More than 2,100 students were in classrooms across Buchanan County on Friday, Aug. 28, as the school division completed its sixth day of the 2026-27 school year.
Buchanan County Public Schools welcomed students back Friday, Aug. 21. The division recorded 1,911 students in attendance on opening day, while sixth-day figures showed 2,111 students — an increase of 200 students.
The numbers represent students who attended school that day rather than the division’s final official enrollment. Some students may have been absent, meaning actual enrollment could vary slightly.
“It has been a great first week of school across Buchanan County Public Schools,” Buchanan County Public Schools Superintendent Sherry Fletcher said. “I am extremely proud of our students, teachers, administrators, and staff for the positive way they have started this school year. At Southern Gap High School, our students and staff have done an outstanding job coming together as one school community. With students and staff joining from four former high schools, this has been a major transition, and I am proud of the way everyone has embraced this new beginning. Our elementary and middle schools have also had a wonderful start. Classrooms are busy, students are learning, and our schools are creating a positive and welcoming environment for our students.”
Council Elementary School reported 161 students. The school had 11 prekindergarten students, 19 kindergarten students, 13 first graders, 12 second graders, 29 third graders, 10 fourth graders, 29 fifth graders, 16 sixth graders and 22 seventh graders.
Tommy P. Justice Elementary School, formerly Hurley Elementary and Middle School, reported 236 students. Its attendance included 10 prekindergarten students, 36 kindergarten students, 25 first graders, 34 second graders, 20 third graders, 42 fourth graders, 28 fifth graders, 19 sixth graders and 22 seventh graders.
Riverview Elementary and Middle School had the largest elementary and middle school attendance, with 695 students. That figure included 71 prekindergarten students, 85 kindergarten students, 90 first graders, 68 second graders, 77 third graders, 83 fourth graders, 61 fifth graders, 102 sixth graders and 58 seventh graders.
Twin Valley Elementary and Middle School reported 225 students. The school had 17 prekindergarten students, 29 kindergarten students, 25 first graders, 22 second graders, 33 third graders, 27 fourth graders, 26 fifth graders, 26 sixth graders and 20 seventh graders.
Southern Gap High School, which opened this year as Buchanan County’s only high school, recorded 794 students in grades eight through 12. The attendance figures included 180 eighth graders, 141 freshmen, 155 sophomores, 163 juniors and 155 seniors.
The sixth-day figures provide an early look at the size of Buchanan County’s student population during a historic year for the school system, as students from across the county begin classes under a newly consolidated structure.
