William Byrd High School is a public secondary school located in Vinton, Virginia and is part of the Roanoke County Public Schools system. The school has many successful athletic programs as well as award-winning band, choir, theater, forensics, and scholastic bowl programs.
Serving 1,134 students in grades 9-12, William Byrd High School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Virginia for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 40-59% (which is lower than the Virginia state average of 68%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 89% (which is higher than the Virginia state average of 69%).
The student-teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the Virginia state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Virginia state average of 56% (majority Black).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,134 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
- Minority Enrollment: 22%
- Graduation Rate: 93% (Top 30% in VA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 40-59% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 89% (Top 10%)
- Science Proficiency: 69% (Top 30%)
- Attendance Zone: William Byrd High serves the eastern part of Vinton, VA, covering an area of approximately 29.2 square miles. Most families can expect a typical drive of 10 to 12 minutes to the school, with the furthest edge of the attendance zone located about 7.6 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
William Byrd High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Virginia for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
School Overview
William Byrd High School's student population of 1,134 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 73 teachers has declined by 17% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Primarily virtual)
(Primarily virtual)
Total Students
1,134 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
73 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1933
School Calendar
School Rankings
William Byrd High School ranks within the top 50% of all 1,773 schools in Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of William Byrd High School is 0.38, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#819 out of 1773 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-59%
68%
Showing 2011–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)89%
69%
Showing 2011–2021. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)69%
59%
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
14:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
2%
8%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
9%
20%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓
Black
6%
21%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
White
78%
44%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
5%
7%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
93%
88.8%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)22.1%
19.1%
Eligible for Free Lunch
32%
57%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 32-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
2%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Red and Blue
School Mascot
Terriers
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is William Byrd High School's ranking?
William Byrd High School is ranked #819 out of 1,773 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Virginia.
What schools are William Byrd High School often compared to?
William Byrd High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Northside High School, Cave Spring High School, Hidden Valley High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
40-59% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 68% VA state average), while 89% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 69% VA state average).
What is the graduation rate of William Byrd High School?
The graduation rate of William Byrd High School is 93%, which is higher than the Virginia state average of 88.8%.
How many students attend William Byrd High School?
1,134 students attend William Byrd High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
78% of William Byrd High School students are White, 9% of students are Hispanic, 6% of students are Black, 5% of students are Two or more races, and 2% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of William Byrd High School?
William Byrd High School has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the Virginia state average of 14:1.
What grades does William Byrd High School offer ?
William Byrd High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Primarily virtual).
What school district is William Byrd High School part of?
William Byrd High School is part of Roanoke County School District.
School Reviews
5 10/10/2025
William Byrd High School is one if those schools that you can't really appreciate until after you've gone out into the world. It is a small town public school nestled beside the Blue Ridge Parkway that continues to offer high quality academic coursework for college-bound students, as well as vocational and special education programs. The activities I participated in as a student -- art club, cross country, the school yearbook -- helped form a basis for a variety of interests I pursued in college and in my professional life. The student/teacher ratio was (and remains) very good, and the academic and athletic facilities have always been spacious, clean, and well-maintained.
5 10/10/2025
William Byrd will give out to its students what they put in. I personally feel that Byrd is a great school to go to, and so long as you're willing to put in the effort to learn and stay out of trouble, the teachers there will help you. They have very a underrated music and cheerleading program, as they bring home most of the trophies. They have an exceptional administrative staff. I participated in their AFJROTC program, the music program, and their archery club, as well as Beta Club. It's a great school and a great community that you can't find really anywhere else. Plus Maroon and Orange look good on anyone and who doesn't love a good Bull Terrier?
Review William Byrd High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
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