Average
#1064 of 1,850 schools in VA
Harry E. James Elementary
Elementary School · Hopewell City Public Schools
1807 Arlington Rd, Hopewell, VA 23860
Enrollment
501
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
501
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hopewell
#2 of 6
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#574 of 1,147
In district
#2 of 6
Hopewell City Public Schools
School environment
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Harry E. James Elementary
Harry E. James Elementary serves 501 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Hopewell, Virginia. With 42 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1, allowing for more individualized attention in each classroom.
The school has earned strong recognition statewide, ranking #147 out of 1,856 Virginia elementary schools and placing in the 92nd percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10. This impressive performance demonstrates the school's commitment to providing quality education for its diverse student body. Harry E.
James Elementary draws students from the surrounding 23860 ZIP code area, where families have a median household income of $54,724 and median home values average $167,000. The community of over 31,000 residents includes families from various educational backgrounds, with 13% holding bachelor's degrees or higher. While 18.8% of the area faces economic challenges, the school works to support all students in their academic journey.
Located on Arlington Road in this large suburban setting, Harry E. James Elementary stands as a cornerstone of the Hopewell educational community, providing a nurturing environment where students can develop strong foundational skills for their future academic success.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Harry E. James Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Harry E. James Elementary — Students at Harry E. James Elementary score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
101.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 13 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: 6.3/10.
How Harry E. James Elementary Compares
See how Harry E. James Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 62% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 57% (2025).
Location
1807 Arlington Rd, Hopewell, VA 23860
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harry E. James Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Elizabeth Scott Elementary (rated 5.9/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Chester), with a very similar rating. Another option is Tussing Elementary (rated 5.9/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Colonial Heights), with a very similar rating. Additionally, North Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Prince George), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Hopewell, see our Hopewell schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Carter G. Woodson Middle Hopewell | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| DREAM TECH ACADEMY Hopewell | 0.8 mi | — |
| THE LEAD CENTER LTD Hopewell | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Woodlawn Pre-School Learning Center Hopewell | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Dupont Elementary Hopewell | 1.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Hopewell High Hopewell | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| BROADWAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hopewell | 1.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Patrick Copeland Elementary Hopewell | 1.7 mi | 3.2 |
| Middle Road Elementary Prince George | 2.2 mi | 4.0 |
| L.L. Beazley Elementary Prince George | 3.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Enon Elementary Chester | 4.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Prince George High Prince George | 5.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Elizabeth Davis Middle Chester | 4.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Elizabeth Scott Elementary Chester | 5.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Tussing Elementary Colonial Heights | 4.3 mi | 5.9 |
| RONALD REAGAN SECONDARY SCHOOL Chester | 5.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Lakemont Elementary Petersburg | 5.3 mi | 4.5 |
| North Elementary Prince George | 5.5 mi | 5.8 |
| GODDARD SCHOOL-RIVERS BEND Chester | 6.3 mi | — |
| Colonial Heights High Colonial Heights | 5.6 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 23860 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,104
Median Home Value
$187,800
Median Rent
$1,103/mo
Population
31,432
College Educated
14.1%
Homeownership
60.7%
Avg Commute
26.5 min
Poverty Rate
20.5%
Median Age
38.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Harry E. James Elementary has a median household income of $55,104. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $187,800, with a median rent of $1,103/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 |
|---|---|
| Barcroft Elementary Arlington, VA | 6.1 |
| Floris Elementary Herndon, VA | 6.1 |
| Grafton Bethel Elementary Grafton, VA | 6.1 |
| Greenfield Elementary Troutville, VA | 6.1 |
| Larchmont Elementary Norfolk, VA | 6.1 |
| Matoaka Elementary Williamsburg, VA | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harry E. James Elementary
What grades does Harry E. James Elementary serve?
Harry E. James Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Harry E. James Elementary?
Harry E. James Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 501 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harry E. James Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Harry E. James Elementary is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harry E. James Elementary rank in VA?
Harry E. James Elementary is ranked #1064 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Harry E. James Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Harry E. James Elementary has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Harry E. James Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harry E. James Elementary has 62.9% math proficiency and 56.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Harry E. James Elementary a charter school?
No, Harry E. James Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harry E. James Elementary a Title I school?
No, Harry E. James Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harry E. James Elementary?
101.6% of students at Harry E. James 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
- City Safety
- High (2,438/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hopewell). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 501
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 101.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Hopewell city
- Phone
- (804) 541-6408
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hopewell City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,944
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,800
- District Rank
- #2 of 6
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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