Summary:
The city of Ararat, Virginia is home to a single standout elementary school, Blue Ridge Elementary, which serves students from pre-kindergarten through 6th grade. As part of the Patrick County Public Schools district, Blue Ridge Elementary has consistently ranked in the top 30% of Virginia elementary schools over the past 3 years, maintaining a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.
With a student enrollment of 235, Blue Ridge Elementary boasts a diverse student body that is 85.53% White, 10.64% Hispanic, 0.85% African American, and 2.98% two or more races. Despite having a high free/reduced lunch rate of 82.55%, the school's students significantly outperform their district and state peers on standardized tests, particularly in mathematics. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, 92.31% of 6th graders and 92% of 7th graders scored proficient or better on the math SOL, compared to 82.39% and 86.59% for the district, and 59.41% and 52.49% for the state.
While Blue Ridge Elementary's overall performance is impressive, there are a few areas where scores lag behind the district and state, such as 5th grade science and 4th grade VA Studies. However, the school's consistent ranking, rating, and strong academic outcomes make it a standout institution in the Ararat, Virginia area, serving as a model for other schools in the Patrick County Public Schools district to emulate.
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