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Saltville Elementary

Public Grades PK, KG-5

37^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,111 Virginia Elementary Schools

Better than 97% of Virginia elementary schools

Summary

Saltville Elementary in Saltville, VA, is a small rural PK-5 school serving 189 students within the Smyth County Public Schools district.

Saltville Elementary has become one of Virginia’s standout schools, ranking 37th out of 1,111 elementary schools in 2025-2026 – the top 3 percent statewide with a 5-star rating. What makes this remarkable is that nearly every student qualifies for free/reduced lunch, yet the school ranks 12th in Virginia for its low-income students' performance. The school has climbed steadily from the 43rd percentile in 2015-2016 to its current elite status, with no nearby school showing this sustained improvement. In 2025-2026, Saltville outranks all local elementary schools, including Belfast Elementary (142nd), Rich Valley Elementary (213th), and Chilhowie Elementary (314th).

Academically, Saltville posts SOL proficiency rates well above district and state averages in every subject and grade. Fifth-grade math has hit 100% proficiency for three consecutive years, and science consistently scores between 90% and 100%. Attendance is another strength – chronic absenteeism is just 10.4%, compared to 17.0% districtwide and 14.8% statewide. The school also benefits from a low student-teacher ratio (11.5) and higher per-pupil spending ($12,996) than nearby schools like Chilhowie Elementary ($8,497) and Cedar Bluff Elementary ($9,110). The one area for growth is third-grade reading at 82.86% – still above district and state averages, but the lowest relative to the school’s otherwise 90-100% results. With its combination of high achievement, strong attendance, and effective support for economically disadvantaged students, Saltville Elementary is a clear model of school success in a high-need community.

189

Students ?

11.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,996

Per pupil spending ?

101.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1013 E Main St
Saltville, VA 24370

(276) 496-4751

District: Smyth County Public Schools

Students who attend Saltville Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Northwood Middle
High:	Northwood High

Racial breakdown:

White:

91.5%

Two or more races:

4.2%

Hispanic:

2.6%

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At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 43rd percentile in 2016 → 97th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Virginia average (92% vs 72% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 3% of Virginia elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 54 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school92%

District avg80%

Virginia avg72%

37^th of 1,111

Virginia public elementary schools ?

Top 3%▲ up 53 pts since 2016

From bottom 43% (2016) to top 3% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 7Elementary 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	90.6	37 of 1111	96.7%	★★★★★
2025	89.8	53 of 1110	95.2%	★★★★★
2024	84.3	133 of 1114	88.1%	★★★★☆
2023	85.3	121 of 1114	89.1%	★★★★☆
2022	65.4	403 of 1109	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	50.6	581 of 1103	47.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	64.2	433 of 1105	60.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	64.5	406 of 1097	63.0%	★★★☆☆
2017	63.8	405 of 1099	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2016	49.9	622 of 1096	43.2%	★★☆☆☆
2015	44.3	713 of 1100	35.2%	★★☆☆☆
2014	37.6	776 of 1110	30.1%	★★☆☆☆
2013	39.5	768 of 1120	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2012	48.0	657 of 1117	41.2%	★★☆☆☆
2011	49.0	646 of 1117	42.2%	★★☆☆☆
2010	52.4	597 of 1113	46.4%	★★☆☆☆
2009	34.6	865 of 1082	20.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	34.3	839 of 1081	22.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	53.5	543 of 1083	49.9%	★★★☆☆
2006	55.3	514 of 1071	52.0%	★★★☆☆
2005	46.3	639 of 1062	39.8%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	89.9	35 of 1100	96.8%	★★★★★
2025	87.6	74 of 1096	93.2%	★★★★★
2024	84.8	107 of 1098	90.3%	★★★★★
2023	88.4	55 of 1100	95.0%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	94.4	12 of 1046	98.9%	★★★★★
2024	92.5	20 of 1036	98.1%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	85.8	90 of 1099	91.8%	★★★★★
2025	86.3	88 of 1093	91.9%	★★★★★
2024	81.6	162 of 1101	85.3%	★★★★☆
2023	77.7	220 of 1093	79.9%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	81.9	96 of 974	90.1%	★★★★★
2025	78.9	131 of 973	86.5%	★★★★☆
2024	73.0	220 of 979	77.5%	★★★★☆
2023	72.5	225 of 984	77.1%	★★★★☆

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)

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)99th percentile+4 vs school

Female (2026)97th percentile~ school

Male (2026)92nd percentile-5 vs school

White (2026)90th percentile-7 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

Science95%+26 vs state

Mathematics95%+22 vs state

VA Studies91%+20 vs state

English Reading90%+18 vs state

★

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Schools Near Saltville 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	SOL VA Studies 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Saltville Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1013 E Main St	Saltville	24370	Smyth County	Smyth County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 496-4751	189	16	11.5	101.6%	173 (91.5%)	3 (1.6%)	5 (2.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (4.2%)	90.6	37^th of 1111 public elementary schools	96.7%		89.8	53^rd of 1110 public elementary schools	95.2%	16	94.3	90.9	100.0			95.0	82.9	100.0	90.0				90.9		$12,996	$1,838	$11,157
Chilhowie Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	130 East Lee Hwy	Chilhowie	24319	Smyth County	Smyth County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 646-8220	589	41	14.4	100.0%	536 (91.0%)	17 (2.9%)	26 (4.4%)	1 (0.2%)	5 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.7%)	72.4	314^th of 1111 public elementary schools	71.7%		79.8	218^th of 1110 public elementary schools	80.4%	96	81.1	85.0	84.5			79.6	67.8	83.8	80.6				84.6		$8,497	$1,350	$7,146
Rich Valley Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	196 Long Hollow Rd	Saltville	24370	Smyth County	Smyth County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 624-3314	126	11	11.3	101.6%	124 (98.4%)	1 (0.8%)	1 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	79.1	213^th of 1111 public elementary schools	80.8%		83.5	154^th of 1110 public elementary schools	86.1%	59	65.0	88.2	100.0			91.7	85.0	94.1	83.3				93.8		$12,975	$2,582	$10,393
Belfast Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	646 Belfast School Rd.	Rosedale	24280	Russell County	Russell County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 880-2283	141	10	14.7	91.5%	137 (97.2%)	1 (0.7%)	1 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.4%)	84.1	142^nd of 1111 public elementary schools	87.2%		93.2	16^th of 1110 public elementary schools	98.6%	126	100.0	87.5	82.4			88.2	93.3	87.5	94.1				75.0	≥ 50%	$6,294	$1,079	$5,215
Oak Point Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	138 Oak Point Dr	Marion	24354	Smyth County	Smyth County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 783-2609	352	31	11.3	118.2%	331 (94.0%)	8 (2.3%)	7 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	5 (1.4%)	60.6	467^th of 1111 public elementary schools	58.0%		27.2	860^th of 1110 public elementary schools	22.5%	393	81.6	71.7	76.5			76.5	81.6	69.6	80.4				68.9		$12,216	$1,764	$10,452
Meadowview Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	14050 Glenbrook Ave	Meadowview	24361	Washington County	Washington County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 739-3900	544	42	13.1	75.2%	515 (94.7%)	5 (0.9%)	16 (2.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.3%)	65.5	404^th of 1111 public elementary schools	63.6%		67.4	385^th of 1110 public elementary schools	65.3%	19	74.7	88.7	80.9			62.9	73.6	81.4	77.5				81.3		$10,933	$2,024	$8,910
Cedar Bluff Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1089 Cedar Valley Drive	Cedar Bluff	24609	Tazewell County	Tazewell County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 963-5765	308	22	14.0	91.6%	294 (95.5%)	2 (0.6%)	3 (1.0%)	3 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.9%)	59.6	483^rd of 1111 public elementary schools	56.5%		71.3	338^th of 1110 public elementary schools	69.5%	145	69.4	79.6	63.3			67.4	79.4	85.2	83.7				72.2		$9,110	$1,815	$7,295
Honaker Elementary	Public	PK, KG-7	50 Honaker Elementary Dr.	Honaker	24260	Russell County	Russell County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 873-6301	712	54	13.2	91.2%	695 (97.6%)	5 (0.7%)	3 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	7 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	69.3	359^th of 1111 public elementary schools	67.7%		78.9	232^nd of 1110 public elementary schools	79.1%	127	84.5	80.9	85.5	50.0	78.2	90.3	73.8	91.2	85.5	72.7	71.8	76.9	80.6		$7,475	$942	$6,533
Smyth County Virtual	Public, Virtual	K-2	121 Bagley Circle	Marion	24354	Smyth County	Smyth County Public Schools	No	(n/a)	Yes	(n/a)	(276) 783-3791	339	20	16.9		132 (38.9%)	102 (30.1%)	49 (14.5%)	9 (2.7%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (13.0%)								(n/a)
Richlands Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	309 East Front Street	Richlands	24641	Tazewell County	Tazewell County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 964-4112	576	42	13.7	90.5%	554 (96.2%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (3.0%)	77	251^st of 1111 public elementary schools	77.4%		70.1	351^st of 1110 public elementary schools	68.4%	100	79.0	81.6	87.9			73.6	75.3	88.9	89.0				89.9		$9,850	$1,554	$8,296

Frequently Asked Questions about Saltville Elementary

How many students attend Saltville Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 189 students attended Saltville Elementary.

What schools do graduates of Saltville Elementary attend?

Students who attend Saltville Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Northwood Middle
High : Northwood High

Is Saltville Elementary a good school?

Yes! Saltville Elementary is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 37^th of 1111 Virginia elementary schools.

What district is Saltville Elementary in?

Smyth County Public Schools

What is the racial makeup of Saltville Elementary?

Students at Saltville Elementary are 92% White, 4% Two or more races, 3% Hispanic, 2% African American.

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Schools in Saltville, VA

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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.