Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Charlottesville’s public schools score below 70% of Virginia districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Charlottesville’s districts is 42%, below the Virginia average (54%). The grade covers the public school district serving Charlottesville, 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 about 8 in 10 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.
Charlottesville’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 207 Virginia towns with household incomes within a quarter of Charlottesville’s, its schools beat 22%, lower than their 30% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $21,655 per student, against $17,169 across Virginia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Buford Middle, then Charlottesville High. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Community Lab School, Charlottesville Day School (private), First Baptist Preschool (private), Renaissance School (private) and St. Anne's-Belfield School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
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 Charlottesville’s grade
C: better than 30% of Virginia school districts, #224 of 250 Virginia towns. Both inputs trail the Virginia average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Charlottesville, with each school’s own grade.
5th grade in Charlottesville
Walker Upper Elementary
Grades 5–6 · 570 students · 9:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Charlottesville
Walker Upper Elementary
Grades 5–6 · 570 students · 9:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Charlottesville
Buford Middle
Grades 7–8 · 563 students · 8:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Charlottesville
Buford Middle
Grades 7–8 · 563 students · 8:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Charlottesville
Charlottesville High
Grades 9–12 · 1,438 students · 13:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Charlottesville
Charlottesville High
Grades 9–12 · 1,438 students · 13:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Charlottesville
Charlottesville High
Grades 9–12 · 1,438 students · 13:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Charlottesville
Charlottesville High
Grades 9–12 · 1,438 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Charlottesville’s public schools are run by Charlottesville City Public Schools. 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
Charlottesville vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Virginia towns that share Charlottesville’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | C | Charlottesville City |
Every school in Charlottesville
15 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).
Left off: 4 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Charlottesville Hosp. Ep., Center II, Elementary School #1 and Lugo-McGinness Academy).
Questions about Charlottesville’s schools
Are Charlottesville’s schools good?
On Virginia’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Charlottesville children attend score below 70% of Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #224 of 250 Virginia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 22%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Charlottesville in?
Charlottesville City Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,439 students in 9 schools (2024–25).
Where do Charlottesville kids go to high school?
Charlottesville High, with 1,438 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Charlottesville’s graduation rate?
86% of the class of 2023 in Charlottesville City Public Schools graduated in four years, against 89% across Virginia.
How much does Charlottesville spend per student?
$21,655 in Charlottesville City Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,169 across Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Charlottesville?
Yes: Charlottesville Day School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 204 students), First Baptist Preschool (religious, grades PK–K, 117 students), Renaissance School (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 42 students) and St. Anne's-Belfield School (religious, grades PK–12, 15 students). Charlottesville also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Charlottesville families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Charlottesville → 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.