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Needs Improvement

#1818 of 1,851 schools in VA

Based on limited data

Hugh Mercer Elementary

Elementary School · Fredericksburg City Public Schools

2100 Cowan Blvd, Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Enrollment

849

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

2.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,818 of 1,851

In Fredericksburg

#26 of 26

public schools

In district

#5 of 5

Fredericksburg City Public Schools

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Hugh Mercer Elementary

2.4/10

Elementary School in Fredericksburg · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

James Monroe High

5.3/10

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

The Gladys H Oberle School

8.0/10

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

About Hugh Mercer Elementary

Hugh Mercer Elementary is a public elementary school in Fredericksburg, VA, part of Fredericksburg City Public Schools. Hugh Mercer Elementary serves approximately 849 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. Hugh Mercer Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,818 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Hugh Mercer Elementary show 44% math proficiency (2025 SOL) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 SOL). Based on limited data: 50% component coverage.

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 2.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.0
  • VA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

33% of students at Hugh Mercer Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics2.0Needs Improvement60%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency48% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-29.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.7 pts
Overall Proficiency46% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)67% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-21.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
Resources & Environment3.0Needs Improvement40%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,150
Chronic Absenteeism32.5%

Hugh Mercer Elementary — Students at Hugh Mercer Elementary score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 43.8% (2025 SOL)
School
State
73.5% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 48.3% (2025 SOL)
School
State
72.2% (2025 SOL)

Based on 8 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

How Hugh Mercer Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
2.4/10
2th percentile in VA
Academic
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.5%

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

2100 Cowan Blvd, Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hugh Mercer Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ferry Farm Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Conway Elementary (rated 5.0/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Battlefield Elementary (rated 4.7/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fredericksburg, see our Fredericksburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
James Monroe High Fredericksburg 0.9 mi 5.3
THE GLADYS H OBERLE SCHOOL Fredericksburg 1.3 mi 8.0
Lafayette Elementary Fredericksburg 1.9 mi 3.6
Walker-Grant Middle Fredericksburg 2.0 mi 3.8
Walker-Grant Early Childhood Center Fredericksburg 1.6 mi 2.7
Rising Star Early Childhood Education Center at Melchers Fredericksburg 2.2 mi 2.6
CHILDRENS HOUSE OF OLD TOWN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Fredericksburg 1.9 mi
RIVERMONT SCHOOL - FREDERICKSBURG Fredericksburg 2.9 mi 7.4
FREDERICKSBURG ACADEMY Fredericksburg 3.3 mi 7.1
Falmouth Elementary Falmouth 3.1 mi 3.9
Salem Elementary Fredericksburg 2.8 mi 3.5
Edward E. Drew Jr. Middle Falmouth 3.3 mi 5.8
ELITE ACADEMY CORPORATION Fredericksburg 2.9 mi
ALTERNATIVE PATHS TRAINING SCHOOL -STAFF EAST/WEST Fredericksburg 3.6 mi 7.6
Ferry Farm Elementary Fredericksburg 3.0 mi 6.6
CORNERSTONE LIFE ACADEMY Fredericksburg 3.9 mi
Stafford Senior High Fredericksburg 4.1 mi 7.0
Conway Elementary Fredericksburg 3.8 mi 5.0
T. Benton Gayle Middle Fredericksburg 4.4 mi 5.2
Battlefield Elementary Fredericksburg 4.0 mi 4.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 22401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$85,432

Median Home Value

$461,600

Median Rent

$1,518/mo

Population

28,201

College Educated

46.8%

Homeownership

41.6%

Avg Commute

32.6 min

Poverty Rate

16%

Median Age

31.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cashell Donahoe Elementary Sandston, VA 2.4
Dumbarton Elementary Richmond, VA 2.5
Harrison Road Elementary Fredericksburg, VA 2.5
Douglass Park Elementary Portsmouth, VA 2.2
G.H. Reid Elementary Richmond, VA 2.2
Joseph H. Saunders Elementary Newport News, VA 2.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hugh Mercer Elementary

What grades does Hugh Mercer Elementary serve?

Hugh Mercer Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Hugh Mercer Elementary?

Hugh Mercer Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 849 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hugh Mercer Elementary?

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

How does Hugh Mercer Elementary rank in VA?

Hugh Mercer Elementary ranks #1,818 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Hugh Mercer Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Hugh Mercer Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 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 Hugh Mercer Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hugh Mercer Elementary has 44% math proficiency (2025 SOL) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 SOL).

Is Hugh Mercer Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Hugh Mercer Elementary a Title I school?

No, Hugh Mercer Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

84.8% of students at Hugh Mercer 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
59 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
849
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
53
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Fredericksburg city
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.5%

District

Fredericksburg City Public Schools
District Enrollment
3,575
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,150
District Rank
#5 of 5

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