Harrisonburg city Schools & Education
Harrisonburg city, Virginia
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
53/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
89.4%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
89.4%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 89.0%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,859
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,941
School Score
53/100
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
#63
of 127 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Harrisonburg city
School Verdict
Harrisonburg city performs at an average level with a school score of 53/100 and a solid graduation rate of 89.4%.
Funding Context
At $7,859 per pupil, Harrisonburg city operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Harrisonburg city is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 1% below the Virginia average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 0.4 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 1% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Harrisonburg city, Virginia
Compact and Diverse City School System
Harrisonburg City operates 12 public schools serving a concentrated population of 6,911 students. The city's educational map includes seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and one large high school. Education here is split between two districts, providing both general and technical learning paths.
Strong Graduation Rates in the Valley
Harrisonburg maintains an 89.4% graduation rate, placing it slightly ahead of the Virginia state average. The city invests $7,859 per pupil, which is nearly identical to the state average and helps maintain a school score of 55.1. These metrics indicate a stable and effective educational environment relative to state peers.
Harrisonburg City Public Schools at the Helm
The primary district, Harrisonburg City Public Schools, manages 6,682 students across 10 main campuses. Massanutten Technical Center provides additional specialized capacity, though it reports zero base enrollment. No charter schools exist in the city, ensuring a consistent public education experience for all residents.
Large-Scale Urban Learning Centers
All 12 schools are located in an urban city setting, resulting in an average school size of 691 students. Harrisonburg High is a significant central landmark, enrolling 1,951 students in a single facility. Elementary schools like Smithland also tend to be large, housing 730 students in a vibrant city environment.
Living Near the Heart of the Action
Families seeking an energetic urban environment will appreciate Harrisonburg's well-performing city schools. The central high school model creates a strong sense of community as students from across the city eventually merge into one campus. Look for homes in the city to benefit from a school system that matches state excellence benchmarks.
School Overview
Total Schools
12
in Harrisonburg city
Total Enrollment
6,911
students
School Districts
2
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
2 School Districts in Harrisonburg city
Harrisonburg City Public Schools
Massanutten Technical Center
12 Public Schools in Harrisonburg city
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HARRISONBURG HIGH | Harrisonburg City Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,951 |
| Smithland Elementary | Harrisonburg City Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 730 |
| SKYLINE MIDDLE | Harrisonburg City Public Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 697 |
| THOMAS HARRISON MIDDLE | Harrisonburg City Public Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 693 |
| Stone Spring Elementary | Harrisonburg City Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 557 |
| Bluestone Elementary | Harrisonburg City Public Schools | KG–5 | Primary | 550 |
| Waterman Elementary | Harrisonburg City Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 530 |
| Keister Elementary | Harrisonburg City Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 526 |
| Spotswood Elementary | Harrisonburg City Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 448 |
| Pleasant Valley Elementary | Rockingham County Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 229 |
| MASSANUTTEN TECH CTR | Massanutten Technical Center | — | Vocational | — |
| Harrisonburg H.S. Governor's STEM Academy | Harrisonburg City Public Schools | — | Vocational | — |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,859
State avg $7,941
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Harrisonburg city rate?
What is the graduation rate in Harrisonburg city?
How much does Harrisonburg city spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Harrisonburg city, Virginia — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Harrisonburg city, Virginia?
Harrisonburg City operates 12 public schools serving a concentrated population of 6,911 students. The city's educational map includes seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and one large high school. Education here is split between two districts, providing both general and technical learning paths.
How do schools in Harrisonburg city perform academically?
Harrisonburg maintains an 89.4% graduation rate, placing it slightly ahead of the Virginia state average. The city invests $7,859 per pupil, which is nearly identical to the state average and helps maintain a school score of 55.1. These metrics indicate a stable and effective educational environment relative to state peers.
What are the major school districts in Harrisonburg city, Virginia?
The primary district, Harrisonburg City Public Schools, manages 6,682 students across 10 main campuses. Massanutten Technical Center provides additional specialized capacity, though it reports zero base enrollment. No charter schools exist in the city, ensuring a consistent public education experience for all residents.
What is the school experience like in Harrisonburg city?
All 12 schools are located in an urban city setting, resulting in an average school size of 691 students. Harrisonburg High is a significant central landmark, enrolling 1,951 students in a single facility. Elementary schools like Smithland also tend to be large, housing 730 students in a vibrant city environment.
How can I find homes near good schools in Harrisonburg city, Virginia?
Families seeking an energetic urban environment will appreciate Harrisonburg's well-performing city schools. The central high school model creates a strong sense of community as students from across the city eventually merge into one campus. Look for homes in the city to benefit from a school system that matches state excellence benchmarks.
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.