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Nelson County School District

Item: Nelson County School District
Rating: 5
Author: Public School Review

84 Courthouse Square
Lovingston, VA 22949-0276

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (434) 260-7646

www.nelson.k12.va.us

Top Rankings

Nelson County School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Virginia for:

Overview

This School District

This State (VA)

# Schools

4 Schools

2,136 Schools

# Students

1,492 Students

1,257,463 Students

# Teachers

128 Teachers

92,279 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

12:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Nelson County School District	Virginia
Pre-K	49	165
Kind	105	406
1	110	428
2	114	437
3	94	457
4	100	440
5	106	447
6	95	448
7	120	451
8	113	453
9	126	493
10	132	485
11	109	468
12	119	467

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District Rank

Nelson County School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 131 school districts in Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 87% has increased from 85-89% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (VA)

#67 out of 132 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Nelson County School District
2023	#67
2022	#92
2021	#92
2019	#51
2018	#78
2017	#78
2016	#59
2015	#70
2014	#39
2013	#30
2012	#42

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71%

68%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Nelson County School District	Virginia
2023	71%	68%
2021	42%	54%
2019	87%	82%
2017	74%	72%
2016	80%	80%
2015	79%	79%
2014	77%	74%
2013	76%	71%
2012	71%	68%
2011	91%	86%
2010	90%	87%

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(20-21)

62%

69%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Nelson County School District	Virginia
2021	62%	69%
2019	76%	78%
2017	74%	80%
2016	78%	80%
2015	75%	79%
2014	73%	74%
2013	75%	74%
2012	88%	89%
2011	88%	88%
2010	90%	89%

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(20-21)

48%

59%

87%

89%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Nelson County School District	Virginia
2023	87%	89%
2022	87%	89%
2021	87%	89%
2020	87%	89%
2019	87%	87%
2018	87%	88%
2017	87%	87%
2016	87%	87%
2015	77%	86%
2014	82%	85%
2013	87%	85%

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(2022-23)

24.9%

19.1%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Nelson County School District	Virginia
2023	24.9%	19.1%
2022	33.7%	20%
2021	6.6%	10.9%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.49

0.72

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Nelson County School District	Virginia
2023	0.49	0.71
2022	0.49	0.70
2021	0.47	0.70
2020	0.44	0.68
2019	0.44	0.68
2018	0.42	0.67
2017	0.42	0.67
2016	0.42	0.68
2015	0.43	0.66
2014	0.42	0.66
2013	0.43	0.65
2012	0.44	0.64
2011	0.43	0.64
2010	0.39	0.62
2009	0.39	0.60
2008	0.40	0.60
2007	0.38	0.59
2006	0.38	0.58
2005	0.37	0.57
2004	0.36	0.55
2003	0.36	0.55
2002	0.35	0.53
2001	0.34	0.52
2000	0.35	0.51
1999	0.37	0.51
1998	0.38	0.50
1997	0.39	0.49
1996	0.40	0.48
1995	0.40	0.49
1994	0.40	0.47
1993	0.41	0.47

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% American Indian

n/a

% Asian

n/a

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1998-2023)
Year	Nelson County School District	Virginia
2023	1%	7%
2022	2%	7%
2020	1%	7%
2019	1%	7%
2013	1%	7%
2012	1%	6%
2011	1%	7%
2010	2%	7%
2009	1%	7%
2005	2%	6%
1998	1%	4%

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% Hispanic

15%

20%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Nelson County School District	Virginia
2023	11%	19%
2022	11%	18%
2021	11%	18%
2020	8%	16%
2019	8%	16%
2018	7%	15%
2017	7%	15%
2016	7%	14%
2015	8%	14%
2014	7%	13%
2013	7%	12%
2012	7%	12%
2011	7%	11%
2010	5%	10%
2009	5%	10%
2008	6%	10%
2007	5%	9%
2006	4%	8%
2005	3%	7%
2004	2%	6%
2003	2%	7%
2002	3%	5%
2001	1%	5%
2000	2%	4%
1999	2%	4%
1998	2%	4%
1997	3%	3%
1996	3%	3%
1995	2%	3%
1994	3%	3%
1993	3%	3%

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% Black

12%

21%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Nelson County School District	Virginia
2023	14%	22%
2022	13%	22%
2021	13%	22%
2020	13%	22%
2019	13%	22%
2018	13%	23%
2017	13%	23%
2016	13%	23%
2015	14%	23%
2014	14%	23%
2013	13%	23%
2012	14%	24%
2011	14%	24%
2010	17%	26%
2009	18%	26%
2008	19%	27%
2007	19%	27%
2006	19%	27%
2005	18%	27%
2004	20%	27%
2003	20%	27%
2002	19%	27%
2001	20%	27%
2000	19%	27%
1999	21%	27%
1998	22%	27%
1997	22%	27%
1996	23%	27%
1995	24%	26%
1994	23%	26%
1993	24%	26%

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% White

69%

44%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Nelson County School District	Virginia
2023	69%	45%
2022	69%	46%
2021	71%	46%
2020	73%	49%
2019	73%	49%
2018	75%	50%
2017	75%	50%
2016	75%	50%
2015	74%	52%
2014	74%	52%
2013	74%	53%
2012	74%	54%
2011	74%	54%
2010	76%	57%
2009	76%	57%
2008	75%	57%
2007	76%	58%
2006	77%	59%
2005	77%	60%
2004	78%	61%
2003	78%	61%
2002	78%	63%
2001	79%	64%
2000	79%	65%
1999	77%	65%
1998	75%	65%
1997	75%	66%
1996	74%	67%
1995	74%	67%
1994	74%	68%
1993	73%	68%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Nelson County School District	Virginia
2023	4%	7%
2022	5%	7%
2021	5%	6%
2020	5%	6%
2019	5%	6%
2018	5%	5%
2017	5%	5%
2016	5%	5%
2015	4%	5%
2014	5%	5%
2013	5%	5%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $17,983 is higher than the state median of $15,504. The school district revenue/student has grown by 14% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $17,822 is higher than the state median of $15,258. The school district spending/student has grown by 14% over four school years.

This School District

This State (VA)

Total Revenue

$27 MM

$19,496 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Nelson County School District	Virginia
2023	$27 MM	$50 MM
2022	$27 MM	$48 MM
2021	$27 MM	$50 MM
2020	$27 MM	$48 MM
2019	$28 MM	$48 MM
2018	$28 MM	$46 MM
2017	$28 MM	$44 MM
2016	$27 MM	$43 MM
2015	$24 MM	$42 MM
2014	$26 MM	$41 MM
2012	$24 MM	$41 MM
2011	$24 MM	$40 MM
2010	$24 MM	$42 MM
2009	$24 MM	$43 MM
2008	$23 MM	$43 MM
2007	$23 MM	$42 MM
2006	$21 MM	$37 MM
2005	$20 MM	$33 MM
2004	$21 MM	$31 MM
2003	$34 MM	$33 MM
2002	$18 MM	$29 MM
2001	$18 MM	$28 MM
2000	$17 MM	$27 MM
1999	$21 MM	$25 MM
1998	$17 MM	$23 MM
1997	$15 MM	$22 MM
1996	$14 MM	$20 MM
1995	$13 MM	$20 MM

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Spending

$27 MM

$19,187 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Nelson County School District	Virginia
2023	$27 MM	$50 MM
2022	$26 MM	$48 MM
2021	$27 MM	$50 MM
2020	$26 MM	$48 MM
2019	$27 MM	$48 MM
2018	$28 MM	$46 MM
2017	$28 MM	$44 MM
2016	$26 MM	$43 MM
2015	$24 MM	$42 MM
2014	$26 MM	$40 MM
2012	$25 MM	$41 MM
2011	$24 MM	$38 MM
2010	$24 MM	$42 MM
2009	$24 MM	$42 MM
2008	$24 MM	$41 MM
2007	$23 MM	$40 MM
2006	$21 MM	$39 MM
2005	$20 MM	$36 MM
2004	$21 MM	$31 MM
2003	$32 MM	$31 MM
2002	$17 MM	$29 MM
2001	$17 MM	$29 MM
2000	$16 MM	$27 MM
1999	$19 MM	$24 MM
1998	$16 MM	$23 MM
1997	$13 MM	$21 MM
1996	$13 MM	$21 MM
1995	$13 MM	$19 MM

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Revenue / Student

$17,983

$15,504

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Nelson County School District	Virginia
2023	$18,129	$13,350
2022	$15,703	$13,011
2021	$16,811	$14,122
2020	$15,703	$13,011
2018	$14,976	$12,340
2017	$14,835	$12,324
2016	$13,736	$12,007
2015	$12,295	$10,576
2014	$13,244	$10,820
2012	$12,232	$10,405
2011	$12,162	$10,061
2010	$12,027	$10,576
2009	$12,468	$11,282
2008	$11,139	$10,833
2007	$11,418	$11,013
2006	$10,416	$10,006
2005	$9,975	$9,139
2004	$10,537	$8,571
2003	$16,685	$8,950
2002	$8,882	$8,028
2001	$8,544	$7,912
2000	$8,116	$7,658
1999	$10,126	$6,541
1998	$8,470	$6,329
1997	$7,047	$6,082
1995	$6,186	$5,657
1992	$4,984	$5,133
1990	$4,583	$4,932

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Spending / Student

$17,822

$15,258

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Nelson County School District	Virginia
2023	$17,966	$13,422
2022	$15,602	$13,009
2021	$16,660	$14,198
2020	$15,602	$13,009
2018	$14,697	$12,303
2017	$14,516	$12,398
2016	$13,504	$12,042
2015	$12,367	$10,658
2014	$13,036	$10,531
2012	$12,414	$10,420
2011	$12,221	$9,778
2010	$12,098	$10,658
2009	$12,541	$11,065
2008	$11,298	$10,444
2007	$11,422	$10,604
2006	$10,568	$10,603
2005	$9,939	$9,839
2004	$10,515	$8,522
2003	$15,820	$8,394
2002	$8,398	$8,029
2001	$8,103	$8,196
2000	$7,672	$7,662
1999	$9,008	$6,251
1998	$7,859	$6,290
1997	$6,533	$5,970
1995	$6,107	$5,518
1992	$5,081	$5,049
1990	$4,430	$4,824

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Best Nelson County School District Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Nelson County High School

(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 80-84%)
:

10/

Top 10%

Add to Compare

6919 Thomas Nelson Hwy
Lovingston, VA 22949
(434) 263-8317

Gr: 9-12 | 486 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 30%

Rank: #22.

Rockfish River Elementary School

(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 50-54%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

200 Chapel Hollow Rd
Afton, VA 22920
(434) 361-1791

Gr: PK-5 | 318 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 30%

Rank: #33.

Nelson Middle School

(Math: 67% | Reading: 66%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

6925 Thomas Nelson Highway
Lovingston, VA 22949
(434) 263-4801

Gr: 6-8 | 328 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 32%

Rank: #44.

Tye River Elementary School

(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 50-54%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

5198 Thomas Nelson Hwy
Arrington, VA 22922
(434) 263-8960

Gr: PK-5 | 360 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 32%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Nelson County School District?

Nelson County School District manages 4 public schools serving 1,492 students.

What is the rank of Nelson County School District?

Nelson County School District is ranked #66 out of 131 school districts in Virginia (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Virginia school districts for: Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in Nelson County School District?

69% of Nelson County School District students are White, 15% of students are Hispanic, 12% of students are Black, and 4% of students are Two or more races.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Nelson County School District?

Nelson County School District has a student/teacher ratio of 12:1, which is lower than the Virginia state average of 14:1.

What is Nelson County School District's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $17,822 is higher than the state median of $15,258. The school district spending/student has grown by 14% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 4 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 1,492 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
Minority Enrollment: 31%
: 87% (Top 50% in VA)
: Bottom 50%
: 71% (Top 50%)
: 62% (Btm 50%)
: 48% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education