Below Average
#1623 of 1,851 schools in VA
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
4.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
445
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia schools
#1,623 of 1,851
In Williamsburg
#19 of 19
public schools
In district
#16 of 16
Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools
School environment
8.4 / 10
Excellent
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James River Elementary
Elementary School in Williamsburg · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Nnbhc-the Academy at Lee Hall
1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Katherine Johnson Elementary
2.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About James River Elementary
James River Elementary is a public elementary school in Williamsburg, VA, part of Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools. James River Elementary serves approximately 445 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio. James River Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,623 of 1,851 schools in VA.
Structured state assessment records for James River Elementary show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.0 · Below Average
- District avg 6.0
- VA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
James River Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
James River Elementary — Students at James River Elementary score 61% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).
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 33 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.5/10.
How James River Elementary Compares
See how James River Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. General Stanford Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Ft. Eustis), which scores notably higher. Another option is Yorktown Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Yorktown), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Magruder Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 5.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 3.5 |
| General Stanford Elementary Ft. Eustis | 4.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Denbigh Early Childhood Center Newport News | 4.6 mi | 3.4 |
| Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle Newport News | 4.8 mi | 3.8 |
| Magruder Elementary Williamsburg | 5.1 mi | 6.6 |
| David A. Dutrow Elementary Newport News | 5.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Queens Lake Middle Williamsburg | 6.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Mary Passage Middle Newport News | 5.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Oliver C. Greenwood Elementary Newport News | 5.5 mi | 2.8 |
| Knollwood Meadows Elementary Newport News | 6.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Woodside High Newport News | 5.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Yorktown Middle Yorktown | 5.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Stoney Run Elementary Newport News | 6.5 mi | 2.9 |
| George J. McIntosh Elementary Newport News | 6.4 mi | 2.5 |
| Richneck Elementary Newport News | 6.3 mi | 3.6 |
| Denbigh High Newport News | 6.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Matthew Whaley Elementary Williamsburg | 6.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Yorktown Elementary Yorktown | 6.2 mi | 6.7 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Anthony P. Mehfoud Elementary Richmond, VA | 4.0 |
| Burnley-Moran Elementary Charlottesville, VA | 4.0 |
| Chamberlayne Elementary Richmond, VA | 4.0 |
| Elizabeth Vaughan Elementary Woodbridge, VA | 4.0 |
| Garfield Elementary Springfield, VA | 4.0 |
| Grace Miller Elementary Bealeton, VA | 4.0 |
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 ranks #1,623 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is James River Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
James River Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 James River Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James River Elementary has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 16.6%
- Phone
- (757) 887-1768
Resources & Links
District
Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,402
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,756
- District Rank
- #16 of 16
Other Schools in This District
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