Below Average
#1514 of 1,850 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
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
671
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newport News
#30 of 39
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#849 of 1,147
In district
#31 of 40
Newport News City Public Schools
About Joseph H. Saunders Elementary
Joseph H. Saunders Elementary is a regular public school in Newport News, Virginia, serving preschool through fifth grade students. With an enrollment of 671 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1, the school benefits from relatively small class sizes.
Located on Harpersville Road, it offers personalized attention with 38 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to its diverse community. Academically, Joseph H. Saunders Elementary has room for growth, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1687 out of 1856 schools in Virginia (9th percentile).
The school’s ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 44%, while Math proficiency stands at 45% across all grades. These scores suggest that the school focuses on student development and continuous improvement. Joseph H.
Saunders Elementary is situated in a mid-size city, providing students with access to urban resources and community support. The neighborhood around the school offers a vibrant setting where families are active participants in their children's education.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Joseph H. Saunders 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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: 68%).
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 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: 6.9/10.
How Joseph H. Saunders Elementary Compares
See how Joseph H. Saunders Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 49% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 45% (2025).
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 7.9/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Hampton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Deer Park Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bethel Manor Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Langley A F B), 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 | 6.3 |
| 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 | 4.6 |
| 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 | 6.4 |
| HAMPTON ROADS ACADEMY Newport News | 2.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Tabb Elementary Yorktown | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Tabb Middle Yorktown | 2.6 mi | 8.0 |
| George P. Phenix Elementary Hampton | 2.5 mi | 7.9 |
| 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 | 3.9 |
| Warwick High Newport News | 2.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Bethel High Hampton | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Tabb High Yorktown | 2.8 mi | 8.5 |
| FIRST FRIENDS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hampton | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Homer L. Hines Middle Newport News | 2.9 mi | 7.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Joseph H. Saunders Elementary has a median household income of $71,345. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $235,600, with a median rent of $1,231/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Buckland Mills Elementary Gainesville, VA | 4.7 |
| Chesterfield Virtual School Chesterfield, VA | 4.7 |
| Cool Spring Primary King William, VA | 4.7 |
| Great Bridge Primary Chesapeake, VA | 4.7 |
| Lane Elementary Alexandria, VA | 4.7 |
| Riverview Elementary Spotsylvania, VA | 4.7 |
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 is ranked #1514 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Joseph H. Saunders Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Joseph H. Saunders Elementary has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Joseph H. Saunders Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Joseph H. Saunders Elementary has 44.8% math proficiency and 43.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (3,173/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newport News). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (757) 591-4781
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newport News City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 26,183
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,082
- District Rank
- #31 of 40
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.