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Excellent

#115 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 6% 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

8.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#115 of 1,851

In Staunton

#2 of 10

public schools

In district

#2 of 6

Staunton City Public Schools

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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Bessie Weller Elementary

8.8/10

Elementary School in Staunton · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Grace Christian School

5.7/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Stuart Hall School

7.9/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bessie Weller Elementary

Bessie Weller Elementary is a public elementary school in Staunton, VA, part of Staunton City Public Schools. Bessie Weller Elementary serves approximately 377 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Bessie Weller Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10 and ranks #115 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Bessie Weller Elementary show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 8.8 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.6
  • VA avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+0.15 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.1Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency74% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg+1.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.7 pts
Overall Proficiency75% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)68% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
Resources & Environment9.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,422
Chronic Absenteeism13.8%

Bessie Weller Elementary — Students at Bessie Weller Elementary score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

81.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 64.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.5% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 64.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.2% (2025 SOL)

Based on 33 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
37%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
54%
ELA
51%
2015
Math
63%
ELA
59%
2016
Math
63%
ELA
59%
2017
ELA
67%
2018
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
75%
ELA
73.8%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How Bessie Weller Elementary Compares

See how Bessie Weller Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.8/10
94th percentile in VA
Academic
7.1/10
Very Good
Growth
9.6/10
Excellent
Environment
9.2/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
81%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 9.1/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Arthur R. Ware Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 2.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, C.F. RICHARDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 1.0 miles away), 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 7.2
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 9.1
Staunton High Staunton 2.1 mi 7.0
Shelburne Middle Staunton 2.1 mi 6.1
Arthur R. Ware Elementary Staunton 2.1 mi 7.8
Staunton City School PreSchool Programs Staunton 2.7 mi 3.3
Beverley Manor Middle Staunton 2.7 mi 5.4
Wilson Elementary Fishersville 4.8 mi 4.5
Wilson Middle Fishersville 4.8 mi 5.3
Wilson Memorial High Fishersville 4.9 mi 7.2
PILGRIM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Stuarts Draft 6.6 mi 3.8
Stuarts Draft High Stuarts Draft 7.1 mi 6.5
Stuarts Draft Elementary Stuarts Draft 7.2 mi 5.6

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bonsack Elementary Roanoke, VA 8.8
Cherry Run Elementary Burke, VA 8.8
Stony Mill Elementary Danville, VA 8.8
Creeds Elementary Virginia Beach, VA 8.9
Fries Elementary Fries, VA 8.9
Ivy Elementary Charlottesville, VA 8.9

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 ranks #115 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Bessie Weller Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Bessie Weller Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bessie Weller Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bessie Weller Elementary has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
58 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.8%

District

Staunton City Public Schools
District Enrollment
2,695
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,422
District Rank
#2 of 6

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