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Alleghany County

Virginia · Public K-12

7 public K-12 schools, roughly 1,719 students, one county, 14,859 residents. That is Alleghany County, Virginia on the numbers. By level, that breaks down as 5 elementary and 1 high schools.

7-year change in Alleghany County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
1,719
-471 (-22%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
4
-1 (-20%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
83%
was 88%
% Hispanic
4%
was 1%
% Black
7%
was 6%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
7
3 districts
Enrollment
1,719
NCES CCD
Median income
$56,188
Below Virginia avg
Free/reduced lunch
82.5%
Above Virginia avg
Elementary
5
901 students
Middle
0
schools
High
1
818 students
Combined / other
1
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Alleghany Highlands Public Schools
1,719 students · 3 districts in Alleghany County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Alleghany County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".

County residents
White
92%
Hispanic
2%
Black
5%
Asian
0%
Two or more
2%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
82%
Hispanic
4%
Black
7%
Asian
1%
Two or more
6%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
14.6%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
8.5%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.3%
civilian labor
Median age
48
18.5% under 18

Test scores in Alleghany County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 4 schools ranked. Virginia state average: 74.2%.

Top 4 schools (ELA)
  1. Sharon Elementary· 80.0%
  2. Alleghany High· 77.0%
  3. Callaghan Elementary· 75.0%
  4. Mountain View Elementary· 61.0%

See all 4 schools in Alleghany County ranked by score →

All schools (7)

NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Alleghany HighCovingtonHigh09-12818·
Mountain View ElementaryCovingtonElementaryPK-05415·
Callaghan ElementaryCovingtonElementaryPK-05270·
Sharon ElementaryClifton ForgeElementaryPK-05216·
Jackson River Governor's SchoolClifton ForgeElementaryN-N··
Jackson River Tech CtrCovingtonElementaryN-N··
Jackson River Tech CtrCovingtonCombinedM-M··

Cities in Alleghany County

Covington5 schoolsClifton Forge2 schools

About Alleghany County

Alleghany County is a low-population Virginia county of about 14,859 residents, home to 7 public schools and roughly 1,719 students.

For perspective, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $56,188, about 15% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate is around 9%. That income level is 27% noticeably below the Virginia median.

For a sense of the school types, Alleghany County consists of 5 elementary schools (901 students), 1 high school (818), and 1 combined or other schools.

Alleghany Highlands Public Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 1,719 students on its own.

Over the past 7-year window. Combined enrollment now sits at 1,719 students, contracted 22% from the 2,190 reported in SY 2017-18. Alleghany County now counts 4 public schools, down from 5 in SY 2017-18. Demographically, the White share of enrollment fell from 88% to 83%.

In the discussion threads here, the community for Alleghany County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.

Frequently asked questions

How many public schools are in Alleghany County?
Alleghany County, Virginia has 7 public K-12 schools serving approximately 1,719 students.
How many high schools are in Alleghany County?
Alleghany County, Virginia has 1 public high school, serving approximately 818 students.
How many elementary schools are in Alleghany County?
Alleghany County, Virginia has 5 public elementary schools, serving approximately 901 students.
What is the largest school district in Alleghany County?
Alleghany Highlands Public Schools is the largest school district in Alleghany County, serving approximately 1,719 students. The county contains 3 school districts overall.
What is the population of Alleghany County?
Alleghany County, Virginia has a population of approximately 14,859, with a median age of 48. About 18.5% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in Alleghany County?
Median household income in Alleghany County is $56,188, below the Virginia average of $76,527. About 8.5% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Alleghany County?
Approximately 14.6% of adults 25 and older in Alleghany County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Alleghany County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 82.5% of students in Alleghany County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is higher than the Virginia county average of 75.7%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Alleghany County schools?
Across Alleghany County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 13.2 to 1.
What is the racial makeup of Alleghany County?
Alleghany County residents are approximately 92% White, 2% Hispanic, 5% Black, 0% Asian, 2% two or more races according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data