Needs Improvement
#1749 of 1,850 schools in VA
John M. Gandy Elementary
Elementary School · Hanover County Public Schools
201 Archie Cannon Drive, Ashland, VA 23005
Enrollment
307
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
3.3
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
307
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
3.3
Grades
3rd – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ashland
#5 of 5
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#1,054 of 1,147
In district
#23 of 23
Hanover County Public Schools
School environment
7.4 / 10
Strong
About John M. Gandy Elementary
John M. Gandy Elementary serves 307 students in grades 3-5 in Ashland, Virginia, within Hanover County's school system. This regular public elementary school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1 with 26 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom.
The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, receiving a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #140 out of 1,856 schools statewide, placing it in the 92nd percentile among Virginia elementary schools. This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence for its upper elementary students. John M.
Gandy Elementary draws families from a well-established community where the median household income reaches $86,136 and 40% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood's median home value of $359,500 reflects the area's desirability, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 10%. Located on Archie Cannon Drive, the school sits in a large suburban setting that provides families with the benefits of suburban living while maintaining access to educational resources and community amenities that support student learning and family engagement.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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John M. Gandy Elementary — Students at John M. Gandy Elementary score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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: 1.4/10.
How John M. Gandy Elementary Compares
See how John M. Gandy Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 85% (2019) to 63% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 60% (2021).
Location
201 Archie Cannon Drive, Ashland, VA 23005
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering John M. Gandy Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Elmont Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pearson's Corner Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Mechanicsville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Greenwood Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Glen Allen), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ashland, see our Ashland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Henry Clay Elementary Ashland | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| HANOVER ACADEMY Ashland | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Liberty Middle Ashland | 3.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Patrick Henry High Ashland | 3.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Elmont Elementary Ashland | 4.2 mi | 7.3 |
| PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF ATLEE COMMONS Ashland | 5.4 mi | — |
| THE GODDARD SCHOOL - ASHLAND Ashland | 5.6 mi | — |
| Greenwood Elementary Glen Allen | 6.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Glen Allen Elementary Glen Allen | 6.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Longdale Elementary Glen Allen | 8.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Kersey Creek Elementary Mechanicsville | 7.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Cool Spring Elementary Mechanicsville | 7.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Glen Allen High Glen Allen | 7.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Hanover High Mechanicsville | 7.4 mi | 8.7 |
| Chickahominy Middle Mechanicsville | 7.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Atlee High Mechanicsville | 8.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Oak Knoll Middle Mechanicsville | 7.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Echo Lake Elementary Glen Allen | 8.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Pearson's Corner Elementary Mechanicsville | 7.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Brookland Middle Richmond | 8.9 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 23005 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,049
Median Home Value
$376,400
Median Rent
$1,236/mo
Population
19,454
College Educated
40.9%
Homeownership
73.1%
Avg Commute
26.3 min
Poverty Rate
9.7%
Median Age
37.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding John M. Gandy Elementary has a median household income of $90,049. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $376,400, with a median rent of $1,236/month. The local poverty rate of 9.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Amelon Elementary Madison Heights, VA | 3.3 |
| Sandston Elementary Sandston, VA | 3.3 |
| Eastern Montgomery Elementary Elliston, VA | 3.2 |
| Linkhorne Elementary Lynchburg, VA | 3.2 |
| Pleasant Valley Elementary Harrisonburg, VA | 3.2 |
| Virginia Avenue Charlotte Dehart Elementary Winchester, VA | 3.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about John M. Gandy Elementary
What grades does John M. Gandy Elementary serve?
John M. Gandy Elementary serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.
How many students attend John M. Gandy Elementary?
John M. Gandy Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 307 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at John M. Gandy Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at John M. Gandy Elementary is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does John M. Gandy Elementary rank in VA?
John M. Gandy Elementary is ranked #1749 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is John M. Gandy Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
John M. Gandy Elementary has a composite rating of 3.3 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 John M. Gandy Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, John M. Gandy Elementary has 74.0% math proficiency and 64.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is John M. Gandy Elementary a charter school?
No, John M. Gandy Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is John M. Gandy Elementary a Title I school?
No, John M. Gandy Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John M. Gandy Elementary?
83.4% of students at John M. Gandy 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,708/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ashland). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 5th
- Enrollment
- 307
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 83.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Hanover County
- Phone
- (804) 365-4640
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hanover County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 16,820
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,035
- District Rank
- #23 of 23
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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