For the 2025 school year, there are 13 public schools serving 5,220 students in Wise County, VA (there are 3 private schools, serving 145 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Wise County, VA are educated in public schools (compared to the VA state average of 89%). Wise County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Virginia.
The top ranked public schools in Wise County, VA are St. Paul Elementary School, J.w. Adams Combined and L.f. Addington Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Wise County, VA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 88% (versus the Virginia public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 79% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Wise County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of Virginia public schools.
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Virginia public school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Wise County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
St. Paul Elementary School
(Math: 97% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
3200 Deacon Drive
Saint Paul, VA 24283
(276) 762-5941
Saint Paul, VA 24283
(276) 762-5941
Grades: PK-8
| 542 students
Rank: #22.
J.w. Adams Combined
(Math: 92% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
10824 Orby Cantrell Hwy
Pound, VA 24279
(276) 796-5419
Pound, VA 24279
(276) 796-5419
Grades: PK-8
| 512 students
Rank: #33.
L.f. Addington Middle School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
324 School St
Wise, VA 24293
(276) 328-8821
Wise, VA 24293
(276) 328-8821
Grades: 5-8
| 409 students
Rank: #44.
Coeburn Primary
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
332 School House Hill Dr.
Coeburn, VA 24230
(276) 395-6100
Coeburn, VA 24230
(276) 395-6100
Grades: PK-4
| 443 students
Rank: #55.
Union Primary
(Math: 92% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2945 Second Avenue East
Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
(276) 523-4900
Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
(276) 523-4900
Grades: PK-4
| 830 students
Rank: #66.
Union High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
322 Powell Valley Road
Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
(276) 523-1290
Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
(276) 523-1290
Grades: 9-12
| 567 students
Rank: #77.
Coeburn Middle School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
518 Centre Ave Ne
Coeburn, VA 24230
(276) 395-2135
Coeburn, VA 24230
(276) 395-2135
Grades: 5-8
| 338 students
Rank: #88.
Wise Primary
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
323 Railroad Ave Se
Wise, VA 24293
(276) 328-8019
Wise, VA 24293
(276) 328-8019
Grades: PK-4
| 616 students
Rank: #99.
Eastside High School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
314 School House Hill Dr
Coeburn, VA 24230
(276) 395-3389
Coeburn, VA 24230
(276) 395-3389
Grades: 9-12
| 394 students
Rank: #1010.
Union Middle School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3137 Second Avenue East
Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
(276) 523-0195
Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
(276) 523-0195
Grades: 5-8
| 569 students
Rank: n/an/a
Regional Learning Academy/wise Co
Alternative School
515 Hurricane Rd Bldg B, Regi
Wise, VA 24293
(276) 328-7138
Wise, VA 24293
(276) 328-7138
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Wise Co. Alternative Ed. Center
Alternative School
515 Hurricane Rd., Building B
Wise, VA 24293
(276) 328-8612
Wise, VA 24293
(276) 328-8612
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Wise County Career-technical Center
Vocational School
621 Lake St Ne
Wise, VA 24293
(276) 328-6113
Wise, VA 24293
(276) 328-6113
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Wise County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
3965 Kent Junction Road
Appalachia, VA 24216
(276) 565-1115
Appalachia, VA 24216
(276) 565-1115
Grades: PK-8
| 307 students
205 Lee St
Appalachia, VA 24216
(276) 565-0214
Appalachia, VA 24216
(276) 565-0214
Grades: 8-12
| 249 students
11531 Wildcat Dr
Pound, VA 24279
(276) 796-4432
Pound, VA 24279
(276) 796-4432
Grades: 9-12
| 222 students
3207 Fourth Ave
Saint Paul, VA 24283
(276) 762-5221
Saint Paul, VA 24283
(276) 762-5221
Grades: 8-12
| 193 students
Wallen's Ridge Correctional Center (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
272 Dogwood Dr
Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
(276) 523-3310
Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
(276) 523-3310
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Wise Correctional Center Unit #18 (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
3602 Bear Ln
Coeburn, VA 24230
(540) 395-2384
Coeburn, VA 24230
(540) 395-2384
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Wise County, VA?
The top ranked public schools in Wise County, VA include St. Paul Elementary School, J.w. Adams Combined and L.f. Addington Middle School. Wise County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Virginia.
How many public schools are located in Wise County?
13 public schools are located in Wise County.
What percentage of students in Wise County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Wise County are educated in public schools (compared to the VA state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Wise County?
Wise County public schools minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Virginia public schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Wise County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Wise County include: Coeburn Primary vs. Wise Primary, Wise Primary vs. Union Primary, Union Primary vs. Wise Primary
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