These Are The Best Elementary, Middle Schools In VA, New Ranking Says

VIRGINIA — Several elementary and middle schools around Virginia are included among the best in the country, according to new rankings released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report.

The news outlet based its 2024 Best Elementary and Middle School rankings on publicly available data from the U.S. Department of Education, focusing on student proficiency in core subject areas.

In Virginia, the top 10 elementary schools are:

1. Kingston Elementary School in Virginia Beach
2. Old Donation School in Virginia Beach
3. Poplar Tree Elementary School in Fairfax County
4. Wolf Trap Elementary in Fairfax County
5. Haycock Elementary School in Fairfax County
6. St. Paul Elementary School in Wise County
7. Gayton Elementary School in Henrico County
8. Madison's Trust Elementary School in Loudoun County
9. Kent Gardens Elementary School in Fairfax County
10. Sangster Elementary School in Fairfax County

The top 10 middle schools in Virginia are:

1. Old Donation School in Virginia Beach
2. St. Paul Elementary School in Wise County (Note: The school serves students through eighth grade.)
3. Longfellow Middle School in Fairfax County
4. Mary G. Porter Traditional in Prince William County
5. Williamsburg Middle School in Arlington County
6. Rocky Run Middle School in Fairfax County
7. Carson Middle School in Fairfax County
8. Lake Braddock Secondary in Fairfax County
9. Cooper Middle School in Fairfax County
10. Tabb Middle School in York County

The U.S. News list includes data on more than 79,000 public elementary and middle schools nationwide.

In the analysis, U.S. News looked closely at state assessment of students who were proficient or above-proficient in mathematics and reading/language arts, while also accounting for student backgrounds, achievement in core subjects, and how well schools are educating their students. Student-teacher ratios are applied to break ties in the overall score.

LaMont Jones, managing editor for education at U.S. News, said the state and district-level rankings are intended to give parents a snapshot of their child’s school and how well it’s doing within its community.

“Easily accessible data on student-teacher ratio, district spending, and the number of school counselors available at the school can keep parents informed and involved,” Jones said.

To be included in district-level rankings, at least two of the top performing schools must rank in the top 75 percent of the overall elementary or middle school rankings to qualify for district-level recognition.

Related: U.S. News Best High Schools 2023: TJ Ranking Falls