Top Rankings
Nelson County School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Virginia for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 4 public schools serving 1,495 students in Nelson County School District. This district's average testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Virginia.
Public Schools in Nelson County School District have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the Virginia public school average of 54%), and reading proficiency score of 63% (versus the 70% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 31% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Virginia public school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (VA)
# Schools
4 Schools
2,143 Schools
# Students
1,495 Students
1,257,585 Students
# Teachers
125 Teachers
92,187 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Nelson County School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 135 school districts in Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2020-2021 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 85-89% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#92 out of 135 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)42%
54%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)62%
69%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)48%
59%
Graduation Rate
85-89%
89%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.49
0.72
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
8%
% Hispanic
13%
19%
% Black
12%
22%
% White
70%
44%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
7%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $17,947 is higher than the state median of $15,502. The school district revenue/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $17,786 is higher than the state median of $15,257. The school district spending/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$27 MM
$19,496 MM
Spending
$27 MM
$19,187 MM
Revenue / Student
$17,947
$15,502
Spending / Student
$17,786
$15,257
Best Nelson County School District Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Nelson County High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
6919 Thomas Nelson Hwy
Lovingston, VA 22949
(434) 263-8317
Lovingston, VA 22949
(434) 263-8317
Grades: 9-12
| 485 students
Rank: #22.
Nelson Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
6925 Thomas Nelson Highway
Lovingston, VA 22949
(434) 263-4801
Lovingston, VA 22949
(434) 263-4801
Grades: 6-8
| 359 students
Rank: #33.
Rockfish River Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
200 Chapel Hollow Rd
Afton, VA 22920
(434) 361-1791
Afton, VA 22920
(434) 361-1791
Grades: PK-5
| 292 students
Rank: #44.
Tye River Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
5198 Thomas Nelson Hwy
Arrington, VA 22922
(434) 263-8960
Arrington, VA 22922
(434) 263-8960
Grades: PK-5
| 359 students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Nelson County School District?
Nelson County School District manages 4 public schools serving 1,495 students.
What is the rank of Nelson County School District?
Nelson County School District is ranked #91 out of 135 school districts in Virginia (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2020-2021 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Virginia school districts for: Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Nelson County School District?
70% of Nelson County School District students are White, 13% of students are Hispanic, 12% of students are Black, and 5% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Nelson County School District?
Nelson County School District has a student/teacher ratio of 12:1, which is lower than the Virginia state average of 14:1.
What is Nelson County School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $17,786 is higher than the state median of $15,257. The school district spending/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
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