SW Virginia News

White students comprised the largest ethnic group in Smyth County schools during the 2023-24 school year, according to the Virginia Department of Education.

Of the 3,894 students attending Smyth County schools, 92.9% were white. Hispanic made up the second largest ethnicity among the schools in the county.

In the previous school year, white students were also the most prevalent ethnic group in Smyth County, representing 93.2% of the student body.

In the 2023-24 school year, the total number of students enrolled in public schools in the county dropped 2.2% compared to the previous year.

According to Public School Review, Virginia public schools saw an average student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 1:14 in the 2024-25 school year, which is better than the national average of 1:15 in public schools.

School name	Most Prevalent Ethnic Group	% of Total Student Population	Total Enrollment
Marion Senior High School	White	93%	597
Chilhowie Elementary School	White	93.2%	544
Chilhowie High School	White	93.8%	401
Marion Middle School	White	90.5%	389
Oak Point Elementary School	White	93.3%	375
Marion Elementary School	White	87.7%	309
Chilhowie Middle School	White	91.2%	295
Northwood High School	White	93%	230
Saltville Elementary School	White	93.7%	190
Atkins Elementary School	White	94.7%	171
Northwood Middle School	White	96.3%	164
Rich Valley Elementary School	White	99.2%	129
Sugar Grove Elementary School	White	96%	100