Caroline County Schools & Education
Caroline County, Virginia
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
33/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
88.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
88.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 89.0%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,580
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,941
School Score
33/100
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
#121
of 127 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Caroline County
School Verdict
Caroline County faces educational challenges with a school score of 33/100 and a graduation rate of 88.0%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $6,580 per pupil, Caroline County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Caroline County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 38% below the Virginia average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 1.0 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 17% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Caroline County, Virginia
Efficient Education Across Caroline County
Caroline County operates five public schools that serve a total student body of 4,337. The infrastructure includes three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, all managed by a single district. This concentrated setup allows for large, centralized campuses that serve the entire county population.
Stable Performance and Growing Outcomes
The county reports an 88.0% graduation rate, placing it just above the national average of 87.0% and slightly below the state's 89.0%. Spending remains modest at $6,580 per pupil compared to the state average of $7,941. With a composite school score of 51.6, the county performs better than the national median of 50.0.
A Single District Serving All Students
Caroline County Public Schools manages the entire local education landscape with no charter school competition. The district serves 4,337 students, focusing heavily on a traditional K-12 pathway. Caroline High School stands as the largest single institution, housing over 1,200 students on its campus.
Rural Roots with Large Campus Sizes
While four of the five schools are in rural settings, they maintain a high average enrollment of 867 students per school. Caroline High leads the county with 1,251 students, while Madison Elementary provides a more mid-sized experience with 466 students. This structure combines the feel of a rural community with the resources of a large-scale school environment.
Find Your Home in a Country Setting
Prospective residents often choose Caroline County for its rural charm and centralized school system. Proximity to the county's core schools is a major factor for local home buyers seeking a balance of space and community. Look for properties that offer easy access to the main education corridor for a convenient daily commute.
School Overview
Total Schools
5
in Caroline County
Total Enrollment
4,337
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
1 School District in Caroline County
Caroline County Public Schools
5 Public Schools in Caroline County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAROLINE HIGH | Caroline County Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,251 |
| CAROLINE MIDDLE | Caroline County Public Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 973 |
| Lewis and Clark Elementary | Caroline County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 890 |
| Bowling Green Elementary | Caroline County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 757 |
| Madison Elementary | Caroline County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 466 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,580
State avg $7,941
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Caroline County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
Search on Zillow →Find a Tutor in Caroline County
Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.
Find a Tutor →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Caroline County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Caroline County?
How much does Caroline County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Caroline County, Virginia — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Caroline County, Virginia?
Caroline County operates five public schools that serve a total student body of 4,337. The infrastructure includes three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, all managed by a single district. This concentrated setup allows for large, centralized campuses that serve the entire county population.
How do schools in Caroline County perform academically?
The county reports an 88.0% graduation rate, placing it just above the national average of 87.0% and slightly below the state's 89.0%. Spending remains modest at $6,580 per pupil compared to the state average of $7,941. With a composite school score of 51.6, the county performs better than the national median of 50.0.
What are the major school districts in Caroline County, Virginia?
Caroline County Public Schools manages the entire local education landscape with no charter school competition. The district serves 4,337 students, focusing heavily on a traditional K-12 pathway. Caroline High School stands as the largest single institution, housing over 1,200 students on its campus.
What is the school experience like in Caroline County?
While four of the five schools are in rural settings, they maintain a high average enrollment of 867 students per school. Caroline High leads the county with 1,251 students, while Madison Elementary provides a more mid-sized experience with 466 students. This structure combines the feel of a rural community with the resources of a large-scale school environment.
How can I find homes near good schools in Caroline County, Virginia?
Prospective residents often choose Caroline County for its rural charm and centralized school system. Proximity to the county's core schools is a major factor for local home buyers seeking a balance of space and community. Look for properties that offer easy access to the main education corridor for a convenient daily commute.
Counties with Similar School Profile
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.