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Needs Improvement

#1819 of 1,850 schools in VA

Parkside Elementary

Elementary School · Spotsylvania County Public Schools

5620 Smith Station Rd., Fredericksburg, VA 22407

Enrollment

924

Student-Teacher

21.5:1

Score

2.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fredericksburg

#26 of 26

public schools

Virginia elementary schools

#1,118 of 1,147

In district

#28 of 29

Spotsylvania County Public Schools

About Parkside Elementary

Parkside Elementary serves 924 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Spotsylvania County, offering education in a rural setting near Fredericksburg, Virginia. With 43 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.5:1. The school has room for academic growth, currently holding a MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranking in the 1st percentile among Virginia elementary schools.

While academic performance data shows challenges, the school serves a community with strong economic foundations that could support student development initiatives. Parkside Elementary draws from the 22407 ZIP code area, where families enjoy a median household income of $102,999 and median home values of $351,200. The surrounding community of over 62,000 residents includes 34% of adults with bachelor's degrees or higher, and the area maintains a low poverty rate of 6.6%.

This economically stable neighborhood provides a supportive backdrop for the school's educational mission. The school's rural location near the historic town of Fredericksburg offers students a blend of countryside tranquility and proximity to cultural and historical resources, creating a unique learning environment where students can benefit from both natural surroundings and nearby urban amenities.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Parkside Elementary is 21.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Parkside 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 Progress2.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.34 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64%
Math vs. State Avg-7.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.7 pts
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)79%
vs. Expected-14.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.3Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,318

Parkside Elementary — Students at Parkside Elementary score 65% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 79%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.5%
School
State
73.5%
ELA Proficiency 67.8%
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
83%
ELA
78%
2021*
Math
58%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
66%
ELA
64.3%

* 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: 2.9/10.

How Parkside Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
2.8/10
2th percentile in VA
Academic
3.7/10
3.7/10
Growth
2.9/10
Below average
Environment
1.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers

Location

5620 Smith Station Rd., Fredericksburg, VA 22407

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Parkside Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Spotswood Elementary (rated 5.9/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Spotsylvania), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cedar Forest Elementary (rated 4.9/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Riverview Elementary (rated 4.7/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Spotsylvania), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fredericksburg, see our Fredericksburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Massaponax High Fredericksburg 1.6 mi 6.8
Courtland Elementary Spotsylvania 2.4 mi 3.9
Spotswood Elementary Spotsylvania 2.5 mi 5.9
Courtland High Spotsylvania 2.5 mi 7.7
Courthouse Road Elementary Spotsylvania 2.7 mi 3.7
Riverview Elementary Spotsylvania 3.2 mi 4.7
Spotsylvania Elementary Spotsylvania 3.2 mi 2.0
Thornburg Middle Spotsylvania 3.4 mi 6.0
Spotsylvania Middle Spotsylvania 3.0 mi 5.9
Smith Station Elementary Fredericksburg 4.4 mi 3.0
Battlefield Middle Fredericksburg 4.4 mi 7.1
Battlefield Elementary Fredericksburg 4.5 mi 3.1
FREDERICKSBURG ACADEMY Fredericksburg 4.4 mi 7.1
Cedar Forest Elementary Fredericksburg 3.9 mi 4.9
Freedom Middle Fredericksburg 4.6 mi 6.2
Lee Hill Elementary Fredericksburg 4.3 mi 3.8
Chancellor High Fredericksburg 5.2 mi 6.2
Harrison Road Elementary Fredericksburg 5.3 mi 4.2
Chancellor Middle Fredericksburg 5.3 mi 5.9
Salem Elementary Fredericksburg 5.9 mi 3.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 22407 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$105,218

Median Home Value

$376,200

Median Rent

$1,758/mo

Population

64,273

College Educated

33.1%

Homeownership

76.1%

Avg Commute

35.8 min

Poverty Rate

6.7%

Median Age

38.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Parkside Elementary has a median household income of $105,218. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $376,200, with a median rent of $1,758/month. The local poverty rate of 6.7% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
G.H. Reid Elementary Richmond, VA 2.8
Round Hill Elementary Roanoke, VA 2.8
Skipwith Elementary Richmond, VA 2.7
Amelia County Elementary Amelia Court House, VA 2.9
Honey Run Elementary Quicksburg, VA 2.9
J.A. Chalkley Elementary Chesterfield, VA 2.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Parkside Elementary

What grades does Parkside Elementary serve?

Parkside Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Parkside Elementary?

Parkside Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 924 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Parkside Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Parkside Elementary is 21.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Parkside Elementary rank in VA?

Parkside Elementary is ranked #1819 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Parkside Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Parkside Elementary has a composite rating of 2.8 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 Parkside Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Parkside Elementary has 67.5% math proficiency and 67.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Parkside Elementary a charter school?

No, Parkside Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Parkside Elementary a Title I school?

No, Parkside Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Parkside Elementary?

50.6% of students at Parkside 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

City Safety
High (3,681/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
924
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Spotsylvania County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Spotsylvania County Public Schools
District Enrollment
24,012
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,858
District Rank
#28 of 29

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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