Photo: Alma mater · CC BY-SA 3.0Harrisonburg’s public schools score below 76% of Virginia districts on tests and graduation
In Harrisonburg, 37% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Virginia average (54%). The grade covers the public school district serving Harrisonburg, 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 6 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.
Harrisonburg’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 221 Virginia towns with household incomes within a quarter of Harrisonburg’s, its schools beat 15%, lower than their 24% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,625 per student, against $17,169 across Virginia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then two middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Eastern Mennonite School (private) and Minnick School-Harrisonburg (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 Harrisonburg’s grade
C−: better than 24% of Virginia school districts, #230 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 Harrisonburg, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Harrisonburg · depends on your address
Thomas Harrison Middle
Grades 6–8 · 771 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Skyline Middle
Grades 6–8 · 738 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Harrisonburg · depends on your address
Thomas Harrison Middle
Grades 6–8 · 771 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Skyline Middle
Grades 6–8 · 738 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Harrisonburg · depends on your address
Thomas Harrison Middle
Grades 6–8 · 771 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Skyline Middle
Grades 6–8 · 738 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Harrisonburg · depends on your address
Rocktown High
Grades 9–12 · 1,011 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Harrisonburg High
Grades 9–12 · 998 students · 13:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Harrisonburg · depends on your address
Rocktown High
Grades 9–12 · 1,011 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Harrisonburg High
Grades 9–12 · 998 students · 13:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Harrisonburg · depends on your address
Rocktown High
Grades 9–12 · 1,011 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Harrisonburg High
Grades 9–12 · 998 students · 13:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Harrisonburg · depends on your address
Rocktown High
Grades 9–12 · 1,011 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Harrisonburg High
Grades 9–12 · 998 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Harrisonburg’s public schools are run by Harrisonburg 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
Harrisonburg vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Virginia towns that share Harrisonburg’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Harrisonburg | C− | Harrisonburg City |
Every school in Harrisonburg
13 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: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Massanutten Tech Ctr and Harrisonburg H.S. Governor's STEM Academy).
Questions about Harrisonburg’s schools
Are Harrisonburg’s schools good?
On Virginia’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Harrisonburg children attend score below 76% of Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #230 of 250 Virginia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 15%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Harrisonburg in?
Harrisonburg City Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 6,652 students in 10 schools (2024–25).
Where do Harrisonburg kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Rocktown High and Harrisonburg High.
What is Harrisonburg’s graduation rate?
86% of the class of 2023 in Harrisonburg City Public Schools graduated in four years, against 89% across Virginia.
How much does Harrisonburg spend per student?
$16,625 in Harrisonburg City Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,169 across Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Harrisonburg?
Yes: Eastern Mennonite School (religious, grades K–12, 374 students) and Minnick School-Harrisonburg (special education, grades 1–12, 24 students).
Parents talk
What Harrisonburg families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Harrisonburg → 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.