Average
#1455 of 1,850 schools in VA
Richard T. Yates Elementary
Elementary School · Newport News City Public Schools
73 Maxwell Ln, Newport News, VA 23606
Enrollment
422
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
422
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newport News
#28 of 39
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#807 of 1,147
In district
#29 of 40
Newport News City Public Schools
About Richard T. Yates Elementary
Richard T. Yates Elementary is a public elementary school in Newport News, Virginia, catering to students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 422 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child's learning needs.
The dedicated teaching staff comprises 26 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students’ educational journey. Academically, Richard T. Yates Elementary has room for growth, as reflected in its MySchoolScout Rating of 4.2 out of 10 and a state ranking of 1356 out of 1856 schools in Virginia (placing it in the 27th percentile).
In reading and ELA, 65% of students are proficient or above, while 59% meet proficiency standards in math. The school continues to focus on student development and improvement across all subjects. Richard T.
Yates Elementary is situated within a mid-size city setting, offering its students access to urban resources and community activities. Despite the challenges highlighted by academic performance metrics, the school remains committed to fostering an inclusive and nurturing environment for its young learners.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Richard T. Yates Elementary — Students at Richard T. Yates Elementary score 63% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.6%
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: 5.6/10.
How Richard T. Yates Elementary Compares
See how Richard T. Yates Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 76% (2019) to 61% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 65% (2025).
Location
73 Maxwell Ln, Newport News, VA 23606
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Richard T. Yates Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Deer Park Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hidenwood Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, B.C. Charles Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newport News, see our Newport News schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| DENBIGH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newport News | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle Newport News | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| L.F. Palmer Elementary Newport News | 1.4 mi | 3.9 |
| HAMPTON ROADS INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Newport News | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Hidenwood Elementary Newport News | 1.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Willis A. Jenkins Elementary Newport News | 1.6 mi | 3.5 |
| HAMPTON ROADS ACADEMY Newport News | 1.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Menchville High Newport News | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
| B.C. Charles Elementary Newport News | 1.7 mi | 6.4 |
| EAST END ACADEMY Newport News | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Deer Park Elementary Newport News | 2.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Riverside Elementary Newport News | 2.4 mi | 2.9 |
| FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DENBIGH CHILD DEVT CENTER AND Newport News | 2.3 mi | — |
| Kiln Creek Elementary Newport News | 2.4 mi | 5.6 |
| T. Ryland Sanford Elementary Newport News | 2.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Warwick High Newport News | 3.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Watkins Early Childhood Center Newport News | 2.6 mi | 6.3 |
| OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL Newport News | 3.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Joseph H. Saunders Elementary Newport News | 2.7 mi | 4.7 |
| PENINSULA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Newport News | 3.0 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 23606 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,921
Median Home Value
$296,900
Median Rent
$1,327/mo
Population
29,899
College Educated
38.5%
Homeownership
47.1%
Avg Commute
19.8 min
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Median Age
32.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Richard T. Yates Elementary has a median household income of $69,921. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $296,900, with a median rent of $1,327/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Alfred S. Forrest Elementary Hampton, VA | 5.0 |
| Amherst Elementary Amherst, VA | 5.0 |
| Armstrong Elementary Hampton, VA | 5.0 |
| Arrowhead Elementary Virginia Beach, VA | 5.0 |
| Carver Elementary Newport News, VA | 5.0 |
| Central Elementary Lexington, VA | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Richard T. Yates Elementary
What grades does Richard T. Yates Elementary serve?
Richard T. Yates Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Richard T. Yates Elementary?
Richard T. Yates Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 422 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Richard T. Yates Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Richard T. Yates Elementary is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Richard T. Yates Elementary rank in VA?
Richard T. Yates Elementary is ranked #1455 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Richard T. Yates Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Richard T. Yates Elementary has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Richard T. Yates Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Richard T. Yates Elementary has 59.2% math proficiency and 64.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Richard T. Yates Elementary a charter school?
No, Richard T. Yates Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Richard T. Yates Elementary a Title I school?
No, Richard T. Yates Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Richard T. Yates Elementary?
97.6% of students at Richard T. Yates 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
- City Safety
- High (3,173/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newport News). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 422
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Newport News city
- Phone
- (757) 881-5450
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newport News City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 26,183
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,082
- District Rank
- #29 of 40
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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