Carter Glass House · Photo: Richard Cheek, Photographer · Public domainLynchburg’s public schools score below 87% of Virginia districts on tests and graduation
36% of students in Lynchburg’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Virginia average (54%). The grade covers the public school district serving Lynchburg, 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.
Lynchburg’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 205 Virginia towns with household incomes within a quarter of Lynchburg’s, its schools beat 6%, lower than their 13% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Spending, and where it came from
The district spent $17,527 per student in FY2024, against $17,169 across Virginia. 22% of its revenue that year was federal (Virginia 10%), in the last year of pandemic relief. Districts ↓
11 elementary schools, then three middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
New Covenant Schools (private), Virginia Episcopal School (private), Montessori Childrens House (private), Rivermont Lynchburg North (private), New Vistas School (private) and Bridges Treatment Center (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 Lynchburg’s grade
D: better than 13% of Virginia school districts, #239 of 250 Virginia towns. Both inputs trail the Virginia average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Lynchburg, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Lynchburg · depends on your address
Sandusky Middle
Grades 6–8 · 583 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation
Grades 6–8 · 531 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Linkhorne Middle
Grades 6–8 · 519 students · 12:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Lynchburg · depends on your address
Sandusky Middle
Grades 6–8 · 583 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation
Grades 6–8 · 531 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Linkhorne Middle
Grades 6–8 · 519 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Lynchburg · depends on your address
Sandusky Middle
Grades 6–8 · 583 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation
Grades 6–8 · 531 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Linkhorne Middle
Grades 6–8 · 519 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Lynchburg · depends on your address
E.C. Glass High
Grades 9–12 · 1,220 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Heritage High
Grades 9–12 · 1,113 students · 15:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Lynchburg · depends on your address
E.C. Glass High
Grades 9–12 · 1,220 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Heritage High
Grades 9–12 · 1,113 students · 15:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Lynchburg · depends on your address
E.C. Glass High
Grades 9–12 · 1,220 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Heritage High
Grades 9–12 · 1,113 students · 15:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Lynchburg · depends on your address
E.C. Glass High
Grades 9–12 · 1,220 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Heritage High
Grades 9–12 · 1,113 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Lynchburg’s public schools are run by Lynchburg 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
Lynchburg vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Virginia towns that share Lynchburg’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lynchburg | D | Lynchburg City |
Every school in Lynchburg
22 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: 8 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Laurel Regional Special Ed Ctr, Lynchburg Juvenile Detention Home, Lynchburg City Secondary Alternative, Central Virginia Governor's School, Carl B. Hutcherson Building, Lynchburg Regional Governor's STEM Academy, Restorative Academy - Elem and Restorative Academy - Secondary).
Questions about Lynchburg’s schools
Are Lynchburg’s schools good?
On Virginia’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Lynchburg children attend score below 87% of Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #239 of 250 Virginia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 6%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lynchburg in?
Lynchburg City Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 7,657 students in 16 schools (2024–25).
Where do Lynchburg kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: E.C. Glass High and Heritage High.
What is Lynchburg’s graduation rate?
80% of the class of 2023 in Lynchburg City Public Schools graduated in four years, against 89% across Virginia.
How much does Lynchburg spend per student?
$17,527 in Lynchburg City Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,169 across Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Lynchburg?
Yes: New Covenant Schools (religious, grades PK–12, 453 students), Virginia Episcopal School (religious, grades 9–12, 248 students), Montessori Childrens House (nonsectarian, grades PK–2, 62 students), Rivermont Lynchburg North (special education, grades K–12, 40 students), New Vistas School (special education, grades 2–12, 39 students) and Bridges Treatment Center (special education, grades 2–11, 26 students).
Parents talk
What Lynchburg families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lynchburg → 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.