Excellent
#184 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 10% in state
Bessie Weller Elementary
Elementary School · Staunton City Public Schools
600 Greenville Ave, Staunton, VA 24401
Enrollment
377
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
377
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Staunton
#3 of 10
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#94 of 1,147
In district
#3 of 6
Staunton City Public Schools
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Bessie Weller Elementary
Bessie Weller Elementary is a public elementary school in Staunton, VA, part of the Staunton City Public Schools. The school serves approximately 377 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 90.1th percentile among VA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 70% proficiency in math, 4 points below the state average and 70% in reading/language arts, 2 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.3/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $63,746, where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a small city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Bessie Weller Elementary — Students at Bessie Weller Elementary score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.3/10.
How Bessie Weller Elementary Compares
See how Bessie Weller Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 77% (2019) to 75% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 74% (2025).
Location
600 Greenville Ave, Staunton, VA 24401
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bessie Weller Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Thomas C. McSwain Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Arthur R. Ware Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 2.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Stuarts Draft Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Stuarts Draft), a more accessible option. For more schools in Staunton, see our Staunton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Staunton | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| STUART HALL SCHOOL Staunton | 0.9 mi | 7.9 |
| ELK HILL STAUNTON SCHOOL Staunton | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind High Staunton | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind Middle Staunton | 1.0 mi | — |
| Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind Elementary Staunton | 1.0 mi | — |
| C.F. RICHARDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Staunton | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE Staunton | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Thomas C. McSwain Elementary Staunton | 1.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Staunton High Staunton | 2.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Shelburne Middle Staunton | 2.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Arthur R. Ware Elementary Staunton | 2.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Staunton City School PreSchool Programs Staunton | 2.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Beverley Manor Middle Staunton | 2.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Wilson Elementary Fishersville | 4.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Wilson Middle Fishersville | 4.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Wilson Memorial High Fishersville | 4.9 mi | 6.7 |
| PILGRIM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Stuarts Draft | 6.6 mi | 3.8 |
| Stuarts Draft High Stuarts Draft | 7.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Stuarts Draft Elementary Stuarts Draft | 7.2 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,746
Median Home Value
$253,700
Median Rent
$1,002/mo
Population
37,720
College Educated
32.2%
Homeownership
63.6%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
11.3%
Median Age
44.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bessie Weller Elementary has a median household income of $63,746. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $253,700, with a median rent of $1,002/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Belmont Elementary Woodbridge, VA | 8.3 |
| Olde Creek Elementary Fairfax, VA | 8.3 |
| Campbell Elementary Arlington, VA | 8.4 |
| Colonial Elementary Troutville, VA | 8.4 |
| Critzer Elementary Pulaski, VA | 8.4 |
| J.B. Fisher Elementary Richmond, VA | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bessie Weller Elementary
What grades does Bessie Weller Elementary serve?
Bessie Weller Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Bessie Weller Elementary?
Bessie Weller Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 377 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bessie Weller Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Bessie Weller Elementary is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bessie Weller Elementary rank in VA?
Bessie Weller Elementary is ranked #184 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Bessie Weller Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bessie Weller Elementary has a composite rating of 8.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bessie Weller Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bessie Weller Elementary has 69.8% math proficiency and 69.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bessie Weller Elementary a charter school?
No, Bessie Weller Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bessie Weller Elementary a Title I school?
No, Bessie Weller Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bessie Weller Elementary?
81.4% of students at Bessie Weller Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Staunton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 377
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Staunton city
- Phone
- (540) 332-3940
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Staunton City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,695
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,422
- District Rank
- #3 of 6
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.