Best Schools in Gainesville, Virginia
7 schools · 4 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Gainesville?
Use this page to compare every school in Gainesville by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Glenkirk Elementary
Elementary · Prince William County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Buckland Mills Elementary
Elementary · Prince William County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Gainesville Middle
Middle · Prince William County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Gainesville for 2026 are Glenkirk Elementary (8.7/10), Buckland Mills Elementary (7.5/10), and Gainesville Middle (7.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$630,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$630,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Gainesville
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 rated schools; 7 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glenkirk Elementary | 8.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Buckland Mills Elementary | 7.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Gainesville Middle | 7.2 / 10 |
| 4 | George G. Tyler Elementary | 7.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Gainesville High | 6.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Bull Run Middle | 5.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.0/10
- Median household income
- $154,531
- Median home value
- $630,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 55%
- Avg commute
- 35 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 85%
67% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Gainesville compares
Virginia rank
#55 of 185
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.8
above Virginia avg (6.2)
Median household income
$155k
176% of Virginia median
Schools in this city
6
Prince William County Public Schools runs Gainesville's public schools
6 public schools. Prince William County Public Schools is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Gainesville is a Prince William County Public Schools school (6 of 6).
Among 6 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 5.1 to 8.7 — the spread is inside Gainesville, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Gainesville, Virginia
Gainesville, Virginia is home to 7 schools, including 6 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.0 out of 10, schools in Gainesville perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Gainesville is Glenkirk Elementary with a composite score of 8.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Gainesville is served by 1 school district: Prince William County Public Schools. These districts collectively serve 90,550 students.
Gainesville's community shows 55% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $154,531. The poverty rate in the area is 3.4%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 568 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.7 | ||
| 2 | 757 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.5 | ||
| 3 | 468 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.0 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Winwood Childrens CenterPrivate 11 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,363 students · 6th–8th | 7.2 |
| 2 | 1,093 students · 6th–8th | 5.1 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,435 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 |
Schools in Gainesville
Gainesville, Virginia · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$154,531
Median Home Value
$630,400
Median Rent
$2,648/mo
Population
37,516
College Educated
55%
Homeownership
85%
Avg Commute
35 min
Poverty Rate
3.4%
Community Profile
Gainesville has a median household income of $154,531. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $630,400, with a median rent of $2,648/month. The local poverty rate of 3.4% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Virginia
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
Resources
Other Major Cities in Virginia
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Gainesville, Virginia
How many schools are in Gainesville, Virginia?
Gainesville has 7 schools, including 6 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Gainesville, Virginia?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Gainesville is 7.0 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Gainesville, Virginia?
The top-ranked school in Gainesville on MySchoolScout is Glenkirk Elementary with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Gainesville, Virginia?
The top-ranked elementary school in Gainesville on MySchoolScout is Glenkirk Elementary with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Gainesville, Virginia?
The top-ranked middle school in Gainesville on MySchoolScout is Gainesville Middle with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best high school in Gainesville, Virginia?
The top-ranked high school in Gainesville on MySchoolScout is Gainesville High with a composite score of 6.5/10.
How many school districts serve Gainesville, Virginia?
Gainesville is served by 1 school district: Prince William County Public Schools.
What is the education level in Gainesville, Virginia?
According to Census data, 55% of adults in Gainesville have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Gainesville, Virginia?
The median household income in Gainesville is approximately $154,531 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Gainesville, Virginia?
Yes, Gainesville has 1 private school alongside 6 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Gainesville, Virginia?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Gainesville is 14.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Gainesville, Virginia?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- AI in Schools Keeps Making Headlines. Here's What's Actually Going On.ai in education
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- The $1,700 Loophole: How the New Federal School Choice Tax Credit Lowers Private Tuition Billsschool choice
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Virginia Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.