Needs Improvement
#1698 of 1,851 schools in VA
Keister Elementary
Elementary School · Harrisonburg City Public Schools
100 Maryland Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia schools
#1,698 of 1,851
In Harrisonburg
#8 of 12
public schools
In district
#6 of 9
Harrisonburg City Public Schools
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Keister Elementary
Elementary School in Harrisonburg · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Thomas Harrison Middle
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Waterman Elementary
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Keister Elementary
Keister Elementary is a public elementary school in Harrisonburg, VA, part of Harrisonburg City Public Schools. Keister Elementary serves approximately 496 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Keister Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,698 of 1,851 schools in VA.
Structured state assessment records for Keister Elementary show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 3.3
- VA avg 6.2
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Keister Elementary — Students at Keister Elementary score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.6%
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: 1.6/10.
How Keister Elementary Compares
See how Keister 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
100 Maryland Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Keister Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. John W. Wayland Elementary (rated 5.5/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Bridgewater), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bluestone Elementary (rated 3.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Spotswood Elementary (rated 3.7/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Harrisonburg, see our Harrisonburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Harrison Middle Harrisonburg | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Waterman Elementary Harrisonburg | 1.3 mi | 2.7 |
| Spotswood Elementary Harrisonburg | 1.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Bluestone Elementary Harrisonburg | 1.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Stone Spring Elementary Harrisonburg | 1.6 mi | 2.7 |
| Harrisonburg High Harrisonburg | 1.5 mi | 5.5 |
| BEREA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Harrisonburg | 1.5 mi | 4.1 |
| EASTERN MENNONITE SCHOOL Harrisonburg | 2.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Mountain View Elementary Harrisonburg | 2.1 mi | 3.6 |
| Pleasant Valley Elementary Harrisonburg | 2.7 mi | 3.5 |
| MINNICK SCHOOL-HARRISONBURG Harrisonburg | 2.9 mi | — |
| Skyline Middle Harrisonburg | 2.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Smithland Elementary Harrisonburg | 2.6 mi | 3.4 |
| OAK LANE SCHOOL Harrisonburg | 3.6 mi | — |
| Wilbur S. Pence Middle Dayton | 3.5 mi | 5.0 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rockingham | 4.2 mi | 6.2 |
| HICKORY HOLLOW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dayton | 4.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Turner Ashby High Bridgewater | 4.9 mi | 6.8 |
| REDEEMER CLASSICAL SCHOOL Keezletown | 4.7 mi | 6.3 |
| John W. Wayland Elementary Bridgewater | 5.0 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 22801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,779
Median Home Value
$340,600
Median Rent
$1,235/mo
Population
39,870
College Educated
42.5%
Homeownership
45%
Avg Commute
17.7 min
Poverty Rate
25%
Median Age
27.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Brighton Elementary Portsmouth, VA | 3.5 |
| Carver Elementary Newport News, VA | 3.5 |
| Clark Elementary Charlottesville, VA | 3.5 |
| Henry Marsh III Elementary Richmond, VA | 3.5 |
| Katherine Johnson Elementary Newport News, VA | 3.5 |
| Richard C. Haydon Elementary Manassas, VA | 3.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Keister Elementary
What grades does Keister Elementary serve?
Keister Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Keister Elementary?
Keister Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 496 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Keister Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Keister Elementary is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Keister Elementary rank in VA?
Keister Elementary ranks #1,698 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is Keister Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Keister Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 Keister Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Keister Elementary has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Keister Elementary a charter school?
No, Keister Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Keister Elementary a Title I school?
No, Keister Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Keister Elementary?
80.6% of students at Keister 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 496
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Harrisonburg city
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 13.9%
- Phone
- (540) 434-6585
Resources & Links
District
Harrisonburg City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 6,786
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,787
- District Rank
- #6 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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