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J.W. Adams Combined

Public Grades PK, KG-8

54^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,111 Virginia Elementary Schools

Better than 95% of Virginia elementary schools

Summary

J.W. Adams Combined is a PK–8 school in Pound, Virginia, serving 523 students in Wise County Public Schools, a district ranked 2nd out of 131 in the state. The school itself ranks 54th out of 1,111 Virginia schools in 2025-2026—the 95th percentile—earning a 5-star rating. It has earned 5 stars in seven of the last ten school years and never dropped below 4 stars, climbing from 272nd in 2015-2016 to its current rank. As a combined PK–8 school, it serves students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade in one building, avoiding the elementary-to-middle school transition that many nearby students face.

What makes J.W. Adams most impressive is its success with students who often face the greatest barriers. About 86% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, yet the school's low-income students ranked 14th out of 1,040 schools statewide (99th percentile) in 2025-2026, and disabled students ranked 11th out of 420. Academic results far exceed state averages: 100% of 8th graders passed Algebra I, 97.7% passed 8th grade reading, and 90% passed 8th grade math versus 46.9% statewide. Chronic absenteeism is just 9.5%, compared to 15.0% for the district and 14.8% for the state. Nearby Ridgeview Elementary had a 28.4% chronic absenteeism rate, Union Primary 20.8%, and Wise Primary 11.9%; only Norton Elementary (9.6%) came close.

Strong results extend across both elementary and middle grades, though a few areas are worth watching. Female students ranked 12th statewide while males ranked 78th, and subjects like 5th grade math and 6th grade reading fall slightly below district averages. The school spends about $9,835 per student with a 12.5 student-teacher ratio—more than Coeburn Primary but less than Norton Elementary—which suggests its success comes from effective teaching and stability rather than high spending alone. For families, J.W. Adams offers a rare combination: top-tier academic performance, very low absenteeism, and exceptional outcomes for students from all economic backgrounds, making it one of the strongest school options in the region.

523

Students ?

12.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,013

Per pupil spending ?

85.7%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

10824 Orby Cantrell Hwy
Pound, VA 24279

(276) 796-5419

District: Wise County Public Schools

Students who attend J.W. Adams Combined usually attend:

Middle:	Coeburn Middle
	L.F. Addington Middle
	Union Middle
High:	Central High
	Eastside High
	Union High

Racial breakdown:

White:

89.7%

African American:

4.0%

Hispanic:

3.1%

See top rated Virginia elementary schools

Compare J.W. Adams Combined to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 75th percentile in 2016 → 95th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Virginia average (92% vs 70% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 5% of Virginia elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 20 percentile points since 2016

Worth a look

!Near the bottom of Wise County Public Schools's ranking

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school92%

District avg88%

Virginia avg70%

Elementary school

54^th of 1,111

Virginia public elementary schools ?

Top 5%▲ up 20 pts since 2016

From top 25% (2016) to top 5% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

2^nd of 416

Virginia public middle schools ?

Top 1%▲ up 7 pts since 2016

From top 7% (2016) to top 1% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

4^th of 5Elementary Schools in the Wise County Public Schools

2^nd of 131Wise 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	89.2	54 of 1111	95.1%	★★★★★
2025	82.9	164 of 1110	85.2%	★★★★☆
2024	92.1	22 of 1114	98.0%	★★★★★
2023	88.5	65 of 1114	94.2%	★★★★★
2022	93.0	16 of 1109	98.6%	★★★★★
2021	88.5	96 of 1103	91.3%	★★★★★
2019	85.3	79 of 1105	92.9%	★★★★★
2018	83.1	109 of 1097	90.1%	★★★★★
2017	78.4	171 of 1099	84.4%	★★★★☆
2016	72.3	272 of 1096	75.2%	★★★★☆
2015	73.8	239 of 1100	78.3%	★★★★☆
2014	62.7	400 of 1110	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2013	48.1	627 of 1120	44.0%	★★☆☆☆
2012	57.1	489 of 1117	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2011	65.1	367 of 1117	67.1%	★★★☆☆
2010	67.2	322 of 1113	71.1%	★★★★☆
2009	78.7	123 of 1082	88.6%	★★★★☆
2008	80.7	90 of 1081	91.7%	★★★★★
2007	65.3	362 of 1083	66.6%	★★★☆☆
2006	61.6	412 of 1071	61.5%	★★★☆☆
2005	58.5	455 of 1062	57.2%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	90.1	11 of 420	97.4%	★★★★★
2024	95.4	3 of 355	99.2%	★★★★★
2023	91.0	11 of 324	96.6%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	92.5	12 of 1100	98.9%	★★★★★
2025	89.5	43 of 1096	96.1%	★★★★★
2024	92.1	17 of 1098	98.5%	★★★★★
2023	90.2	37 of 1100	96.6%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	95.4	14 of 1040	98.7%	★★★★★
2025	91.3	29 of 1046	97.2%	★★★★★
2024	96.4	6 of 1036	99.4%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	86.5	78 of 1099	92.9%	★★★★★
2025	72.3	313 of 1093	71.4%	★★★★☆
2024	90.9	33 of 1101	97.0%	★★★★★
2023	82.9	146 of 1093	86.6%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	79.3	131 of 974	86.6%	★★★★☆
2025	72.9	230 of 973	76.4%	★★★★☆
2024	85.7	44 of 979	95.5%	★★★★★
2023	78.1	137 of 984	86.1%	★★★★☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	93.1	2 of 416	99.5%	★★★★★
2025	94.3	2 of 419	99.5%	★★★★★
2024	93.6	3 of 417	99.3%	★★★★★
2023	92.8	4 of 422	99.1%	★★★★★
2022	89.9	7 of 415	98.3%	★★★★★
2021	88.0	12 of 419	97.1%	★★★★★
2019	87.7	7 of 424	98.3%	★★★★★
2018	84.2	12 of 413	97.1%	★★★★★
2017	83.4	22 of 415	94.7%	★★★★★
2016	81.2	29 of 409	92.9%	★★★★★
2015	75.6	56 of 412	86.4%	★★★★☆
2014	71.8	69 of 416	83.4%	★★★★☆
2013	75.7	53 of 416	87.3%	★★★★☆
2012	76.8	33 of 413	92.0%	★★★★★
2011	66.8	85 of 413	79.4%	★★★★☆
2010	69.8	70 of 408	82.8%	★★★★☆
2009	62.8	104 of 390	73.3%	★★★★☆
2008	51.8	185 of 391	52.7%	★★★☆☆
2007	50.8	190 of 387	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2006	64.9	93 of 383	75.7%	★★★★☆
2005	57.2	169 of 340	50.3%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	97.1	2 of 292	99.3%	★★★★★
2023	99.5	1 of 278	99.6%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	91.8	4 of 409	99.0%	★★★★★
2025	93.2	3 of 403	99.3%	★★★★★
2024	90.9	7 of 407	98.3%	★★★★★
2023	90.7	8 of 411	98.1%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	96.9	4 of 401	99.0%	★★★★★
2025	98.8	2 of 403	99.5%	★★★★★
2024	98.7	2 of 402	99.5%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	93.0	4 of 410	99.0%	★★★★★
2025	96.2	1 of 404	99.8%	★★★★★
2024	95.5	2 of 407	99.5%	★★★★★
2023	94.1	6 of 409	98.5%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	90.0	4 of 400	99.0%	★★★★★
2025	91.6	4 of 400	99.0%	★★★★★
2024	91.0	5 of 396	98.7%	★★★★★
2023	89.3	5 of 402	98.8%	★★★★★

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

Female (2026)99th percentile+4 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)99th percentile+4 vs school

Disabled (2026)97th percentile~ school

Male (2026)93rd percentile~ school

White (2026)87th percentile-9 vs school

Middle school

Disabled (2026)99th percentile~ school

Male (2026)99th percentile~ school

Female (2026)99th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)99th percentile~ school

White (2026)99th percentile~ school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

Algebra I100%+7 vs state

English Reading94%+22 vs state

Civics and Economics94%+24 vs state

Mathematics91%+25 vs state

Science88%+22 vs state

VA Studies86%+15 vs state

★

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Schools Near J.W. Adams Combined

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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 Algebra I (2026)	SOL Mathematics (2026)						SOL Science (2026)		SOL English Reading (2026)						SOL Civics and Economics (2026)	SOL VA Studies (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 Algebra I 8th Grade	SOL Mathematics 3rd Grade	SOL Mathematics 4th Grade	SOL Mathematics 5th Grade	SOL Mathematics 6th Grade	SOL Mathematics 7th Grade	SOL Mathematics 8th Grade	SOL Science 5th Grade	SOL Science 8th 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 English Reading 8th 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
J.W. Adams Combined	Public	PK, KG-8	10824 Orby Cantrell Hwy	Pound	24279	Wise County	Wise County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 796-5419	523	42	12.5	85.7%	469 (89.7%)	21 (4.0%)	16 (3.1%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (2.7%)	89.2	54^th of 1111 public elementary schools	95.1%		82.9	164^th of 1110 public elementary schools	85.2%	110	100.0	93.2	95.9	85.7	93.3	80.0	90.0	80.0	95.4	94.9	95.9	94.3	88.9	93.8	97.7	93.6	85.7	$9,013	$581	$8,432
Wise Primary	Public	PK, KG-4	323 Railroad Ave SE	Wise	24293	Wise County	Wise County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 328-8019	603	45	13.4	87.2%	524 (86.9%)	20 (3.3%)	24 (4.0%)	9 (1.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (4.1%)	84.4	138^th of 1111 public elementary schools	87.6%		85.2	120^th of 1110 public elementary schools	89.2%	18		85.7	84.4							87.0	90.0						90.0	$8,878	$1,019	$7,860
Ridgeview Elementary	Public	PK, KG-4	300 Wolfpack Way	Clintwood	24228	Dickenson County	Dickenson County Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(276) 835-1602	667	58	11.5	96.0%	644 (96.6%)	4 (0.6%)	10 (1.5%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (1.2%)	65.1	413^th of 1111 public elementary schools	62.8%		64.8	422^nd of 1110 public elementary schools	62.0%	9		86.7	75.6							75.9	78.9						71.5	$11,227	$1,516	$9,711
Norton Elementary	Public	PK, KG-7	205 E Park Ave	Norton	24273	Norton city	Norton City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 679-0971	527	39	13.6	—	455 (86.3%)	15 (2.8%)	12 (2.3%)	4 (0.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (7.6%)	59.8	478^th of 1111 public elementary schools	57.0%		54.3	549^th of 1110 public elementary schools	50.5%	71		78.6	81.0	82.0	75.4	79.5		66.0		60.7	77.6	68.0	75.4	83.1		78.7	87.9	$10,281	$53	$10,228
Coeburn Primary	Public	PK, KG-4	332 School House Hill Dr.	Coeburn	24230	Wise County	Wise County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 395-6100	420	35	12.0	87.6%	369 (87.9%)	15 (3.6%)	12 (2.9%)	3 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (4.8%)	92.8	15^th of 1111 public elementary schools	98.6%		87.8	79^th of 1110 public elementary schools	92.9%	64		96.5	98.7							91.2	93.2						91.9	$8,679	$900	$7,778
Union Primary	Public	PK, KG-4	2945 Second Avenue East	Big Stone Gap	24219	Wise County	Wise County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 523-4900	809	61	13.2	90.1%	721 (89.1%)	29 (3.6%)	11 (1.4%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	47 (5.8%)	89.7	49^th of 1111 public elementary schools	95.6%		86.7	92^nd of 1110 public elementary schools	91.7%	43		91.7	94.3							83.5	92.7						93.5	$8,152	$808	$7,343

Frequently Asked Questions about J.W. Adams Combined

What is the racial makeup of J.W. Adams Combined?

Students at J.W. Adams Combined are 90% White, 4% African American, 3% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races.

How many students attend J.W. Adams Combined?

In the 2024-25 school year, 523 students attended J.W. Adams Combined.

Is J.W. Adams Combined a good school?

Yes! J.W. Adams Combined is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 54^th of 1111 Virginia elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of J.W. Adams Combined attend?

Students who attend J.W. Adams Combined usually go on to attend:

Middle : Coeburn Middle
Middle : L.F. Addington Middle
Middle : Union Middle
High : Central High
High : Eastside High
High : Union High

What district is J.W. Adams Combined in?

Wise County Public Schools

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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.