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TrinityEpiscopalChurchBuchananPhoto: DwayneP · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Schools in Buchanan · Botetourt County Public Schools

Buchanan’s public schools outscore 93% of Virginia districts

In Buchanan, 76% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Virginia average (54%). The grade covers the public school district serving Buchanan, 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.

K–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Math proficiency
76%
▲ 22 pts vs VA 54%
2020–21
Graduate on time
92%
▲ 3 pts vs VA 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.3K
▼ 11% vs VA $17.2K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.7
VA 13.9
Schools in town
1
2,737 students on the public path
In brief

Buchanan’s schools, in brief

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,265 per student, against $17,169 across Virginia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then two middle and two high schools

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Buchanan’s grade

A+ Test scoresB+ Graduation

A: better than 93% of Virginia school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the Virginia average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Virginia school districts we grade (133)Better than 93%
Lower resultsHigher results
Virginia towns with similar household incomes (199)Better than 94%
AA+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,217 test results and a graduating class of 382 could put Buchanan anywhere from A to A+. The tests are from spring 2021, when nearly all of Buchanan’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,217 students).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Buchanan, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–5Buchanan ElementaryBotetourt County Public SchoolsA−
6–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressA− to A
9–122 high schoolsDepends on your addressA+

Buchanan’s public schools are run by Botetourt County Public Schools, which also serves Fincastle and Troutville. 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.

Botetourt County Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 11 schools · 4,424 students · 13.7 per teacher (VA 13.9)
$15,265VA $17,169 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2020–21

How students score

Math76%
State average 54.4% · 2217 students tested

Buchanan vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Virginia towns that share Buchanan’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
BuchananABotetourt County

Every school in Buchanan

5 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).

District schools in Buchananby address
Buchanan Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A−
276 students12:1Rate it →
Also serving Buchananin other towns
Read Mountain Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Cloverdale
A−
670 students14:1Rate it →
Central Academy Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Fincastle
A
364 students12:1Rate it →
Lord Botetourt High
High · Grades 9–12 · Daleville
A+
963 students16:1Rate it →
James River High
High · Grades 9–12
A+
464 students15:1Rate it →

Questions about Buchanan’s schools

Are Buchanan’s schools good?

By Virginia’s own tests, yes: the public schools Buchanan children attend outscore 93% of Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 94%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Buchanan in?

Botetourt County Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,424 students in 11 schools (2024–25).

Where do Buchanan kids go to high school?

One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Lord Botetourt High and James River High.

What is Buchanan’s graduation rate?

92% of the class of 2023 in Botetourt County Public Schools graduated in four years, against 89% across Virginia.

How much does Buchanan spend per student?

$15,265 in Botetourt County Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,169 across Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Buchanan families are saying about school.

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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Buchanan → 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.