Below Average
#1573 of 1,850 schools in VA
Meherrin Elementary
Elementary School · Southampton County Public Schools
28600 Grays Shop Rd., Newsoms, VA 23874
Enrollment
235
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
235
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia elementary schools
#893 of 1,147
In district
#6 of 6
Southampton County Public Schools
School environment
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Meherrin Elementary
Meherrin Elementary serves 235 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in the small rural community of Newsoms, Virginia. Located on Grays Shop Road in Southampton County, this public elementary school maintains an impressive 10.2:1 student-teacher ratio with 23 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school has earned a strong 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #285 out of 1,856 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 85th percentile among Virginia schools.
This solid performance reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence in a close-knit rural setting. Meherrin Elementary draws students from a community where the median household income is $54,356 and the median home value is $123,100. The surrounding area has a population of 720 residents, with 18% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 11.7%.
These demographics paint a picture of a working-class rural community that values education and community connections. The school's rural location in Southampton County provides students with a quiet, focused learning environment away from urban distractions, fostering strong relationships between students, teachers, and families in this tight-knit Virginia community.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Meherrin Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Meherrin Elementary — Students at Meherrin Elementary score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66%
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
↓ 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: 3.3/10.
How Meherrin Elementary Compares
See how Meherrin Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 64% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 59% (2025).
Location
28600 Grays Shop Rd., Newsoms, VA 23874
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Meherrin Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Carrsville Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 17.6 miles away, in nearby Carrsville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Capron Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Capron), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Riverview Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Murfreesboro), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newsoms, see our Newsoms schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Southampton High Courtland | 5.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Southampton Middle Courtland | 5.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Capron Elementary Capron | 6.0 mi | 8.0 |
| SOUTHAMPTON ACADEMY Courtland | 6.5 mi | 5.1 |
| SEVERN MENNONITE SCHOOL Margarettsville | 8.4 mi | — |
| Riverdale Elementary Courtland | 9.5 mi | 6.4 |
| ROCK CHURCH SCHOOL Franklin | 10.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Franklin High Franklin | 11.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Riverview Elementary Murfreesboro | 13.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Hertford County Middle Murfreesboro | 14.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Joseph P. King Jr. Middle Franklin | 11.8 mi | 3.2 |
| S.P. Morton Elementary Franklin | 11.7 mi | 2.9 |
| Conway Middle Conway | 14.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Nottoway Elementary Sedley | 16.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Sussex Central Elementary Stony Creek | 20.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Carrsville Elementary Carrsville | 17.6 mi | 8.7 |
| CS Brown High - STEM Program Winton | 20.1 mi | 8.9 |
| Sussex Central High Stony Creek | 21.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Sussex Central Middle Stony Creek | 21.1 mi | 7.2 |
| HERTFORD COUNTY MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE HOME Winton | 20.4 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 23874 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,891
Median Home Value
$138,300
Median Rent
$889/mo
Population
714
College Educated
17.2%
Homeownership
77.9%
Poverty Rate
11.8%
Median Age
51.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Meherrin Elementary has a median household income of $56,891. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $138,300, with a median rent of $889/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Green Run Elementary Virginia Beach, VA | 4.4 |
| Chesterfield Elementary Norfolk, VA | 4.5 |
| Garden City Elementary Roanoke, VA | 4.5 |
| John Marshall Early Childhood Center Newport News, VA | 4.5 |
| THE GODDARD SCHOOL - LYNNHAVEN VIRGINIA Virginia Beach, VA | 4.5 |
| Virginia Heights Elementary Roanoke, VA | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Meherrin Elementary
What grades does Meherrin Elementary serve?
Meherrin Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Meherrin Elementary?
Meherrin Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 235 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Meherrin Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Meherrin Elementary is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Meherrin Elementary rank in VA?
Meherrin Elementary is ranked #1573 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Meherrin Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Meherrin Elementary has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Meherrin Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Meherrin Elementary has 66.2% math proficiency and 65.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Meherrin Elementary a charter school?
No, Meherrin Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Meherrin Elementary a Title I school?
No, Meherrin Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Meherrin Elementary?
66.0% of students at Meherrin 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,040/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 235
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Southampton County
- Phone
- (757) 654-6461
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Southampton County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,523
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,083
- District Rank
- #6 of 6
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
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