Bedford County Schools & Education

Bedford County, Virginia

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

39/100

Higher = better

Rating

Below Average

Graduation Rate

89.0%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

89.0%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 89.0%

Per-Pupil Spending

$6,850

National avg $13,239

State avg $7,941

School Score

39/100

Higher = better

State avg 54/100

Student-Teacher Ratio

N/A

National avg 15.8 : 1

Free Lunch (Median)

N/A

National median 48.2%

State School Rank

#104

of 127 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Bedford County

School Verdict

Bedford County faces educational challenges with a school score of 39/100 and a graduation rate of 89.0%, falling below typical benchmarks.

Funding Context

At $6,850 per pupil, Bedford County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Bedford County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 27% below the Virginia average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 0.0 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 14% lower than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Bedford County, Virginia

Expansive Education Across Bedford County

Bedford County supports a robust educational infrastructure with 22 public schools, including 13 elementary, three middle, and three high schools. A single large school district manages the education of 9,084 students across these diverse facilities. The county also offers three specialized schools to support various learning needs and alternative paths.

Meeting State Standards with Strategic Funding

The county maintains a graduation rate of 89.0%, perfectly matching the Virginia state average and exceeding the national 87.0% benchmark. While per-pupil expenditure is lower at $6,850 compared to the state's $7,941, the overall school score of 52.7 remains competitive within the region. These figures reflect a system that delivers consistent results while maintaining fiscal leaness.

Centralized Excellence in Bedford County Public Schools

Bedford County Public Schools is the sole district, overseeing all 22 campuses and 9,084 enrolled students. The county does not host any charter schools, focusing instead on a traditional public school model that serves the entire community. This large-scale operation allows for a wide range of extracurriculars and specialized academic programs.

A Mix of Suburban and Rural Settings

Bedford County offers a diverse geographic mix with 13 rural schools, five in towns, and four in suburban neighborhoods. Schools range in size significantly, from the large Jefferson Forest High with 1,309 students down to smaller community campuses. The average enrollment of 478 students per school provides a balance between varied resources and manageable class sizes.

Find Your Ideal School District in Bedford

Families moving to Bedford County can choose between quiet rural settings and more active suburban neighborhoods while remaining in a stable school system. The county's consistent graduation rates and large high schools like Staunton River High make it an attractive destination for homebuyers. Invest in a community where educational infrastructure is well-established and broad-reaching.

School Overview

Total Schools

22

in Bedford County

Total Enrollment

9,084

students

School Districts

1

district

Charter Schools

0

0% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary13
Middle3
High3
Other3

1 School District in Bedford County

Bedford County Public Schools

22 schools
9,084 students enrolled

22 Public Schools in Bedford County

JEFFERSON FOREST HIGH

Bedford County Public Schools

9–12High1,309 students
STAUNTON RIVER HIGH

Bedford County Public Schools

9–12High889 students
FOREST MIDDLE

Bedford County Public Schools

6–8Middle870 students
LIBERTY HIGH

Bedford County Public Schools

9–12High726 students
STAUNTON RIVER MIDDLE

Bedford County Public Schools

6–8Middle627 students
LIBERTY MIDDLE

Bedford County Public Schools

6–8Middle535 students
Thomas Jefferson Elementary

Bedford County Public Schools

PK–5Primary510 students
Goodview Elementary

Bedford County Public Schools

PK–5Primary495 students
Bedford Elementary

Bedford County Public Schools

2–5Primary431 students
Forest Elementary

Bedford County Public Schools

PK–5Primary351 students
New London Academy Elementary

Bedford County Public Schools

PK–5Primary333 students
Boonsboro Elementary

Bedford County Public Schools

PK–5Primary331 students
Stewartsville Elementary

Bedford County Public Schools

PK–5Primary330 students
BEDFORD PRIMARY

Bedford County Public Schools

PK–1Primary293 students
Montvale Elementary

Bedford County Public Schools

PK–5Primary253 students
Moneta Elementary

Bedford County Public Schools

PK–5Primary242 students
Huddleston Elementary

Bedford County Public Schools

PK–5Primary212 students
Otter River Elementary

Bedford County Public Schools

PK–5Primary198 students
Big Island Elementary

Bedford County Public Schools

PK–5Primary149 students
SUSIE G. GIBSON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER

Bedford County Public Schools

Vocational students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$6,850

State avg $7,941

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Bedford County rate?
Bedford County has a school score of 39/100, which is considered below average. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Bedford County?
The high school graduation rate in Bedford County is 89.0%, which is above the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Bedford County spend per student?
Bedford County spends $6,850 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Bedford County, Virginia — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Bedford County, Virginia?

Bedford County supports a robust educational infrastructure with 22 public schools, including 13 elementary, three middle, and three high schools. A single large school district manages the education of 9,084 students across these diverse facilities. The county also offers three specialized schools to support various learning needs and alternative paths.

How do schools in Bedford County perform academically?

The county maintains a graduation rate of 89.0%, perfectly matching the Virginia state average and exceeding the national 87.0% benchmark. While per-pupil expenditure is lower at $6,850 compared to the state's $7,941, the overall school score of 52.7 remains competitive within the region. These figures reflect a system that delivers consistent results while maintaining fiscal leaness.

What are the major school districts in Bedford County, Virginia?

Bedford County Public Schools is the sole district, overseeing all 22 campuses and 9,084 enrolled students. The county does not host any charter schools, focusing instead on a traditional public school model that serves the entire community. This large-scale operation allows for a wide range of extracurriculars and specialized academic programs.

What is the school experience like in Bedford County?

Bedford County offers a diverse geographic mix with 13 rural schools, five in towns, and four in suburban neighborhoods. Schools range in size significantly, from the large Jefferson Forest High with 1,309 students down to smaller community campuses. The average enrollment of 478 students per school provides a balance between varied resources and manageable class sizes.

How can I find homes near good schools in Bedford County, Virginia?

Families moving to Bedford County can choose between quiet rural settings and more active suburban neighborhoods while remaining in a stable school system. The county's consistent graduation rates and large high schools like Staunton River High make it an attractive destination for homebuyers. Invest in a community where educational infrastructure is well-established and broad-reaching.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.