Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0Appalachia’s public schools outscore 97% of Virginia districts
74% of students in Appalachia’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Virginia average (54%). The grade covers the public school district serving Appalachia, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Virginia, not nationally.
From Virginia state tests taken in spring 2021, when nearly all of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Appalachia’s schools, in brief
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,256 per student, against $17,169 across Virginia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then five middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Appalachia’s grade
A+: better than 97% of Virginia school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the Virginia average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Appalachia, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Appalachia · depends on your address
Central High
Grades 9–12 · 676 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Norton
Union High
Grades 9–12 · 564 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Big Stone Gap
Eastside High
Grades 9–12 · 418 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Coeburn
10th grade in Appalachia · depends on your address
Central High
Grades 9–12 · 676 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Norton
Union High
Grades 9–12 · 564 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Big Stone Gap
Eastside High
Grades 9–12 · 418 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Coeburn
Appalachia’s public schools are run by Wise County Public Schools, which also serves Big Stone Gap, Coeburn, Pound and St. Paul and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
How students score
Appalachia vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Virginia towns that share Appalachia’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Appalachia | A+ | Wise County |
Every school in Appalachia
11 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Virginia’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Appalachia’s schools
Are Appalachia’s schools good?
By Virginia’s own tests, yes: the public schools Appalachia children attend outscore 97% of Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 95%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Appalachia in?
Wise County Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,779 students in 11 schools (2024–25).
Where do Appalachia kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Central High, Union High and Eastside High.
What is Appalachia’s graduation rate?
97% of the class of 2023 in Wise County Public Schools graduated in four years, against 89% across Virginia.
How much does Appalachia spend per student?
$13,256 in Wise County Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,169 across Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Appalachia families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Appalachia → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2020–21, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Virginia. Stars are from neighbors.