Skip to main content

Very Good

#305 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 16% in state

Hickory Elementary

Elementary School · Chesapeake City Public Schools

109 Benefit Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322

Enrollment

649

Student-Teacher

17.5:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chesapeake

#8 of 45

public schools

Virginia elementary schools

#163 of 1,147

In district

#8 of 45

Chesapeake City Public Schools

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Hickory Elementary

Hickory Elementary serves 649 students in grades PK through 5 in Chesapeake, Virginia, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. Ranked #225 out of 1,856 Virginia elementary schools, placing it in the 88th percentile statewide, the school demonstrates strong academic achievement with 87% of students proficient or above in English Language Arts and an impressive 91% proficient or above in mathematics. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.5:1 with 37 full-time equivalent teachers, providing students with solid instructional support.

This academic excellence reflects the commitment of both the school community and the broader neighborhood it serves. Located at 109 Benefit Road, Hickory Elementary draws from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $129,628 and 42% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The low poverty rate of 5.1% in the surrounding area contributes to a stable learning environment for students.

Home values averaging $434,600 indicate a well-established residential community that values education. Hickory Elementary sits in a rural setting near town, offering students the benefits of a more spacious, peaceful environment while maintaining access to urban amenities and resources in the greater Chesapeake area.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Hickory Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.4Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency94%
Reading/ELA Proficiency89%
Math vs. State Avg+20.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.3 pts
Overall Proficiency92%
Expected (poverty-adj.)87%
vs. Expected+4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,740

Hickory Elementary — Students at Hickory Elementary score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 87%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 91.2%
School
State
73.5%
ELA Proficiency 87.0%
School
State
72.2%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
88%
ELA
84%
2021*
Math
84%
ELA
82%
2025
Math
93.8%
ELA
89%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How Hickory Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
84th percentile in VA
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
2.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

Location

109 Benefit Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hickory Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CEDAR ROAD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.5/10, 6.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Moyock Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Moyock), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Butts Road Intermediate (rated 6.6/10, 5.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Chesapeake, see our Chesapeake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Hickory High Chesapeake 1.2 mi 7.6
DISCOVER LEARNING CENTER Chesapeake 1.4 mi
Hickory Middle Chesapeake 1.5 mi 7.8
HICKORY RIDGE ACADEMY Chesapeake 1.7 mi
Southeastern Elementary Chesapeake 1.9 mi 5.9
GREAT HOPE BAPTIST SCHOOL Chesapeake 3.1 mi 6.3
Great Bridge Intermediate Chesapeake 4.3 mi 6.4
Great Bridge High Chesapeake 4.3 mi 8.1
GREAT BRIDGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Chesapeake 5.1 mi 6.8
Butts Road Primary Chesapeake 5.4 mi 5.5
GREAT BRIDGE PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN Chesapeake 5.4 mi
Great Bridge Middle Chesapeake 5.5 mi 7.3
Butts Road Intermediate Chesapeake 5.9 mi 6.6
MT PLEASANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chesapeake 6.0 mi 4.9
GREAT BRIDGE PRESBYTERIAN PRESCHOOL Chesapeake 6.1 mi 2.7
Great Bridge Primary Chesapeake 6.3 mi 4.7
CEDAR ROAD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Chesapeake 6.5 mi 7.5
Moyock Elementary Moyock 7.6 mi 7.3
VERITAS COLLEGIATE ACADEMY Chesapeake 7.7 mi 7.3
Oscar F. Smith High Chesapeake 8.0 mi 8.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23322 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$133,522

Median Home Value

$448,000

Median Rent

$1,870/mo

Population

66,079

College Educated

41.5%

Homeownership

89.3%

Avg Commute

28.2 min

Poverty Rate

5.3%

Median Age

40.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hickory Elementary has a median household income of $133,522. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $448,000, with a median rent of $1,870/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% 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
Centre Ridge Elementary Centreville, VA 7.8
Christopher C. Kraft Elementary Hampton, VA 7.8
Emerick Elementary Purcellville, VA 7.8
Fort Belvoir Upper Elementary Fort Belvoir, VA 7.8
Frederick Douglass Elementary Leesburg, VA 7.8
Ghent K-8 Norfolk, VA 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hickory Elementary

What grades does Hickory Elementary serve?

Hickory Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Hickory Elementary?

Hickory Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 649 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hickory Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Hickory Elementary is 17.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hickory Elementary rank in VA?

Hickory Elementary is ranked #305 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Hickory Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Hickory Elementary has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Hickory Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hickory Elementary has 91.2% math proficiency and 87.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hickory Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Hickory Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

18.3% of students at Hickory 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
17 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,087/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
649
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
18.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Chesapeake city
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Chesapeake City Public Schools
District Enrollment
40,576
Schools in District
48
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,274
District Rank
#8 of 45

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.