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Needs Improvement

#1668 of 1,851 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

3.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,668 of 1,851

In Richmond

#57 of 94

public schools

In district

#48 of 67

Henrico County Public Schools

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Henry D. Ward Elementary

3.7/10

Elementary School in Richmond · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Anthony P. Mehfoud Elementary

4.0/10

2.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Varina Elementary

4.1/10

2.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Henry D. Ward Elementary

Henry D. Ward Elementary is a public elementary school in Richmond, VA, part of Henrico County Public Schools. Henry D.

Ward Elementary serves approximately 499 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Henry D. Ward Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,668 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Henry D. Ward Elementary show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.8
  • VA avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.52 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency65% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-17.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.7 pts
Overall Proficiency61% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)65% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-4.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,973
Chronic Absenteeism15.8%

Henry D. Ward Elementary — Students at Henry D. Ward Elementary score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

92.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 63.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.5% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 67.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.2% (2025 SOL)

Based on 33 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
90%
ELA
85%
2010
Math
85%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
65%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
64%
ELA
66%
2013
Math
60%
ELA
55%
2014
Math
71%
ELA
65%
2015
Math
74%
ELA
71%
2016
Math
65%
ELA
74%
2017
ELA
70%
2018
Math
70%
ELA
70%
2019
Math
70%
ELA
70%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2025
Math
54.8%
ELA
64%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How Henry D. Ward Elementary Compares

See how Henry D. Ward Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
10th percentile in VA
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
93%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Sandston Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Sandston), which scores notably higher. Another option is Seven Pines Elementary (rated 5.1/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Sandston), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Varina Elementary (rated 4.1/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 4.0
Varina Elementary Richmond 2.3 mi 4.1
George F. Baker Elementary Richmond 2.6 mi 2.3
John Rolfe Middle Richmond 2.7 mi 2.5
Seven Pines Elementary Sandston 3.5 mi 5.1
Varina High Richmond 3.0 mi 6.0
Sandston Elementary Sandston 4.0 mi 6.9
Fair Oaks Elementary Highland Springs 4.6 mi 2.4
Highland Springs High Highland Springs 4.8 mi 5.4
Montrose Elementary Richmond 4.6 mi 3.8
Highland Springs Elementary Highland Springs 5.3 mi 1.6
Cashell Donahoe Elementary Sandston 5.2 mi 2.4
Jacob L. Adams Elementary Richmond 5.3 mi 3.0
CHURCH HILL ACADEMY Richmond 5.1 mi 5.7
Henrico Virtual Academy Henrico 5.8 mi
Fairfield Middle Richmond 5.7 mi 3.2
NEW BRIDGE ACADEMY Sandston 5.5 mi 5.9
Elko Middle Sandston 5.6 mi 3.2
LYNNHAVEN SCHOOL Henrico 5.6 mi 6.2
Franklin Military Academy Richmond 6.1 mi 9.1

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Arthur Ashe Jr. Elementary Richmond, VA 3.7
Chesterfield Virtual School Chesterfield, VA 3.7
Chimborazo Elementary Richmond, VA 3.7
Mary Carr Greer Elementary Charlottesville, VA 3.7
Patrick Copeland Elementary Hopewell, VA 3.7
Reams Road Elementary North Chesterfield, VA 3.7

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 ranks #1,668 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Henry D. Ward Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Henry D. Ward Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Henry D. Ward Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Henry D. Ward Elementary has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.8%

District

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

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