For the 2025 school year, there are 20 public schools serving 11,357 students in Roanoke County, VA (there are 11 private schools, serving 2,040 private students). 85% of all K-12 students in Roanoke County, VA are educated in public schools (compared to the VA state average of 89%). Roanoke County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Virginia.
The top ranked public schools in Roanoke County, VA are Hidden Valley High School, Cave Spring High School and Penn Forest Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Roanoke County, VA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 72% (versus the Virginia public school average of 54%), and reading proficiency score of 79% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Roanoke County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of Virginia public schools.
Minority enrollment is 30% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Virginia public school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Roanoke County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Hidden Valley High School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
5000 Titan Trail
Roanoke, VA 24018
(540) 776-7320
Roanoke, VA 24018
(540) 776-7320
Grades: 9-12
| 851 students
Rank: #22.
Cave Spring High School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3712 Chaparral Dr
Roanoke, VA 24018
(540) 772-7550
Roanoke, VA 24018
(540) 772-7550
Grades: 9-12
| 1,075 students
Rank: #33.
Penn Forest Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
6328 Merriman Rd
Roanoke, VA 24018
(540) 772-7590
Roanoke, VA 24018
(540) 772-7590
Grades: PK-5
| 406 students
Rank: #44.
William Byrd High School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2902 Washington Ave
Vinton, VA 24179
(540) 890-3090
Vinton, VA 24179
(540) 890-3090
Grades: 9-12
| 1,127 students
Rank: #55.
Northside High School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6758 Northside High School Rd
Roanoke, VA 24019
(540) 561-8155
Roanoke, VA 24019
(540) 561-8155
Grades: 9-12
| 923 students
Rank: #6 - 86. - 8.
Back Creek Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
7130 Bent Mountain Rd
Roanoke, VA 24018
(540) 772-7565
Roanoke, VA 24018
(540) 772-7565
Grades: PK-5
| 274 students
Rank: #6 - 86. - 8.
Bonsack Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5437 Crumpacker Dr
Roanoke, VA 24019
(540) 977-5870
Roanoke, VA 24019
(540) 977-5870
Grades: PK-5
| 314 students
Rank: #6 - 86. - 8.
Cave Spring Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5404 Springlawn Ave
Roanoke, VA 24018
(540) 772-7558
Roanoke, VA 24018
(540) 772-7558
Grades: PK-5
| 502 students
Rank: #99.
Hidden Valley Middle School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4902 Hidden Valley School Rd
Roanoke, VA 24018
(540) 772-7570
Roanoke, VA 24018
(540) 772-7570
Grades: 6-8
| 568 students
Rank: #1010.
Cave Spring Middle School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4880 Brambleton Ave
Roanoke, VA 24018
(540) 772-7560
Roanoke, VA 24018
(540) 772-7560
Grades: 6-8
| 751 students
Rank: #1111.
Oak Grove Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5005 Grandin Rd Extension
Roanoke, VA 24018
(540) 772-7580
Roanoke, VA 24018
(540) 772-7580
Grades: PK-5
| 395 students
Rank: #1212.
Glen Cove Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5901 Cove Rd
Roanoke, VA 24019
(540) 561-8135
Roanoke, VA 24019
(540) 561-8135
Grades: PK-5
| 437 students
Rank: #1313.
William Byrd Middle School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2910 Washington Ave
Vinton, VA 24179
(540) 890-1035
Vinton, VA 24179
(540) 890-1035
Grades: 6-8
| 821 students
Rank: #1414.
W.e. Cundiff Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1200 Hardy Rd
Vinton, VA 24179
(540) 857-5009
Vinton, VA 24179
(540) 857-5009
Grades: PK-5
| 496 students
Rank: #1515.
Green Valley Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3838 Overdale Rd
Roanoke, VA 24018
(540) 772-7556
Roanoke, VA 24018
(540) 772-7556
Grades: PK-5
| 493 students
Rank: #1616.
Herman L. Horn Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1002 Ruddell Rd
Vinton, VA 24179
(540) 857-5007
Vinton, VA 24179
(540) 857-5007
Grades: PK-5
| 425 students
Rank: #1717.
Northside Middle School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6810 Northside High School Rd
Roanoke, VA 24019
(540) 561-8145
Roanoke, VA 24019
(540) 561-8145
Grades: 6-8
| 611 students
Rank: #1818.
Mountain View Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5901 Plantation Circle
Roanoke, VA 24019
(540) 561-8175
Roanoke, VA 24019
(540) 561-8175
Grades: PK-5
| 378 students
Rank: #1919.
Burlington Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
6533 Peters Creek Rd
Roanoke, VA 24019
(540) 561-8165
Roanoke, VA 24019
(540) 561-8165
Grades: PK-5
| 510 students
Rank: n/an/a
Alternative Secondary Transition Educational Program
Alternative School
5937 Cove Road
Roanoke, VA 24019
(540) 562-3700
Roanoke, VA 24019
(540) 562-3700
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Roanoke County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
10148 Tinsley Ln
Bent Mountain, VA 24059
(540) 929-4281
Bent Mountain, VA 24059
(540) 929-4281
Grades: K-5
| n/a students
R.e. Cook Regional Alternative (Closed 2008)
Alternative School
412 Poplar St.
Vinton, VA 24179
(540) 857-5099
Vinton, VA 24179
(540) 857-5099
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Roanoke County Central Middle School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
2910 Washington Va
Vinton, VA 24179
(540) 562-3900
Vinton, VA 24179
(540) 562-3900
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Roanoke County, VA?
The top ranked public schools in Roanoke County, VA include Hidden Valley High School, Cave Spring High School and Penn Forest Elementary School. Roanoke County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Virginia.
How many public schools are located in Roanoke County?
20 public schools are located in Roanoke County.
What percentage of students in Roanoke County go to public school?
85% of all K-12 students in Roanoke County are educated in public schools (compared to the VA state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Roanoke County?
Roanoke County public schools minority enrollment is 30% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Virginia public schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Roanoke County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Roanoke County include: Hidden Valley Middle School vs. Cave Spring Middle School, Herman L. Horn Elementary School vs. Bonsack Elementary School, Hidden Valley High School vs. Cave Spring High School
Recent Articles
Sexual Harassment at Age 6: The Tale of a First Grade Suspension
A six-year old in Aurora, Colorado, was suspended after singing an LMFAO song to a little girl in his class and reportedly “shaking his booty.” We look at the case and the sexual harassment problem in public schools today.
How Scaffolding Could Change the Way Your Child Learns
This article explores the concept of instructional scaffolding, a teaching method that enhances learning by breaking down complex tasks into manageable parts. It highlights how scaffolding supports students in developing critical thinking skills and becoming more independent learners. The article discusses the benefits of scaffolding, including improved engagement and reduced anxiety, and provides strategies for its implementation across various educational levels.
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.
