Photo: Joe Ravi · CC BY-SA 3.0Roanoke’s public schools score below 83% of Virginia districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 40% of Roanoke’s students scored proficient, below the Virginia average (54%). The grade covers the public school district serving Roanoke, 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 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.
Roanoke’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 198 Virginia towns with household incomes within a quarter of Roanoke’s, its schools beat 9%, lower than their 17% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $19,439 per student, against $17,169 across Virginia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
17 elementary schools, then five middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Roanoke Catholic School (private), Kings Christian Academy -or Kca (private), Community High School (private), First Baptist Church Child Development Center (private), New Vista Montessori School (private), Rivermont, Roanoke Southeast (private) and Rivermont School - Roanoke (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 Roanoke’s grade
C−: better than 17% of Virginia school districts, #234 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 Roanoke, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Roanoke · depends on your address
Patrick Henry High
Grades 9–12 · 2,030 students · 14:1 students per teacher
William Fleming High
Grades 9–12 · 1,957 students · 15:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Roanoke · depends on your address
Patrick Henry High
Grades 9–12 · 2,030 students · 14:1 students per teacher
William Fleming High
Grades 9–12 · 1,957 students · 15:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Roanoke · depends on your address
Patrick Henry High
Grades 9–12 · 2,030 students · 14:1 students per teacher
William Fleming High
Grades 9–12 · 1,957 students · 15:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Roanoke · depends on your address
Patrick Henry High
Grades 9–12 · 2,030 students · 14:1 students per teacher
William Fleming High
Grades 9–12 · 1,957 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Roanoke’s public schools are run by Roanoke 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
Roanoke vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Virginia towns that share Roanoke’s borders.
Every school in Roanoke
32 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: 5 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Reg Alternative Plus Self Project/Roanoke City, Roanoke Valley Governor's School, Noel C. Taylor Academy At Oakland, Forest Park Academy and Ruffner Operations and Professional Development Center).
Questions about Roanoke’s schools
Are Roanoke’s schools good?
On Virginia’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Roanoke children attend score below 83% of Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #234 of 250 Virginia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 9%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Roanoke in?
Roanoke City Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 13,811 students in 24 schools (2024–25).
Where do Roanoke kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Patrick Henry High and William Fleming High.
What is Roanoke’s graduation rate?
79% of the class of 2023 in Roanoke City Public Schools graduated in four years, against 89% across Virginia.
How much does Roanoke spend per student?
$19,439 in Roanoke City Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,169 across Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Roanoke?
Yes: Roanoke Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–12, 400 students), Kings Christian Academy -or Kca (religious, grades K–12, 158 students), Community High School (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 130 students), First Baptist Church Child Development Center (religious, grades PK–K, 101 students), New Vista Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 87 students), Rivermont, Roanoke Southeast (special education, grades K–12, 75 students) and Rivermont School - Roanoke (special education, grades K–12, 70 students).
Parents talk
What Roanoke families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Roanoke → 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.