By Lewis Loflin
In 2008, Virginia High School in Bristol, Virginia, faced scrutiny for low graduation rates. A December 17, 2006, Roanoke Times report noted that Bristol City Public Schools had a 57% graduation rate for the 2005–06 school year, ranking fifth worst in Virginia, behind Cumberland County, Petersburg, Richmond, and ahead of few others. During the 2002–03 school year, 24% of Virginia High’s 225 freshmen failed to advance, one of the highest retention rates in Southwest Virginia. The previous year, 24% of 211 freshmen were also retained.
A 2004 Bristol Herald Courier article (August 15) highlighted student disengagement, quoting a student: “If you don’t fit in, you’re not accepted. If they don’t like the way you look, they tell you to change your clothes.” Discipline issues were suggested as a factor, with proposals for uniforms and stricter dress codes to address social dynamics.
A May 14, 2007, report by Editorial Projects in Education (EPE), published in Education Week, estimated Virginia High’s graduation rate at 52.1% and Tennessee High’s at 63.2%. Bristol, Virginia, Superintendent Doug Arnold called the 52.1% figure “very, very low” and likely inaccurate. The EPE report analyzed public high schools nationwide, including enrollment, teacher numbers, and student-teacher ratios. A March 20, 2008, New York Times article, “States’ Data Obscure How Few Finish High School,” suggested that many states, including Virginia, inflated graduation rates, complicating accurate assessments.
EPE’s 2006 data for Tri-Cities schools showed varied performance: Sullivan County, TN (63.7%), Washington County, TN (71.1%), Washington County, VA (84.6%), Kingsport, TN (69.9%), Johnson City, TN (76.2%), Wise County, VA (73.2%), and Scott County, VA (73.7%). Virginia High ranked among the lowest in the region, prompting local concern.
In response to these challenges, Bristol City Public Schools appointed Martin Ringstaff as Virginia High’s principal in May 2008, as reported by the Bristol Herald Courier (May 12, 2008). Ringstaff, previously at Dan River High School near Danville, Virginia, prioritized improving dropout, attendance, and graduation rates, stating, “I think the graduation rate needs some attention. We need to see what’s going on there.” His appointment followed the retirement of principal Mrs. Danko.
Recent data shows improvement. According to the Virginia Department of Education, Virginia High’s on-time graduation rate for the 2022–23 school year was 88.9%, aligning with Washington County’s 91.2% and exceeding the state average of 87.6%. However, challenges persist, with 10.4% of students classified as economically disadvantaged in 2023, potentially impacting outcomes.
| School/Area (2006 EPE Data) | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| Virginia High School, Bristol, VA | 52.1% |
| Tennessee High School, Bristol, TN | 63.2% |
| Sullivan County, TN | 63.7% |
| Washington County, TN | 71.1% |
| Washington County, VA | 84.6% |
| Kingsport, TN | 69.9% |
| Johnson City, TN | 76.2% |
| Wise County, VA | 73.2% |
| Scott County, VA | 73.7% |
Virginia High School’s proximity to public housing in Bristol, Virginia, contributes to its challenges. Low-income students often face barriers like poverty and unstable home environments, which can affect academic performance. The 2008 EPE report and local accounts suggested social exclusion and discipline issues exacerbated dropout rates. Proposals like uniforms aimed to reduce peer pressure but were not universally adopted.
While Virginia High has improved its graduation rate to 88.9% by 2023, socioeconomic factors in Bristol continue to impact student success, requiring ongoing support.
For further reading, visit www.silentepidemic.org or the Virginia High School website.
Acknowledgment: I’d like to thank Grok, an AI by xAI, for helping me draft and refine this article. The final edits and perspective are my own.
