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Very Good

#439 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 24% in state

Bethel Elementary

Elementary School · Gloucester County Public Schools

2991 Hickory Fork Rd, Gloucester, VA 23061

Enrollment

496

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Gloucester

#4 of 6

public schools

Virginia elementary schools

#245 of 1,147

In district

#5 of 8

Gloucester County Public Schools

Equity

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Bethel Elementary

Bethel Elementary serves 496 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in rural Gloucester County, Virginia. With 38 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.1 to 1, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. Academically, Bethel Elementary demonstrates strong performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks in the 80th percentile statewide at #364 out of 1,856 Virginia elementary schools.

The school's academic strength is particularly evident in core subjects, with 81% of students achieving proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading, while an impressive 87% reach proficiency in Mathematics. The school draws from a stable community in the 23061 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $92,014 and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 6.7%. Families in the area show a moderate level of educational attainment, with 27% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median home value of $277,900 reflects a well-established residential community.

Located on Hickory Fork Road, Bethel Elementary sits in Gloucester County's rural landscape, providing students with a small-town school experience while maintaining solid academic standards.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Bethel Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.28 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency91%
Reading/ELA Proficiency81%
Math vs. State Avg+17.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.3 pts
Overall Proficiency86%
Expected (poverty-adj.)75%
vs. Expected+10.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.9Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,604

Bethel Elementary — Students at Bethel Elementary score 86% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 87.2%
School
State
73.5%
ELA Proficiency 80.7%
School
State
72.2%

Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
92%
ELA
88%
2021*
Math
68%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
90.8%
ELA
81%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Bethel Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
76th percentile in VA
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

Location

2991 Hickory Fork Rd, Gloucester, VA 23061

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bethel Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Petsworth Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is WARE ACADEMY (rated 7.4/10, 5.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Botetourt Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 3.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Gloucester, see our Gloucester schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Peasley Middle Gloucester 0.2 mi 8.1
Petsworth Elementary Gloucester 3.6 mi 8.5
GLOUCESTER MONTESSORI SCHOOL Gloucester 3.4 mi
Botetourt Elementary Gloucester 3.9 mi 7.3
Gloucester High Gloucester 4.9 mi 6.9
Page Middle Gloucester 5.7 mi 8.5
WARE ACADEMY Gloucester 5.6 mi 7.4
Bruton High Williamsburg 8.4 mi 8.4
Queens Lake Middle Williamsburg 9.5 mi 7.6
Abingdon Elementary Hayes 9.6 mi 6.5
Magruder Elementary Williamsburg 10.6 mi 5.9
Waller Mill Elementary Williamsburg 10.0 mi 6.1
COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Williamsburg 10.4 mi 5.9
Matthew Whaley Elementary Williamsburg 10.9 mi 5.0
James Blair Middle Williamsburg 10.6 mi 7.3
Warhill High Williamsburg 9.9 mi 7.1
Norge Elementary Williamsburg 9.5 mi 6.1
WILLIAMSBURG CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Williamsburg 10.1 mi 5.1
Lafayette High Williamsburg 10.9 mi 7.1
Stonehouse Elementary Williamsburg 10.4 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23061 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$91,547

Median Home Value

$297,100

Median Rent

$1,199/mo

Population

23,219

College Educated

28.4%

Homeownership

87.2%

Avg Commute

34.1 min

Poverty Rate

6.5%

Median Age

45.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bethel Elementary has a median household income of $91,547. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $297,100, with a median rent of $1,199/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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
A.W.E. Bassette Elementary Hampton, VA 7.5
Achilles Elementary Hayes, VA 7.5
CONGRESSIONAL SCHOOL Falls Church, VA 7.5
Cedar Point Elementary Bristow, VA 7.5
College Park Elementary Virginia Beach, VA 7.5
Cunningham Park Elementary Vienna, VA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bethel Elementary

What grades does Bethel Elementary serve?

Bethel Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Bethel Elementary?

Bethel Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 496 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bethel Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Bethel Elementary is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bethel Elementary rank in VA?

Bethel Elementary is ranked #439 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Bethel Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Bethel Elementary has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Bethel Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bethel Elementary has 87.2% math proficiency and 80.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bethel Elementary a charter school?

No, Bethel Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bethel Elementary a Title I school?

No, Bethel Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bethel Elementary?

66.5% of students at Bethel 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (1,111/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Gloucester County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Gloucester County Public Schools
District Enrollment
4,990
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,604
District Rank
#5 of 8

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 methodology

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