Needs Improvement
#1674 of 1,850 schools in VA
Henry D. Ward Elementary
Elementary School · Henrico County Public Schools
3400 Darbytown Road, Richmond, VA 23231
Enrollment
499
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
499
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Richmond
#71 of 94
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#983 of 1,147
In district
#49 of 67
Henrico County Public Schools
About Henry D. Ward Elementary
Henry D. Ward Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Richmond, Virginia’s Henrico County on Darbytown Road. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 499 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1 with 29 full-time equivalent teachers.
The school is situated in a large suburban area where it focuses on providing educational support to its diverse student body. With a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.0 out of 10, Henry D. Ward Elementary ranks at the 11th percentile among Virginia schools, indicating that there is room for academic growth and improvement.
The school's students show proficiency rates of 63% in ELA/Reading and 55% in Math across all grades, reflecting areas where additional support might be beneficial. Henry D. Ward Elementary is part of a vibrant suburban community in Richmond, Henrico County.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Henry D. Ward Elementary — Students at Henry D. Ward Elementary score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
92.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 12 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: 4.5/10.
How Henry D. Ward Elementary Compares
See how Henry D. Ward Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 56% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 65% (2025).
Location
3400 Darbytown Road, Richmond, VA 23231
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Henry D. Ward Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Anthony P. Mehfoud Elementary (rated 4.1/10, 2.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Varina Elementary (rated 3.8/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Jacob L. Adams Elementary (rated 3.8/10, 5.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Richmond, see our Richmond schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony P. Mehfoud Elementary Richmond | 2.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Varina Elementary Richmond | 2.3 mi | 3.8 |
| George F. Baker Elementary Richmond | 2.6 mi | 2.4 |
| John Rolfe Middle Richmond | 2.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Seven Pines Elementary Sandston | 3.5 mi | 2.8 |
| Varina High Richmond | 3.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Sandston Elementary Sandston | 4.0 mi | 3.3 |
| Fair Oaks Elementary Highland Springs | 4.6 mi | 2.8 |
| Highland Springs High Highland Springs | 4.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Montrose Elementary Richmond | 4.6 mi | 3.0 |
| Highland Springs Elementary Highland Springs | 5.3 mi | 3.1 |
| Cashell Donahoe Elementary Sandston | 5.2 mi | 3.1 |
| Jacob L. Adams Elementary Richmond | 5.3 mi | 3.8 |
| CHURCH HILL ACADEMY Richmond | 5.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Henrico Virtual Academy Henrico | 5.8 mi | — |
| Fairfield Middle Richmond | 5.7 mi | 4.3 |
| NEW BRIDGE ACADEMY Sandston | 5.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Elko Middle Sandston | 5.6 mi | 5.4 |
| LYNNHAVEN SCHOOL Henrico | 5.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Franklin Military Academy Richmond | 6.1 mi | 8.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 23231 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,245
Median Home Value
$270,400
Median Rent
$1,272/mo
Population
37,949
College Educated
28.6%
Homeownership
67.7%
Avg Commute
26.1 min
Poverty Rate
12.5%
Median Age
42.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Henry D. Ward Elementary has a median household income of $74,245. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $270,400, with a median rent of $1,272/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Brookneal Elementary Brookneal, VA | 3.8 |
| Discovery STEM Academy Newport News, VA | 3.8 |
| Forestdale Elementary Springfield, VA | 3.8 |
| George Carr Round Elementary Manassas, VA | 3.8 |
| Greenwood Mill Elementary Winchester, VA | 3.8 |
| Jacob L. Adams Elementary Richmond, VA | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Henry D. Ward Elementary
What grades does Henry D. Ward Elementary serve?
Henry D. Ward Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Henry D. Ward Elementary?
Henry D. Ward Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 499 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Henry D. Ward Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Henry D. Ward Elementary is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Henry D. Ward Elementary rank in VA?
Henry D. Ward Elementary is ranked #1674 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Henry D. Ward Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Henry D. Ward Elementary has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Henry D. Ward Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Henry D. Ward Elementary has 55.2% math proficiency and 63.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Henry D. Ward Elementary a charter school?
No, Henry D. Ward Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Henry D. Ward Elementary a Title I school?
No, Henry D. Ward Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Henry D. Ward Elementary?
92.8% of students at Henry D. Ward 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 (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
- 499
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 92.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Henrico County
- Phone
- (804) 795-7030
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Henrico County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 50,463
- Schools in District
- 81
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,973
- District Rank
- #49 of 67
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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