Smyth County Schools & Education

Smyth County, Virginia

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

56/100

Higher = better

Rating

Average

Graduation Rate

91.0%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

91.0%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 89.0%

Per-Pupil Spending

$7,577

National avg $13,239

State avg $7,941

School Score

56/100

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

#52

of 127 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Smyth County

School Verdict

Smyth County performs at an average level with a school score of 56/100 and a solid graduation rate of 91.0%.

Funding Context

At $7,577 per pupil, Smyth County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Smyth County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 4% above the Virginia average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 2.0 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 5% lower than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Smyth County, Virginia

Comprehensive Schooling in Smyth County

Smyth County operates 15 public schools, including seven elementary and four high schools. Two districts manage the education of 3,981 local students across a mix of town and rural campuses.

Outperforming State Averages in Graduation

Smyth County delivers a 91.0% graduation rate, beating both the state and national averages. The county's school score of 55.3 is supported by a per-pupil expenditure of $7,577.

Local Focus via Smyth County Public Schools

Smyth County Public Schools is the primary district, educating all 3,981 students across 14 schools. There are zero charter schools, maintaining a tradition of centralized public education.

A Mix of Rural and Town Learning

The county features nine rural schools and six schools in town settings, averaging 306 students per campus. Marion Senior High is the largest institution with 638 students, followed by Chilhowie Elementary with 543.

Invest in a Community Focused on Success

With graduation rates exceeding 90%, Smyth County is a smart choice for families who value academic results. Explore residential options in Marion or Chilhowie to secure a place in these high-performing school zones.

School Overview

Total Schools

15

in Smyth County

Total Enrollment

3,981

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

Elementary7
Middle3
High4
Other1

2 School Districts in Smyth County

Smyth County Public Schools

14 schools
3,981 students

Southwest Virginia Mental Health Institute

1 school
0 students

15 Public Schools in Smyth County

MARION SENIOR HIGH

Smyth County Public Schools

9–12High638 students
Chilhowie Elementary

Smyth County Public Schools

PK–5Primary543 students
MARION MIDDLE

Smyth County Public Schools

6–8Middle431 students
CHILHOWIE HIGH

Smyth County Public Schools

9–12High393 students
Oak Point Elementary

Smyth County Public Schools

PK–5Primary359 students
Marion Elementary

Smyth County Public Schools

PK–5Primary307 students
CHILHOWIE MIDDLE

Smyth County Public Schools

6–8Middle306 students
NORTHWOOD HIGH

Smyth County Public Schools

9–12High240 students
Saltville Elementary

Smyth County Public Schools

PK–5Primary195 students
Atkins Elementary

Smyth County Public Schools

PK–5Primary187 students
NORTHWOOD MIDDLE

Smyth County Public Schools

6–8Middle151 students
Rich Valley Elementary

Smyth County Public Schools

PK–5Primary130 students
Sugar Grove Elementary

Smyth County Public Schools

PK–5Primary101 students
SOUTHWESTERN VA MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE

Southwest Virginia Mental Health Institute

6–12Special Education students
Smyth County Career & Technical Center

Smyth County Public Schools

Vocational students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$7,577

State avg $7,941

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Smyth County rate?
Smyth County has a school score of 56/100, which is considered 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 Smyth County?
The high school graduation rate in Smyth County is 91.0%, 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 Smyth County spend per student?
Smyth County spends $7,577 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 Smyth County, Virginia — FAQ

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

Smyth County operates 15 public schools, including seven elementary and four high schools. Two districts manage the education of 3,981 local students across a mix of town and rural campuses.

How do schools in Smyth County perform academically?

Smyth County delivers a 91.0% graduation rate, beating both the state and national averages. The county's school score of 55.3 is supported by a per-pupil expenditure of $7,577.

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

Smyth County Public Schools is the primary district, educating all 3,981 students across 14 schools. There are zero charter schools, maintaining a tradition of centralized public education.

What is the school experience like in Smyth County?

The county features nine rural schools and six schools in town settings, averaging 306 students per campus. Marion Senior High is the largest institution with 638 students, followed by Chilhowie Elementary with 543.

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

With graduation rates exceeding 90%, Smyth County is a smart choice for families who value academic results. Explore residential options in Marion or Chilhowie to secure a place in these high-performing school zones.

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.