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Needs Improvement

#1794 of 1,850 schools in VA

Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary

Elementary School · Henrico County Public Schools

2901 Thalen St, Richmond, VA 23223

Enrollment

392

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

3.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Richmond

#78 of 94

public schools

Virginia elementary schools

#1,094 of 1,147

In district

#58 of 67

Henrico County Public Schools

School environment

7.5 / 10

Very strong

About Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary

Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary serves 392 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Richmond's Henrico County. This regular public school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1 with 35 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive more individualized attention. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, achieving a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking #142 out of 1,856 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 92nd percentile among Virginia schools.

This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence and student achievement. Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary draws families from a diverse community where the median household income is $52,246 and median home values average $217,000. The surrounding neighborhood includes families from various educational backgrounds, with 29% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

While 19.1% of the area faces economic challenges, this diversity contributes to a rich learning environment where students from different backgrounds come together. Located at 2901 Thalen Street, the school sits in a large suburban setting that provides students with access to both educational resources and community amenities, fostering a well-rounded elementary school experience in this established Richmond area.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.99 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.5Significantly Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Math vs. State Avg-38.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-33.7 pts
Overall Proficiency39%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected-30.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,658

Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary — Students at Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

93.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 35.1%
School
State
73.5%
ELA Proficiency 43.3%
School
State
72.2%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
62%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
32%
2025
Math
35.3%
ELA
42%

* 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: 2.2/10.

How Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary Compares

See how Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.0/10
3th percentile in VA
Academic
1.5/10
1.5/10
Growth
2.2/10
Below average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
93%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

Location

2901 Thalen St, Richmond, VA 23223

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fairfield Court Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Arthur Ashe Jr. Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Overby-Sheppard Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Richmond, see our Richmond schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Harvie Elementary Richmond 0.6 mi 6.3
Glen Lea Elementary Richmond 1.1 mi 2.6
Armstrong High Richmond 1.3 mi 7.6
Fairfield Court Elementary Richmond 1.4 mi 7.7
ANNA JULIA COOPER SCHOOL Richmond 1.7 mi 4.7
Woodville Elementary Richmond 1.7 mi 4.9
Arthur Ashe Jr. Elementary Richmond 1.4 mi 7.0
GEARA GROUP/EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER Richmond 1.4 mi 7.0
LANDMARK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Richmond 1.5 mi 7.7
Overby-Sheppard Elementary Richmond 2.0 mi 6.9
Fairfield Middle Richmond 2.2 mi 4.3
Jacob L. Adams Elementary Richmond 2.5 mi 3.8
Henry Marsh III Elementary Richmond 2.6 mi 1.9
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle Richmond 2.4 mi 6.3
Richmond Community High Richmond 2.2 mi 9.5
Martin Luther King Jr. Early Learning Center Richmond 2.5 mi 7.0
Franklin Military Academy Richmond 2.8 mi 8.6
METROPOLITAN DAY SCHOOL Richmond 2.4 mi
Chimborazo Elementary Richmond 2.9 mi 5.9
Mechanicsville Elementary Mechanicsville 3.0 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23223 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,518

Median Home Value

$236,300

Median Rent

$1,224/mo

Population

56,569

College Educated

31.6%

Homeownership

44.2%

Avg Commute

22 min

Poverty Rate

19.1%

Median Age

35

Community Profile

The community surrounding Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary has a median household income of $56,518. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $236,300, with a median rent of $1,224/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.1%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Miles Jones Elementary Richmond, VA 3.0
Montrose Elementary Richmond, VA 3.0
Salem Church Elementary North Chesterfield, VA 3.0
Stanleytown Elementary Stanleytown, VA 3.0
Agnor-Hurt Elementary Charlottesville, VA 2.9
Cashell Donahoe Elementary Sandston, VA 3.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary

What grades does Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary serve?

Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary?

Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 392 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary rank in VA?

Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary is ranked #1794 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary has a composite rating of 3.0 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 Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary has 35.1% math proficiency and 43.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary a Title I school?

No, Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harold Macon Ratcliffe Elementary?

93.4% of students at Harold Macon Ratcliffe 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

City Safety
High (3,531/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Richmond). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
392
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
93.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Henrico County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Henrico County Public Schools
District Enrollment
50,463
Schools in District
81
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,973
District Rank
#58 of 67

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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