Needs Improvement
#1827 of 1,851 schools in VA
Joseph H. Saunders Elementary
Elementary School · Newport News City Public Schools
853 Harpersville Rd, Newport News, VA 23601
Enrollment
671
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
2.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
671
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
2.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia schools
#1,827 of 1,851
In Newport News
#38 of 39
public schools
In district
#39 of 40
Newport News City Public Schools
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Joseph H. Saunders Elementary
Elementary School in Newport News · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Watkins Early Childhood Center
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Peninsula Catholic High School
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Joseph H. Saunders Elementary
Joseph H. Saunders Elementary is a public elementary school in Newport News, VA, part of Newport News City Public Schools. Joseph H.
Saunders Elementary serves approximately 671 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Joseph H. Saunders Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,827 of 1,851 schools in VA.
Structured state assessment records for Joseph H. Saunders Elementary show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 2.2 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.3
- VA avg 6.2
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Joseph H. Saunders Elementary — Students at Joseph H. Saunders Elementary score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.2%
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: 2.2/10.
How Joseph H. Saunders Elementary Compares
See how Joseph H. Saunders 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
853 Harpersville Rd, Newport News, VA 23601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Joseph H. Saunders Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. George P. Phenix Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Hampton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bethel Manor Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Langley A F B), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tabb Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Yorktown), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newport News, see our Newport News schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Watkins Early Childhood Center Newport News | 0.8 mi | 4.2 |
| PENINSULA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Newport News | 1.2 mi | 7.9 |
| SUMMIT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Newport News | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| EAST END ACADEMY Newport News | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Coventry Elementary Yorktown | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Deer Park Elementary Newport News | 1.5 mi | 7.4 |
| HAMPTON ROADS INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Newport News | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Bethel Manor Elementary Langley A F B | 1.8 mi | 8.1 |
| HAMPTON ROADS ACADEMY Newport News | 2.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Tabb Elementary Yorktown | 2.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Tabb Middle Yorktown | 2.6 mi | 9.1 |
| George P. Phenix Elementary Hampton | 2.5 mi | 8.7 |
| OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL Newport News | 2.6 mi | 6.2 |
| SUMMIT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Yorktown | 2.6 mi | 6.2 |
| L.F. Palmer Elementary Newport News | 2.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Warwick High Newport News | 2.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Bethel High Hampton | 2.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Tabb High Yorktown | 2.8 mi | 8.7 |
| FIRST FRIENDS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hampton | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Homer L. Hines Middle Newport News | 2.9 mi | 3.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 23601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,345
Median Home Value
$235,600
Median Rent
$1,231/mo
Population
26,557
College Educated
27.6%
Homeownership
56.2%
Avg Commute
21.6 min
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Median Age
37.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Douglass Park Elementary Portsmouth, VA | 2.2 |
| G.H. Reid Elementary Richmond, VA | 2.2 |
| George F. Baker Elementary Richmond, VA | 2.3 |
| Lakemont Elementary Petersburg, VA | 2.3 |
| Riverside Elementary Newport News, VA | 2.3 |
| Bellwood Elementary North Chesterfield, VA | 2.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Joseph H. Saunders Elementary
What grades does Joseph H. Saunders Elementary serve?
Joseph H. Saunders Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Joseph H. Saunders Elementary?
Joseph H. Saunders Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 671 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Joseph H. Saunders Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Joseph H. Saunders Elementary is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Joseph H. Saunders Elementary rank in VA?
Joseph H. Saunders Elementary ranks #1,827 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is Joseph H. Saunders Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Joseph H. Saunders Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.2 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 Joseph H. Saunders Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Joseph H. Saunders Elementary has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Joseph H. Saunders Elementary a charter school?
No, Joseph H. Saunders Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Joseph H. Saunders Elementary a Title I school?
No, Joseph H. Saunders Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Joseph H. Saunders Elementary?
97.2% of students at Joseph H. Saunders 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 671
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Newport News city
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 27.3%
- Phone
- (757) 591-4781
Resources & Links
District
Newport News City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 26,183
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,082
- District Rank
- #39 of 40
Other Schools in This District
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