Wise County Schools & Education

Wise County, Virginia

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

67/100

Higher = better

Rating

Average

Graduation Rate

95.0%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

95.0%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 89.0%

Per-Pupil Spending

$7,319

National avg $13,239

State avg $7,941

School Score

67/100

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

#25

of 127 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Wise County

School Verdict

Wise County performs at an average level with a school score of 67/100 and a solid graduation rate of 95.0%.

Funding Context

At $7,319 per pupil, Wise County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Wise County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 24% above the Virginia average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 6.0 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 8% lower than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Wise County, Virginia

Extensive Education Network in Wise County

Wise County operates 14 public schools, serving a large student population of 5,913 across two districts. The landscape includes five elementary, three middle, and three high schools, along with three alternative or specialized facilities. This diverse infrastructure supports students across a mix of town and rural environments.

Stellar Graduation Outcomes in the Mountains

Wise County achieves a remarkable 95.0% graduation rate, far exceeding the national average of 87%. Despite spending $7,319 per pupil—which is lower than the state and national averages—the county maintains a strong school score of 56.8. This efficiency demonstrates a high return on educational investment for the community.

Wise County Public Schools Dominance

Wise County Public Schools manages nearly 100% of the county's students across 13 of the 14 campuses. There are no charter schools in the county, focusing all resources on the traditional public system. The Regional Learning Academy provides additional specialized support for the county's student body.

A Blend of Town and Rural Campuses

Ten schools are located in town settings while four are rural, with an average enrollment of 538 students. Union Primary is the largest school with 861 students, whereas Union Middle offers a slightly smaller community of 583. The county provides a classic Appalachian school experience, balancing larger town hubs with smaller rural outposts.

Find Your Home Near Elite Graduation Rates

With a 95% graduation rate, Wise County is a premier choice for families looking for academic excellence in a town or rural setting. Buyers can focus their search near the Union school complex or Central High for convenient access. Let the county's strong academic performance guide your next home purchase.

School Overview

Total Schools

14

in Wise County

Total Enrollment

5,913

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

Elementary5
Middle3
High3
Other3

2 School Districts in Wise County

Wise County Public Schools

13 schools
5,913 students

REGIONAL LEARNING ACADEMY/WISE CO

1 school
0 students

14 Public Schools in Wise County

UNION PRIMARY

Wise County Public Schools

PK–4Primary861 students
CENTRAL HIGH

Wise County Public Schools

9–12High674 students
WISE PRIMARY

Wise County Public Schools

PK–4Primary607 students
UNION HIGH

Wise County Public Schools

9–12High601 students
UNION MIDDLE

Wise County Public Schools

5–8Middle583 students
J.W. ADAMS COMBINED

Wise County Public Schools

PK–8Primary504 students
St. Paul Elementary

Wise County Public Schools

PK–8Primary469 students
COEBURN PRIMARY

Wise County Public Schools

PK–4Primary466 students
L.F. ADDINGTON MIDDLE

Wise County Public Schools

5–8Middle451 students
EASTSIDE HIGH

Wise County Public Schools

9–12High390 students
COEBURN MIDDLE

Wise County Public Schools

5–8Middle307 students
REGIONAL LEARNING ACADEMY/WISE CO

REGIONAL LEARNING ACADEMY/WISE CO

Alternative students
WISE COUNTY CAREER-TECHNICAL CENTER

Wise County Public Schools

Vocational students
WISE CO. ALTERNATIVE ED. CTR.

Wise County Public Schools

Alternative students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$7,319

State avg $7,941

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Wise County rate?
Wise County has a school score of 67/100, 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 Wise County?
The high school graduation rate in Wise County is 95.0%, 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 Wise County spend per student?
Wise County spends $7,319 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 Wise County, Virginia — FAQ

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

Wise County operates 14 public schools, serving a large student population of 5,913 across two districts. The landscape includes five elementary, three middle, and three high schools, along with three alternative or specialized facilities. This diverse infrastructure supports students across a mix of town and rural environments.

How do schools in Wise County perform academically?

Wise County achieves a remarkable 95.0% graduation rate, far exceeding the national average of 87%. Despite spending $7,319 per pupil—which is lower than the state and national averages—the county maintains a strong school score of 56.8. This efficiency demonstrates a high return on educational investment for the community.

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

Wise County Public Schools manages nearly 100% of the county's students across 13 of the 14 campuses. There are no charter schools in the county, focusing all resources on the traditional public system. The Regional Learning Academy provides additional specialized support for the county's student body.

What is the school experience like in Wise County?

Ten schools are located in town settings while four are rural, with an average enrollment of 538 students. Union Primary is the largest school with 861 students, whereas Union Middle offers a slightly smaller community of 583. The county provides a classic Appalachian school experience, balancing larger town hubs with smaller rural outposts.

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

With a 95% graduation rate, Wise County is a premier choice for families looking for academic excellence in a town or rural setting. Buyers can focus their search near the Union school complex or Central High for convenient access. Let the county's strong academic performance guide your next home purchase.

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.