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Average

#1372 of 1,850 schools in VA

Plains Elementary

Elementary School · Rockingham County Public Schools

225 American Legion Dr, Timberville, VA 22853

Enrollment

466

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia elementary schools

#750 of 1,147

In district

#11 of 23

Rockingham County Public Schools

About Plains Elementary

Plains Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Timberville, Virginia, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 466 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child’s learning needs. Located on American Legion Drive, Plains Elementary is situated in a town at the edge of an urban area, providing a blend of rural charm and access to city resources.

The academic performance of Plains Elementary places it around the 17th percentile among Virginia schools, with room for improvement as reflected by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.5 out of 10. In reading and math proficiency tests, about half of the students meet or exceed state standards, indicating areas where further support could enhance educational outcomes. Plains Elementary is a community-focused school in a town that values education and supports its young learners as they grow academically and socially.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Plains 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 Progress6.7Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics3.0Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60%
Reading/ELA Proficiency56%
Math vs. State Avg-13.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.7 pts
Overall Proficiency58%
Expected (poverty-adj.)75%
vs. Expected-16.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,933

Plains Elementary — Students at Plains Elementary score 58% 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

69.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 55.7%
School
State
73.5%
ELA Proficiency 55.0%
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
67%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
60%
ELA
56.5%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Plains Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
26th percentile in VA
Academic
3.0/10
3.0/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
5.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

Location

225 American Legion Dr, Timberville, VA 22853

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Plains Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. John C. Myers Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Broadway), which scores notably higher. Another option is Spotswood Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Harrisonburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SHENANDOAH VALLEY ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby New Market), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Timberville, see our Timberville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Broadway High Broadway 1.9 mi 6.9
J. Frank Hillyard Middle Broadway 1.7 mi 6.3
John C. Myers Elementary Broadway 2.0 mi 7.9
Lacey Spring Elementary Harrisonburg 5.9 mi 3.8
SHENANDOAH VALLEY ACADEMY New Market 4.8 mi 6.6
SHENANDOAH VALLEY ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL New Market 5.0 mi 5.5
Linville-Edom Elementary Linville 8.4 mi 3.3
Fulks Run Elementary Fulks Run 7.2 mi 4.9
Honey Run Elementary Quicksburg 7.9 mi 2.9
Mountain View High Quicksburg 7.9 mi 4.1
North Fork Middle Quicksburg 8.1 mi 9.4
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rockingham 10.9 mi 6.2
MINNICK SCHOOL-HARRISONBURG Harrisonburg 11.6 mi
Page County High Shenandoah 10.1 mi 8.0
Page County Middle Shenandoah 10.1 mi 8.7
EASTERN MENNONITE SCHOOL Harrisonburg 12.2 mi 5.9
Smithland Elementary Harrisonburg 13.4 mi 4.0
Skyline Middle Harrisonburg 13.4 mi 5.9
Waterman Elementary Harrisonburg 13.1 mi 2.6
Spotswood Elementary Harrisonburg 13.6 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 22853 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,415

Median Home Value

$207,100

Median Rent

$961/mo

Population

4,876

College Educated

13.2%

Homeownership

69.3%

Avg Commute

27.7 min

Poverty Rate

9.8%

Median Age

44.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Plains Elementary has a median household income of $61,415. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $207,100, with a median rent of $961/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Alice West Fleet Elementary Arlington, VA 5.3
Churchland Primary & Intermediate Portsmouth, VA 5.3
Colonial Beach Elementary Colonial Beach, VA 5.3
Floyd Elementary Floyd, VA 5.3
HOLY CROSS ACADEMY Fredericksburg, VA 5.3
Indian Lakes Elementary Virginia Beach, VA 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Plains Elementary

What grades does Plains Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Plains Elementary?

Plains Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 466 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Plains Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Plains 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 Plains Elementary rank in VA?

Plains Elementary is ranked #1372 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Plains Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Plains Elementary has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Plains Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Plains Elementary has 55.7% math proficiency and 55.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Plains Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Plains Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

69.1% of students at Plains 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
Average (376/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
466
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Rockingham County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Rockingham County Public Schools
District Enrollment
11,534
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,743
District Rank
#11 of 23

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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