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Northwood High

Q: Is Northwood High a good school?

Yes! Northwood High is one of the best high schools in the state. It ranks 11 th of 331 Virginia high schools.

Q: How many students attend Northwood High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 204 students attended Northwood High.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Northwood High?

Students at Northwood High are 95% White, 3% Hispanic.

Q: What schools feed into Northwood High?

Northwood High is fed by the following schools: Elementary : Rich Valley Elementary Elementary : Saltville Elementary Middle : Northwood Middle

Public Grades 9-12

11^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 331 Virginia High Schools

Better than 97% of Virginia high schools

Summary

Northwood High is a small public high school in Saltville, a rural town in southwestern Virginia, serving 204 students in grades 9 through 12 as part of Smyth County Public Schools, a district ranked 17th out of 131 in Virginia. Despite roughly 99% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, Northwood High has become one of the highest-performing high schools in Virginia, ranking 11th out of 331 high schools statewide in 2025–2026 (97th percentile, 5 stars). This marks a dramatic turnaround from 2015–2016, when it ranked 252nd out of 321 schools with a 1-star rating.

Northwood outperforms both state and district averages on core SOL tests. In 2025–2026, proficiency rates reached 96.4% in Algebra I, 94.7% in Biology, 93.9% in English Reading, and 87.5% in Geometry—beating the state average by up to 26 points in Biology. The graduation rate of 98.3% far exceeds the state's 92.3%, and the dropout rate of 1.6% is well below the state's 5.0%. Chronic absenteeism (14.0%) is also lower than the state average and far below nearby schools like Marion Senior High (28.1%), Richlands High (25.4%), and Chilhowie High (19.3%). Northwood's statewide rank of 11th places it among the top schools in the region, alongside Holston High (10th) and well ahead of Chilhowie High (31st), Abingdon High (94th), and Marion Senior High (165th).

What truly sets Northwood apart is how well it serves its most vulnerable students. Male students ranked 2nd in Virginia in 2025–2026, disabled students ranked 1st in the state in 2023–2024, and low-income students ranked 10th in 2024–2025. The school also has an excellent student-teacher ratio of 8.7-to-1—the lowest among nearby high schools—with per-pupil spending of $12,396. This combination of small class sizes, strong support, and effective instruction shows that high poverty does not have to limit achievement. Northwood outperforms larger, more affluent schools like Abingdon High and Patrick Henry High despite serving a far higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students.

204

Students ?

8.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,641

Per pupil spending ?

98.5%

Directly certified for free meals (2024-25) ?

All students receive free meals (Community Eligibility, 2024-25)

305 Panther Ln
Saltville, VA 24370

(276) 496-7751

District: Smyth County Public Schools

Feeder schools for Northwood High:

Elementary:	Rich Valley Elementary
	Saltville Elementary
Middle:	Northwood Middle

Racial breakdown:

White:

94.6%

Hispanic:

3.4%

Two or more races:

1.0%

See top rated Virginia high schools

Compare Northwood High to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 21st percentile in 2016 → 97th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Virginia average (94% vs 78% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 3% of Virginia high schools

✓98% graduate in 4 years — above the Virginia average (94%)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school94%

District avg86%

Virginia avg78%

11^th of 331

Virginia public high schools ?

Top 3%▲ up 75 pts since 2016

From bottom 21% (2016) to top 3% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st 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	83.4	11 of 331	96.7%	★★★★★
2025	83.1	9 of 328	97.3%	★★★★★
2024	82.6	12 of 329	96.4%	★★★★★
2023	74.3	55 of 326	83.1%	★★★★☆
2022	50.0	155 of 325	52.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	43.8	172 of 327	47.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	49.1	169 of 327	48.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	50.6	152 of 326	53.4%	★★★☆☆
2017	40.2	212 of 324	34.6%	★★☆☆☆
2016	32.3	252 of 321	21.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	41.5	200 of 322	37.9%	★★☆☆☆
2014	38.9	216 of 322	32.9%	★★☆☆☆
2013	29.9	257 of 321	19.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	43.1	203 of 321	36.8%	★★☆☆☆
2011	33.1	249 of 320	22.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	44.4	204 of 317	35.6%	★★☆☆☆
2009	34.1	242 of 313	22.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	33.0	253 of 316	19.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	37.6	231 of 313	26.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	34.9	239 of 314	23.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	44.4	193 of 308	37.3%	★★☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2024	96.0	1 of 253	99.6%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	80.8	18 of 322	94.4%	★★★★★
2025	73.4	66 of 321	79.4%	★★★★☆
2024	67.1	100 of 322	68.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	66.3	100 of 320	68.8%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	86.1	10 of 324	96.9%	★★★★★
2024	84.1	20 of 320	93.8%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	90.6	2 of 325	99.4%	★★★★★
2025	88.4	4 of 322	98.8%	★★★★★
2024	89.7	3 of 322	99.1%	★★★★★
2023	79.3	29 of 321	91.0%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	73.5	46 of 312	85.3%	★★★★☆
2025	75.8	34 of 313	89.1%	★★★★☆
2024	69.7	65 of 314	79.3%	★★★★☆
2023	58.3	139 of 315	55.9%	★★★☆☆

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)

Disabled (2024)100th percentile+3 vs school

Male (2026)99th percentile+3 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)97th percentile~ school

Female (2026)94th percentile~ school

White (2026)85th percentile-11 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

Algebra I96%+18 vs state

Biology95%+27 vs state

English Reading94%+7 vs state

Geometry88%~ state avg

★

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Schools Near Northwood 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 Algebra II (2026)			SOL Mathematics (2026)	SOL Chemistry (2026)	SOL Biology (2026)				SOL Science (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/reduced lunch (2024-25)	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 8th 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 12th Grade	SOL Mathematics 8th Grade	SOL Chemistry 10th Grade	SOL Biology 9th Grade	SOL Biology 10th Grade	SOL Biology 11th Grade	SOL Biology 12th Grade	SOL Science 8th Grade	SOL Earth Science 9th Grade	SOL Earth Science 10th Grade	SOL Earth Science 11th Grade	SOL Earth Science 12th Grade	SOL English Reading 8th Grade	SOL English Reading 10th Grade	SOL English Reading 11th Grade	SOL English Reading 12th Grade	SOL Geography 8th 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
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	—	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
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	—	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
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	—	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
Richlands High	Public	9-12	138 Tornado Alley	Richlands	24641	Tazewell County	Tazewell County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(276) 964-4602	557	60	9.3	88.5%	541 (97.1%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (1.8%)	62.5	127^th of 331 public high schools	61.6%		68.8	99^th of 328 public high schools	69.8%	28						94.2	88.9	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	100.0	≥ 50%				81.8	67.7	428.0	≥ 50%							≥ 50%	94.9	≥ 50%		71.1	410.0	≥ 50%	≥ 50%		< 50%		≥ 50%			< 50%			$12,293	$583	$11,710
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
Honaker High	Public	8-12	1795 Thompson Creek Rd.	Honaker	24260	Russell County	Russell County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(276) 873-6363	422	30	14.2	89.1%	415 (98.3%)	3 (0.7%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	39.6	246^th of 331 public high schools	25.7%		52.8	180^th of 328 public high schools	45.1%	66	57.6	< 50%			96.1	≥ 50%	≥ 50%			60.0	< 50%		50.0			66.3	< 50%	≥ 50%	68.7	76.2	≥ 50%			71.1	≥ 50%	89.4	≥ 50%	61.1	395.0	< 50%			< 50%	380.0		≥ 50%			398.0			$6,345	$306	$6,039
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
Lebanon High	Public	8-12	105 Charles C Long Drive	Lebanon	24266	Russell County	Russell County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(276) 889-6539	571	44	13.0	90.9%	554 (97.0%)	4 (0.7%)	11 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	40	245^th of 331 public high schools	26.0%		43.1	236^th of 328 public high schools	28.0%	9	40.7	378.0	< 50%		95.8	393.0	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	392.0	≥ 50%	337.0	15.6		< 50%	49.5	< 50%	< 50%	67.3	79.4	372.0	≥ 50%	396.0	73.0	≥ 50%	93.1	60.0	68.1	70.0	≥ 50%	< 50%	447.0	< 50%	60.0	395.0							$8,205	$579	$7,626

Frequently Asked Questions about Northwood High

What schools feed into Northwood High?

Northwood High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Rich Valley Elementary
Elementary : Saltville Elementary
Middle : Northwood Middle

How many students attend Northwood High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 204 students attended Northwood High.

Is Northwood High a good school?

Yes! Northwood High is one of the best high schools in the state. It ranks 11^th of 331 Virginia high schools.

What district is Northwood High in?

Smyth County Public Schools

What is the racial makeup of Northwood High?

Students at Northwood High are 95% White, 3% Hispanic.

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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.