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
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Keister Elementary — Students at Keister Elementary score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).
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 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.9/10.
How Keister Elementary Compares
See how Keister Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 67% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 60% (2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (540) 434-6585
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Harrisonburg City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 6,786
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,787
- District Rank
- #1 of 9
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.