Needs Improvement
#1735 of 1,850 schools in VA
Coates Elementary
Elementary School · Fairfax County Public Schools
2480 River Birch Rd., Herndon, VA 20171
Enrollment
951
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
951
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Herndon
#14 of 14
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#1,040 of 1,147
In district
#197 of 199
Fairfax County Public Schools
About Coates Elementary
Coates Elementary serves 951 students in prekindergarten through sixth grade in Herndon, Virginia, operating as part of the Fairfax County school system. With 56 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.0:1, providing reasonable class sizes for elementary-aged learners. The school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks in the 12th percentile among Virginia elementary schools, indicating significant room for academic growth and development.
While specific test score data isn't available, these rankings suggest the school is working to strengthen its educational outcomes for students. Coates Elementary draws from an affluent community where families demonstrate strong educational values, with 73% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood's median household income of $155,357 and median home value of $731,500 reflect the area's economic stability, while the low poverty rate of 4.2% indicates most students come from financially secure households.
Located on River Birch Road, the school serves families in this large suburban area of Fairfax County, where the combination of educated families and community resources provides a foundation that could support future academic improvements at Coates Elementary.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Coates Elementary — Students at Coates Elementary score 55% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 77%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 15 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.0/10.
How Coates Elementary Compares
See how Coates Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 59% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 51% (2025).
Location
2480 River Birch Rd., Herndon, VA 20171
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Coates Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. McNair Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fox Mill Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, McNair Upper Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Herndon, see our Herndon schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BERTHOLD ACADEMY FOR THE GIFTED AND TALENTED Herndon | 0.7 mi | — |
| GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT HERNDON Herndon | 0.8 mi | — |
| Hutchison Elementary Herndon | 0.9 mi | 4.4 |
| McNair Elementary Herndon | 0.9 mi | 8.5 |
| McNair Upper Elementary Herndon | 0.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Floris Elementary Herndon | 1.2 mi | 6.1 |
| KING ABDULLAH ACADEMY Herndon | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Carson Middle Herndon | 1.7 mi | 6.4 |
| NYSMITH SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED Herndon | 1.9 mi | 7.8 |
| DULLES MONTESSORI SCHOOL Herndon | 1.9 mi | — |
| Herndon Middle Herndon | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| MONTESSORI COUNTRY SCHOOL Herndon | 1.8 mi | — |
| ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Herndon | 2.0 mi | 5.1 |
| FAIRFAX CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dulles | 2.4 mi | 7.8 |
| PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF CHANTILLY Chantilly | 2.7 mi | — |
| Oak Hill Elementary Herndon | 2.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Forest Grove Elementary Sterling | 2.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Clearview Elementary Herndon | 2.7 mi | 5.8 |
| ST VERONICA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Chantilly | 3.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Fox Mill Elementary Herndon | 2.6 mi | 8.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20171 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$166,154
Median Home Value
$770,200
Median Rent
$2,276/mo
Population
50,796
College Educated
73.8%
Homeownership
56.2%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Median Age
35.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Coates Elementary has a median household income of $166,154. It is a well-educated community where 74% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $770,200, with a median rent of $2,276/month. The local poverty rate of 3.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth Vaughan Elementary Woodbridge, VA | 3.4 |
| Herndon Elementary Herndon, VA | 3.4 |
| Hopkins Road Elementary North Chesterfield, VA | 3.4 |
| Kate Waller Barrett Elementary Stafford, VA | 3.4 |
| Landstown Elementary Virginia Beach, VA | 3.4 |
| Riverheads Elementary Staunton, VA | 3.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Coates Elementary
What grades does Coates Elementary serve?
Coates Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Coates Elementary?
Coates Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 951 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Coates Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Coates Elementary is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Coates Elementary rank in VA?
Coates Elementary is ranked #1735 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Coates Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Coates Elementary has a composite rating of 3.4 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 Coates Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Coates Elementary has 64.1% math proficiency and 53.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Coates Elementary a charter school?
No, Coates Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Coates Elementary a Title I school?
No, Coates Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Coates Elementary?
61.0% of students at Coates 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
- Walk Score
- 23 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 37 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 39 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,035/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Herndon). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 951
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 56
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 61.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Fairfax County
- Phone
- (703) 713-3000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fairfax County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 180,714
- Schools in District
- 223
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,975
- District Rank
- #197 of 199
Other Schools in This District
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
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