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Needs Improvement

#1734 of 1,850 schools in VA

Herndon Elementary

Elementary School · Fairfax County Public Schools

630 Dranesville Rd, Herndon, VA 20170

Enrollment

807

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

3.4

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Herndon

#13 of 14

public schools

Virginia elementary schools

#1,039 of 1,147

In district

#196 of 199

Fairfax County Public Schools

School environment

7.1 / 10

Strong

About Herndon Elementary

Herndon Elementary serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in Herndon, Virginia, within the Fairfax County Public Schools system. The school enrolls 807 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1 with 52 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Herndon Elementary is currently facing significant challenges.

The school has a MySchoolScout rating of 2.1 out of 10 and ranks in the bottom percentile of Virginia schools. In English Language Arts and Reading, approximately 45 percent of students score at proficient levels or above, while math proficiency sits at around 44 percent. These metrics indicate the school is focusing on building stronger academic foundations across core subjects.

Located at 630 Dranesville Road in a large suburban area, Herndon Elementary serves a diverse community. The school offers a traditional public school setting with a reasonable class size relative to the student population. Parents considering this school should be aware of the current academic performance levels and may want to discuss specific support services, intervention programs, or curriculum approaches with the school directly to understand how the staff is working to improve student outcomes.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.0Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.5Significantly Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44%
Math vs. State Avg-34.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-31.7 pts
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)75%
vs. Expected-33.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,977

Herndon Elementary — Students at Herndon Elementary score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 44.4%
School
State
70.0%
ELA Proficiency 44.7%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 15 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
65%
ELA
54%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
40%
2025
Math
43.3%
ELA
43.8%

* 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 Herndon Elementary Compares

See how Herndon Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.4/10
6th percentile in VA
Academic
1.5/10
1.5/10
Growth
3.0/10
Below average
Environment
7.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
52 teachers

Location

630 Dranesville Rd, Herndon, VA 20170

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Herndon Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Aldrin Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Reston), which scores notably higher. Another option is McNair Upper Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Armstrong Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Reston), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Herndon, see our Herndon schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF HERNDON Herndon 0.5 mi
Herndon High Herndon 0.7 mi 7.2
TEMPLE BAPTIST SCHOOL Herndon 0.8 mi 8.1
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Herndon 0.9 mi 5.1
Clearview Elementary Herndon 0.9 mi 5.8
Herndon Middle Herndon 1.0 mi 7.4
Armstrong Elementary Reston 1.0 mi 7.6
MONTESSORI COUNTRY SCHOOL Herndon 1.2 mi
DULLES MONTESSORI SCHOOL Herndon 1.2 mi
Dranesville Elementary Herndon 1.5 mi 7.2
Forest Grove Elementary Sterling 1.6 mi 4.2
Sully Elementary Sterling 1.9 mi 4.2
Lake Anne Elementary Reston 1.8 mi 5.1
Hutchison Elementary Herndon 1.9 mi 4.4
Dogwood Elementary Reston 2.3 mi 4.3
GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT HERNDON Herndon 2.2 mi
Sterling Middle Sterling 2.3 mi 5.9
McNair Upper Elementary Herndon 2.4 mi 8.3
Aldrin Elementary Reston 2.1 mi 8.7
GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT RESTON Herndon 2.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20170 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$157,875

Median Home Value

$625,600

Median Rent

$2,224/mo

Population

43,372

College Educated

56.6%

Homeownership

69.1%

Avg Commute

27.8 min

Poverty Rate

8.5%

Median Age

35.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Herndon Elementary has a median household income of $157,875. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $625,600, with a median rent of $2,224/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Coates Elementary Herndon, VA 3.4
Elizabeth Vaughan Elementary Woodbridge, 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
Monterey Elementary Roanoke, VA 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Herndon Elementary

What grades does Herndon Elementary serve?

Herndon Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Herndon Elementary?

Herndon Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 807 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Herndon Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Herndon Elementary is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Herndon Elementary rank in VA?

Herndon Elementary is ranked #1734 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Herndon Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Herndon 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 Herndon Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Herndon Elementary has 44.4% math proficiency and 44.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Herndon Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Herndon Elementary a Title I school?

No, Herndon Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Herndon Elementary?

67.4% of students at Herndon 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 (2,035/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
807
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
52
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Fairfax County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Fairfax County Public Schools
District Enrollment
180,714
Schools in District
223
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,975
District Rank
#196 of 199

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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