Skip to main content

Average

#1086 of 1,851 schools in VA

Potowmack Elementary

Elementary School · Loudoun County Public Schools

46465 Esterbrook Pkwy, Sterling, VA 20165

Enrollment

582

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,086 of 1,851

In Sterling

#11 of 19

public schools

In district

#83 of 96

Loudoun County Public Schools

School environment

9.7 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Potowmack Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Potowmack Elementary

5.9/10

Elementary School in Sterling · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Horizon Elementary

7.2/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Sugarland Elementary

6.4/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Potowmack Elementary

Potowmack Elementary is a public elementary school in Sterling, VA, part of Loudoun County Public Schools. Potowmack Elementary serves approximately 582 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Potowmack Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,086 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Potowmack Elementary show 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.5 pts below district
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • District avg 7.4
  • VA avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.29 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency73% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency62% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-0.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.7 pts
Overall Proficiency68% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)68% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-0.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
Resources & Environment9.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,934
Chronic Absenteeism15.6%

Potowmack Elementary — Students at Potowmack Elementary score 68% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 73.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.5% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 72.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.2% (2025 SOL)

Based on 33 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
86%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
88%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
74%
ELA
89%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
75%
2013
Math
73%
ELA
74%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
75%
2015
Math
72%
ELA
80%
2016
Math
74%
ELA
78%
2017
ELA
79%
2018
Math
80%
ELA
68%
2019
Math
80%
ELA
68%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
74.3%
ELA
62.3%

* 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: 4.6/10.

How Potowmack Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
41th percentile in VA
Academic
5.5/10
Average
Growth
4.6/10
Below Average
Environment
9.7/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

46465 Esterbrook Pkwy, Sterling, VA 20165

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Potowmack Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Algonkian Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is THE NEWTON SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Horizon Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sterling, see our Sterling schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Horizon Elementary Sterling 0.6 mi 7.2
Sugarland Elementary Sterling 0.7 mi 6.4
Potomac Falls High Potomac Falls 0.9 mi 7.9
River Bend Middle Sterling 0.9 mi 6.2
KARTER SCHOOL OF CASCADES Sterling 1.0 mi
OUR LADY OF HOPE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Potomac Falls 1.0 mi 6.0
Countryside Elementary Sterling 1.1 mi 6.1
Algonkian Elementary Sterling 1.4 mi 9.3
THE NEWTON SCHOOL Sterling 1.5 mi 8.3
Meadowland Elementary Sterling 1.3 mi 5.5
Seneca Ridge Middle Sterling 1.4 mi 5.6
W.O. Robey High Sterling 1.5 mi 6.6
Dominion High Sterling 1.5 mi 7.8
Park View High Sterling 1.7 mi 6.8
Rolling Ridge Elementary Sterling 1.8 mi 4.2
Sterling Elementary Sterling 2.2 mi 5.6
Sterling Middle Sterling 2.8 mi 3.9
Sully Elementary Sterling 3.0 mi 3.2
Dranesville Elementary Herndon 3.0 mi 5.5
Guilford Elementary Sterling 2.9 mi 3.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20165 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$185,594

Median Home Value

$661,300

Median Rent

$2,480/mo

Population

34,210

College Educated

67.4%

Homeownership

77.6%

Avg Commute

28.9 min

Poverty Rate

2.8%

Median Age

38.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Armel Elementary Winchester, VA 5.9
Bren Mar Park Elementary Alexandria, VA 5.9
Colonial Beach Elementary Colonial Beach, VA 5.9
Dinwiddie Elementary Dinwiddie, VA 5.9
Grafton Village Elementary Falmouth, VA 5.9
Hilton Elementary Newport News, VA 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Potowmack Elementary

What grades does Potowmack Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Potowmack Elementary?

Potowmack Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 582 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Potowmack Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Potowmack Elementary is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Potowmack Elementary rank in VA?

Potowmack Elementary ranks #1,086 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Potowmack Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Potowmack Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Potowmack Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Potowmack Elementary has 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Potowmack Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Potowmack Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

83.5% of students at Potowmack 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

Walk Score
55 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
582
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
47
Free/Reduced Lunch
83.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Loudoun County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.6%

District

Loudoun County Public Schools
District Enrollment
81,636
Schools in District
100
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,934
District Rank
#83 of 96

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related 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.