smyth County Public Schools

Is Chilhowie High a good school?

Yes. Chilhowie High ranks in the top 9.4% of Virginia high schools.

What is the racial makeup of Chilhowie High?

Students at Chilhowie High are 93% White, 4% Hispanic, 2% African American.

Rate Chilhowie High!

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VAVirginia High School Rankings

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Schools in Chilhowie, VA

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Latest Virginia data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataNewOct 12, 2026

2025–26 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesNewOct 12, 2026

2025–26 SOL test scoresAug 25, 2026

2021–22 school spending dataFeb 16, 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.