Education
The educational landscape in Lynchburg, Virginia is known for its excellence, boasting a variety of learning institutions, innovative programs, and dedicated educators who are committed to preparing students for success. Throughout our colleges & universities, public schools, private schools and beyond, LYH is a great place to learn.
Lynchburg is a Top College Town
Lynchburg was recently named as one of the top 10 college towns in the nation, alongside cities such as Boston Massachusetts, Boulder Colorado, and Oxford Mississippi. The Lynchburg area is home to six major colleges and universities, including Liberty University, University of Lynchburg, Randolph College, Virginia University-Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College, and Sweet Briar College, and within an hour’s drive of the University of Virginia and a two-hour drive to Virginia Tech. Our colleges & Universities provide cutting-edge research, innovative resources and a skilled workforce; in fact, 34.5% of the population holds a bachelor’s degree or a graduate degree.
Liberty University
Located in the center of the City, Liberty University is Lynchburg’s largest university with approximately 15,000 students on campus and over 100,000 online students. The university offers a diverse range of academic programs across multiple disciplines, including top-ranked programs in business, education, engineering, and law.
Randolph College
Randolph College is a top-ranked liberal arts college due to its rigorous academic programs, small class sizes, diverse student population, and a strong commitment to student success, with top programs in areas such as science, education, and the arts. Randolph College is located in the Rivermont Neighborhood, which has several eateries, parks & trails, and shops within walking distance.
University of Lynchburg
The University of Lynchburg is a private liberal arts university known for its top programs in health sciences, education, and business. The university has a graduate school that offers a range of master’s degree programs, and a total student population of around 2,500. The university has received numerous special awards, including recognition as a “Best Value School” and one of 40 colleges nationwide to be included in Colleges That Change Lives. The University of Lynchburg is centrally located in the City of Lynchburg off Lakeside Drive.
Virginia University of Lynchburg
The Virginia University of Lynchburg has a rich history as a historically black institution, founded in 1886 to provide education and opportunities for African American students, and today it remains as one of the remaining HBU (Historically Black Universities) in Virginia.
Central Virginia Community College
Central Virginia Community College (CVCC) in Lynchburg, Virginia offers a range of degree and certificate programs designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the workforce. With a focus on practical training and hands-on learning, CVCC prepares students for a wide range of careers in fields such as healthcare, business, technology, and more.
Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar College is a small women’s liberal arts college located on 2,840 acres in Amherst, Virginia. Sweet Briar has one of the only two ABET-accredited engineering programs at a women’s college in the country, preparing students for the STEM-related workforce.
Learn more about what makes LYH a Top College Town
Innovative Classrooms
Lynchburg City Schools
A strong educational foundation ensures a vibrant economy and quality of life. Here in Lynchburg, the mission of Lynchburg City Schools says it all: “Every child, by name and by need, to graduation.” Serving nearly 8,000 students from pre-K to 12th grade, the school system was ranked the sixth most diverse school district in Virginia by Niche.com. Almost half of LCS teachers have a master’s or doctoral degree.
Lynchburg City Schools are known for their commitment to providing a high-quality education that empowers students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to succeed academically and personally. Below are some quick facts about our public school system and some information on the special programs they offer.
- 7,880 Pre K- 12 students
- Over 700 highly qualified staff and administrators
- 45% Teachers with Master’s or Doctoral Degree
- 15 average elementary class size
- 11 Elementary Schools
- 3 Middle Schools
- 2 High Schools
- 1 Virtual Academy
- Alternative programs serving every child, by name and by the need
Schools in the City of Lynchburg
LCS Elementary Schools
W.M. Bass Elementary – Located off of Campbell Avenue, W.M. Bass Elementary is a year-round school that offers a calendar that is unique among the elementary schools in Lynchburg City Schools. W.M. Bass is known for their Kiwanis Terrific Kids Program and Suzuki Violin Classes.
Bedford Hills Elementary – Located in the Boonsboro neighborhood, Bedford Hills houses 450 students K-5th grade with 75 staff. Bedford Hills is known for their Math 24 Club, Student Council Association, and Suzuki Violin Classes.
Dearington Elementary for Innovation – integrates a strong standards-based education with a real-world experiential environment, creating a society-based learning community. Dearington Elemertary is located off of Langhorne Rd. and is known for their enrichment opportunities and activities, Virginia Young Readers, Suzuki violin classes, and cultural arts.
Heritage Elementary – Located off Leesville Rd, Heritage Elementary is home to 450 students. They are also known for the Heritage Pride Drum and Flag Team, the only elementary school team of its kind in the area.
Linkhorne Elementary – Located off of Landhorne Rd., Linkhorne Elementary has 400 students with 27 classrooms, ranging from class sizes of 20 students each. In May 1989, the community came together to build an extensive playground facility called PAL (Play at Linkhorne).
Paul Munro Elementary – Located in Boonsboo off of Trentsferry Rd., Paul Munro houses 335 students, special programs include Suzuki violins, Virginia Young Readers, and Good Morning Paul Munro daily tv news program.
Perrymont Elementary – Located off of Fort Avenue, Perrymount Elemtentary houses 350 students.
R.S. Payne Elementary – Located off of 12th Street near downtown Lynchburg, R.S. Payne houses 470 students. R.S. Payne also has the Gifted Opportunities Center (G.O. Center) serving selected students from 3rd – 5th grade.
Sandusky Elementary – Located in the Sandusky neighborhood, the school houses 340 students. The school has special programs that include Feast on A Good Book, Hillcats “Hit the Books” and the Spring Festival.
Sheffield Elementary – Located off of Sheffild Drive, near Fort Aveune, Sheffield has 400 students. Special activities include technology exploration nights for parents. Suzuki violin classes, and journalism club.
T.C. Miller Elementary School for Innovation – T.C. Miller provides students with a variety of exciting and challenging instructional experiences which employ the latest trends in educational technology and instructional methodologies. T.C. Miller has 225 students and is located off of Oakley Avenue near Miller Park.
LCS Middle Schools
Linkhorne Middle – Linkhorne Middle has about 600 students and is located near Langhorne rd. in the Linkhorne neighborhood. The school has numerous special programs that include art club, show choir, National Junior Honor Society, Mathcounts, language clubs, technolocity club and more! Athletic team sports include tennis, football, volleyball, basketball, soccer and track.
P.L. Dunbar Middle – Weary around 670 students, Dunbar Middle is located off of twelfth street near Downtown Lynchburg.
Sandusky Middle – Sandusky has about 565 students and is located off of Fort Ave. in the Sandusky neighborhood. Activities include, 1st Century CLC, Band, Choral Club, Drama Club, Girl Scouts – Cadette Level, Math Counts, National Junior Honor Society, Orchestra, Relay for Life, Sewing Club, and Student Council Association.
LCS High Schools
E.C. Glass High – E.C. Glass has about 1,385 students and is located on Langhorne Road and just over a mile form Downtown Lynchburg. They have over 30 clubs and organizations to be a part of, including competitive and championship-winning varsity sports teams.
Heritage High – Heritage has just over 1,000 students and is located off of Timberlake Road on Wards Ferry Road. Heritage is also home to the campus of Central Virginia Governor’s School, an academically gifted program for the high schools in the surrounding area. They have over 20 clubs and organizations and varsity sports teams.
Specialty Schools
Adult Learning Center – Anyone who is 18 years or older without a high school diploma can attend this center. The Center offers classes designed to help individuals who are preparing to take the GED test, as well as adults who would like assistance to improve their basic education skills.
Central Virginia Governor’s School for Science and Technology – CVGS is a dynamic educational community exploring the connections among mathematics, science and technology. This program for academically-gifted students aims to develop leaders who possess the research and technical skills, the global perspective, and the vision needed to address the challenges of a rapidly changing society.
Fort Hill Community School – This nationally recognized alternative program is designed to accommodate educational, behavioral, and/or medical needs of students that can’t be adequately addressed in the traditional school environment.
Carl B. Hutcherson Early Learning Center – This early Learning Center is home to two preschool programs specifically for children that demonstrate delays in the communication, personal/social, motor, cognitive abilities.
Laurel Regional Program – The LAUREL program provides classroom instruction for regional students, ages 2-21, who are severely and profoundly mentally or physically handicapped or autistic.
XLR8 – Lynchburg Regional Governor’s STEM Academy is located on the campus of Central Virginia Community College, XLR8 offers academic and technical training related to careers in engineering, mechatronics, biotechnology, health science, and cybersecurity.
LCS Virtual Academy – this online academy is completed totally virtually. It allows for teachers to create a completely personalized plan for each student.
Private Schools
Virginia Episcopal School – A private college preparatory boarding and day school serving high school.
Liberty Christian Academy – A private school serving PK and K-12 with a focus on Christian education.
New Covenant School – A private school rooted in the teaching of classical Christian education serving PK and K-12.
James River Day School – An independent, co-educational, non-sectarian school serving K-8.
Blue Ridge Montessori School – A non-profit school focused on a child’s love for learning in a nurturing environment serving PK and K-4.
Rivermont School – An independent school focused on providing a therapeutic educational program for students ages 5-22 in grades K-12 with special needs and those that have difficulty in a traditional classroom.
New Vistas Schools – An independent, non-sectarian, non-profit institution serving those with attention, emotional and learning challenges serving grades 4-12.
I Came to Lynchburg, VA, for College and Stayed for My Career
LYH offers a range of education, job, and recreation options