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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.3Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64%
Reading/ELA Proficiency59%
Math vs. State Avg-9.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.7 pts
Overall Proficiency62%
Expected (poverty-adj.)75%
vs. Expected-13.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,570

Meherrin Elementary — Students at Meherrin Elementary score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 66.2%
School
State
73.5%
ELA Proficiency 65.0%
School
State
72.2%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
82%
2025
Math
65.8%
ELA
59%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.4/10
15th percentile in VA
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
3.3/10
Below average
Environment
8.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Southampton County Public Schools
District Enrollment
2,523
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,083
District Rank
#6 of 6

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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