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Very Good

#524 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 28% in state

Keister Elementary

Elementary School · Harrisonburg City Public Schools

100 Maryland Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22801

Enrollment

496

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Harrisonburg

#1 of 12

public schools

Virginia elementary schools

#289 of 1,147

In district

#1 of 9

Harrisonburg City Public Schools

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Keister Elementary

Keister Elementary in Harrisonburg, Virginia is a regular public school serving preschool through fifth grade students. With an enrollment of 496 and a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child’s learning needs. The dedicated staff includes 33 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to ensure every student receives quality education.

According to MySchoolScout ratings, Keister Elementary scores a 5.2 out of 10 overall and ranks at 43rd percentile among Virginia schools. In terms of academic performance, the school shows that 56% of students are proficient or above in both ELA/Reading and Math across all grades. While there is room for improvement in test scores, Keister Elementary focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment where every child can grow and develop academically.

The setting in Harrisonburg’s small city community offers a close-knit atmosphere that encourages parental involvement and strong relationships between teachers and families. Keister Elementary sits at 100 Maryland Avenue, providing a welcoming space for young learners to thrive within their neighborhood.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Keister 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 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60%
Math vs. State Avg-6.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.7 pts
Overall Proficiency64%
Expected (poverty-adj.)72%
vs. Expected-8.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,710

Keister Elementary — Students at Keister Elementary score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

80.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 55.7%
School
State
73.5%
ELA Proficiency 55.5%
School
State
72.2%

Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
66.3%
ELA
59.8%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Keister Elementary Compares

See how Keister Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
72th percentile in VA
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
5.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
81%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

100 Maryland Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22801

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Keister Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Spotswood Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Bluestone Elementary (rated 4.3/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Mountain View Elementary (rated 4.1/10, 2.1 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 6.0
Waterman Elementary Harrisonburg 1.3 mi 2.6
Spotswood Elementary Harrisonburg 1.3 mi 6.9
Bluestone Elementary Harrisonburg 1.3 mi 4.3
Stone Spring Elementary Harrisonburg 1.6 mi 2.6
Harrisonburg High Harrisonburg 1.5 mi 5.6
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 4.1
Pleasant Valley Elementary Harrisonburg 2.7 mi 3.2
MINNICK SCHOOL-HARRISONBURG Harrisonburg 2.9 mi
Skyline Middle Harrisonburg 2.5 mi 5.9
Smithland Elementary Harrisonburg 2.6 mi 4.0
OAK LANE SCHOOL Harrisonburg 3.6 mi
Wilbur S. Pence Middle Dayton 3.5 mi 6.2
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 4.1

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Keister Elementary has a median household income of $70,779. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $340,600, with a median rent of $1,235/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Alberta Smith Elementary Midlothian, VA 7.3
Arthur R. Ware Elementary Staunton, VA 7.3
Botetourt Elementary Gloucester, VA 7.3
Elmont Elementary Ashland, VA 7.3
Fort Hunt Elementary Alexandria, VA 7.3
Hardy Elementary Smithfield, VA 7.3

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 is ranked #524 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Keister Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Keister Elementary has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Keister Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Keister Elementary has 55.7% math proficiency and 55.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
44 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
43 Some Transit
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,966/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Harrisonburg). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Harrisonburg City Public Schools
District Enrollment
6,786
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,787
District Rank
#1 of 9

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 methodology

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