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Covington, Va - Main StreetPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński · CC BY-SA 3.0
C+
Schools in Covington · Alleghany Highlands Public Schools

Covington’s public schools score below 62% of Virginia districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Covington, 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.

#218of 250 Virginia townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Virginia state tests taken in spring 2021, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Math proficiency
53%
▼ 1 pts vs VA 54%
2020–21
Graduate on time
84%
▼ 5 pts vs VA 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.7K
▼ 8% vs VA $17.2K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.2
VA 13.9 · smaller classes
Schools in town
3
1,903 students on the public path
In brief

Covington’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 114 Virginia towns with household incomes within a quarter of Covington’s, its schools beat 30%, lower than their 38% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,721 per student, against $17,169 across Virginia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Covington Middle, then Alleghany High. Enrollment is up 10% since 2022–23. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Rivermont School - Alleghany Highlands (private) is 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Covington’s grade

B Test scoresC− Graduation

C+: better than 38% of Virginia school districts, #218 of 250 Virginia towns. Both inputs trail the Virginia average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Virginia school districts we grade (133)Better than 38%
Lower resultsHigher results
Virginia towns with similar household incomes (114)Better than 30%
CB+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 893 test results and a graduating class of 223 could put Covington anywhere from C to B+.

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–5Jeter-Watson ElementaryAlleghany Highlands Public SchoolsNo scores
6–8Covington MiddleAlleghany Highlands Public SchoolsC
9–12Alleghany HighAlleghany Highlands Public SchoolsB+

Covington’s public schools are run by Alleghany Highlands Public Schools, which also serves Clifton Forge and Iron Gate. 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.

Alleghany Highlands Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 6 schools · 2,804 students, up 10% since 2022–23 · 13.2 per teacher (VA 13.9)
$15,721VA $17,169 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2020–21

How students score

Math53%
State average 54.4% · 893 students tested

Covington vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
CovingtonC+Alleghany Highlands

Every school in Covington

4 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 Covingtonby address
Jeter-Watson Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
491 students13:1Rate it →
Covington Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
C
594 students14:1Rate it →
Also serving Covingtonin other towns
Alleghany High
High · Grades 9–12
B+
818 students14:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Rivermont School - Alleghany Highlands
Grades K–12
Private · Nonsectarian
34 students7:1Rate it →

Questions about Covington’s schools

Are Covington’s schools good?

On Virginia’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Covington children attend score below 62% of Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #218 of 250 Virginia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 30%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Covington in?

Alleghany Highlands Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,804 students in 6 schools (2024–25).

Where do Covington kids go to high school?

Alleghany High, with 818 students; its own test results earn a B+.

What is Covington’s graduation rate?

84% of the class of 2023 in Alleghany Highlands Public Schools graduated in four years, against 89% across Virginia.

How much does Covington spend per student?

$15,721 in Alleghany Highlands Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,169 across Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Covington?

Yes: Rivermont School - Alleghany Highlands (nonsectarian, grades K–12, 34 students).

Parents talk

What Covington families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Covington → 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.