Altavista Combined School is a public school in Altavista, Virginia. The school houses both the middle school and high school in the same building, and the current enrollment is about 700 students. Their mascot is named "The Colonel", and their sports teams are named "The Colonels".
Serving 634 students in grades 6-12, Altavista High School ranks in the bottom 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% (which is lower than the Virginia state average of 54%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 72% (which is higher than the Virginia state average of 69%).
The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is lower than the Virginia state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Black), which is lower than the Virginia state average of 56% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 6-12
- Enrollment: 634 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 13:1
- Minority Enrollment: 41%
- Graduation Rate: 80-84% (Btm 50% in VA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 40% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 72% (Top 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 44% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
School Overview
Altavista High School's student population of 634 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 50 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 6-12
(Primarily virtual)
(Primarily virtual)
Total Students
634 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
50 teachers
Year Founded
1910
Colors
Orange & Black
School Rankings
Altavista High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,792 schools in Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Altavista High School is 0.57, 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
#1064 out of 1792 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)40%
54%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)72%
69%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)44%
59%
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
14:1
American Indian
1%
n/a
Asian
n/a
8%
Hispanic
4%
19%
Black
28%
22%
White
59%
44%
Hawaiian
1%
n/a
Two or more races
7%
7%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
80-84%
89%
Eligible for Free Lunch
73%
55%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (21-22)
5%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Colonels
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Altavista High School's ranking?
Altavista High School is ranked #1064 out of 1,792 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Virginia.
What schools are Altavista High School often compared to?
Altavista High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Rustburg High School, William Campbell High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
40% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 54% VA state average), while 72% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 69% VA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Altavista High School?
The graduation rate of Altavista High School is 80-84%, which is lower than the Virginia state average of 89%.
How many students attend Altavista High School?
634 students attend Altavista High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
59% of Altavista High School students are White, 28% of students are Black, 7% of students are Two or more races, 4% of students are Hispanic, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Altavista High School?
Altavista High School has a student ration of 13:1, which is lower than the Virginia state average of 14:1.
What grades does Altavista High School offer ?
Altavista High School offers enrollment in grades 6-12 (Primarily virtual).
What school district is Altavista High School part of?
Altavista High School is part of Campbell County School District.
School Reviews
5 11/15/2012
AHS is a wonderful school. I feel that the teachers at this school really pushed me to achieve good grades by being supportive and helpful. They encourage the student to exceed and to do his/her best on every assignment. The student has lots of choices with his/her education--get a standard diploma or challenge oneself and go for the advanced. Band, art class, chorus, football, volleyball, tennis and more are all provided for the student to decide what he or she would like to do. The guidance department is always available and helpful. The food was not bad at all--lots of choices available, and affordable as well. AHS even promotes DAWN and Angel Tree gifting every year to help needed families. I highly recommend AHS as an alumni of this school who graduated with honors. I am very proud of my AHS education.
2 8/9/2010
Nice teachers, but they make the class room more fun then educational. There are not many choices of extracurricular activities. Also, I believe the main issue with the school is it believes sports are more important than the academics... for example cutting many simple little costly classes and buying rings for athletes that make it far enough in tournaments.
Review Altavista High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles

Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.

Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.

Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.