Average
#907 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 49% in state
James River Elementary
Elementary School · Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools
8901 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Enrollment
445
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
445
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Williamsburg
#11 of 19
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#493 of 1,147
In district
#9 of 16
Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About James River Elementary
James River Elementary serves 445 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Williamsburg, Virginia, maintaining a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1 with 38 full-time teachers. The school has earned a solid 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #327 out of 1,856 Virginia elementary schools, placing it in the 82nd percentile statewide. This regular public school operates within James City County's educational system, drawing students from a well-educated community where 52% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding neighborhood reflects economic stability, with a median household income of $98,713 and a relatively low poverty rate of 8.9%, factors that often correlate with strong family support for education. The school's academic standing suggests consistent performance, though specific test score data would provide additional insight into student achievement levels. With nearly four dozen full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, James River Elementary maintains smaller class sizes that can benefit individualized attention and student engagement.
Located on Pocahontas Trail, James River Elementary sits in a rural setting near the historic town of Williamsburg, offering students a peaceful learning environment while remaining connected to the rich educational and cultural resources of this storied Virginia community.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at James River Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, James River 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 metricsView breakdown
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James River Elementary — Students at James River Elementary score 61% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 76%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.9%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.6/10.
How James River Elementary Compares
See how James River Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 71% (2019) to 66% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 61% (2019) to 56% (2025).
Location
8901 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James River Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. George J. McIntosh Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Newport News), with a very similar rating. Another option is Stoney Run Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Newport News), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Yorktown Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Yorktown), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Williamsburg, see our Williamsburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NNBHC-THE ACADEMY AT LEE HALL Newport News | 1.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Katherine Johnson Elementary Newport News | 2.9 mi | 4.6 |
| General Stanford Elementary Ft. Eustis | 4.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Denbigh Early Childhood Center Newport News | 4.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle Newport News | 4.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Magruder Elementary Williamsburg | 5.1 mi | 5.9 |
| David A. Dutrow Elementary Newport News | 5.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Queens Lake Middle Williamsburg | 6.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Mary Passage Middle Newport News | 5.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Oliver C. Greenwood Elementary Newport News | 5.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Knollwood Meadows Elementary Newport News | 6.4 mi | 3.9 |
| Woodside High Newport News | 5.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Yorktown Middle Yorktown | 5.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Stoney Run Elementary Newport News | 6.5 mi | 6.6 |
| George J. McIntosh Elementary Newport News | 6.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Richneck Elementary Newport News | 6.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Denbigh High Newport News | 6.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Matthew Whaley Elementary Williamsburg | 6.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Yorktown Elementary Yorktown | 6.2 mi | 6.6 |
| GRACE EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Yorktownn | 6.3 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 23185 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$103,507
Median Home Value
$413,500
Median Rent
$1,425/mo
Population
54,411
College Educated
52%
Homeownership
73.3%
Avg Commute
23.6 min
Poverty Rate
7.7%
Median Age
39.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding James River Elementary has a median household income of $103,507. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $413,500, with a median rent of $1,425/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Abingdon Elementary Hayes, VA | 6.5 |
| Baldwin Elementary Manassas, VA | 6.5 |
| D.J. Montague Elementary Williamsburg, VA | 6.5 |
| Lowes Island Elementary Sterling, VA | 6.5 |
| Mechanicsville Elementary Mechanicsville, VA | 6.5 |
| Paul Burbank Elementary Hampton, VA | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James River Elementary
What grades does James River Elementary serve?
James River Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend James River Elementary?
James River Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 445 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James River Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at James River Elementary is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James River Elementary rank in VA?
James River Elementary is ranked #907 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is James River Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
James River Elementary has a composite rating of 6.5 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 James River Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James River Elementary has 61.5% math proficiency and 55.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James River Elementary a charter school?
No, James River Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James River Elementary a Title I school?
No, James River Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James River Elementary?
64.9% of students at James River 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,410/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Williamsburg). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 445
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- James City County
- Phone
- (757) 887-1768
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,402
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,756
- District Rank
- #9 of 16
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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