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LincolnTheatreMarionVAPhoto: DwayneP · CC BY-SA 3.0
B−
Schools in Marion · Smyth County Public Schools

Marion’s public schools score below 55% of Virginia districts on tests and graduation

46% of students in Marion’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Virginia average (54%). The grade covers the public school district serving Marion, 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.

#200of 250 Virginia townsK–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
46%
▼ 8 pts vs VA 54%
2020–21
Graduate on time
90%
▲ 1 pts vs VA 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.6K
▼ 9% vs VA $17.2K
FY2024
Students per teacher
11.8
VA 13.9 · smaller classes
Schools in town
3
1,262 students on the public path
In brief

Marion’s schools, in brief

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,580 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 Marion Middle, then Marion Senior High. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Smyth County Virtual, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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 Marion’s grade

C+ Test scoresB Graduation

B−: better than 45% of Virginia school districts, #200 of 250 Virginia towns. Graduation is above the Virginia average; test scores are below it.

Virginia school districts we grade (133)Better than 45%
Lower resultsHigher results
Virginia towns with similar household incomes (104)Better than 41%
C+B+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,031 test results and a graduating class of 314 could put Marion anywhere from C+ to B+. The tests are from spring 2021, when nearly all of Marion’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,031 students).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–5Marion ElementarySmyth County Public SchoolsC
6–8Marion MiddleSmyth County Public SchoolsC
9–12Marion Senior HighSmyth County Public SchoolsB+

Marion’s public schools are run by Smyth County Public Schools, which also serves Chilhowie and Saltville. 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.

Smyth County Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 14 schools · 4,132 students · 11.8 per teacher (VA 13.9)
$15,580VA $17,169 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2020–21

How students score

Math46%
State average 54.4% · 2031 students tested

Marion vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
MarionB−Smyth County

Every school in Marion

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 Marionby address
Marion Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C
298 students14:1Rate it →
Marion Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
C
401 students11:1Rate it →
Marion Senior High
High · Grades 9–12
B+
563 students11:1Rate it →
Online schools based in Marionnot counted as local schools
Smyth County Virtual
Elementary · Grades K–8
Online
339 students17:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Southwestern Va Mental Health Institute).

Questions about Marion’s schools

Are Marion’s schools good?

On Virginia’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Marion children attend score below 55% of Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #200 of 250 Virginia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 41%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Marion in?

Smyth County Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,132 students in 14 schools (2024–25).

Where do Marion kids go to high school?

Marion Senior High, with 563 students; its own test results earn a B+.

What is Marion’s graduation rate?

90% of the class of 2023 in Smyth County Public Schools graduated in four years, against 89% across Virginia.

How much does Marion spend per student?

$15,580 in Smyth County Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,169 across Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Marion families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Marion → 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.