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Needs Improvement

#1634 of 1,851 schools in VA

Robert S. Payne Elementary

Elementary School · Lynchburg City Public Schools

1201 Floyd St, Lynchburg, VA 24501

Enrollment

466

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

3.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,634 of 1,851

In Lynchburg

#21 of 21

public schools

In district

#16 of 16

Lynchburg City Public Schools

School environment

8.3 / 10

Excellent

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Robert S. Payne Elementary

3.9/10

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

Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation

5.6/10

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

Dearington Elementary/innovation

5.0/10

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

About Robert S. Payne Elementary

Robert S. Payne Elementary is a public elementary school in Lynchburg, VA, part of Lynchburg City Public Schools. Robert S.

Payne Elementary serves approximately 466 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Robert S. Payne Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,634 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Robert S. Payne Elementary show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.5 pts below district
  • This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.4
  • VA avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.7 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.1Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency44% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-29.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-31.7 pts
Overall Proficiency44% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)64% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-19.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,083
Chronic Absenteeism21.5%

Robert S. Payne Elementary — Students at Robert S. Payne Elementary score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 66.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
71.7% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 65.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.2% (2025 SOL)

Based on 34 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
89%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
88%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
65%
ELA
80%
2012
Math
75%
ELA
69%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
79%
ELA
70%
2015
Math
76%
ELA
73%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2017
ELA
76%
2018
Math
78%
ELA
75%
2019
Math
78%
ELA
75%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
60%
2025
Math
52.2%
ELA
44.3%

* 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: 3.3/10.

How Robert S. Payne Elementary Compares

See how Robert S. Payne Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
12th percentile in VA
Academic
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.5%

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

1201 Floyd St, Lynchburg, VA 24501

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Robert S. Payne Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sheffield Elementary (rated 5.9/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Madison Heights Elementary (rated 5.6/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Madison Heights), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sandusky Elementary (rated 5.3/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lynchburg, see our Lynchburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation Lynchburg 0.3 mi 5.6
Dearington Elementary/Innovation Lynchburg 0.9 mi 5.0
E.C. Glass High Lynchburg 0.9 mi 8.0
William M. Bass Elementary Lynchburg 1.1 mi 5.0
T.C. Miller Elementary School for Innovation Lynchburg 1.0 mi 4.8
NEW VISTAS SCHOOL Lynchburg 1.3 mi 5.6
Madison Heights Elementary Madison Heights 2.1 mi 5.6
SOLID ROCK BAPTIST CHURCH Madison Heights 1.9 mi
FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Madison Heights 1.9 mi
Perrymont Elementary Lynchburg 2.3 mi 4.9
Linkhorne Middle Lynchburg 2.4 mi 4.2
Linkhorne Elementary Lynchburg 2.6 mi 4.4
NEW COVENANT SCHOOLS Lynchburg 3.0 mi 5.1
Sheffield Elementary Lynchburg 3.5 mi 5.9
RIVERMONT LYNCHBURG NORTH Lynchburg 3.1 mi 6.0
Sandusky Middle Lynchburg 3.3 mi 4.1
Sandusky Elementary Lynchburg 3.4 mi 5.3
Monelison Middle Madison Heights 4.0 mi 4.6
VIRGINIA EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Lynchburg 4.0 mi 6.7
Bedford Hills Elementary Lynchburg 4.0 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$45,305

Median Home Value

$155,800

Median Rent

$936/mo

Population

26,393

College Educated

25.4%

Homeownership

45.5%

Avg Commute

18 min

Poverty Rate

20.5%

Median Age

29.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bass-Hoover Elementary Stephens City, VA 3.9
Bluestone Elementary Harrisonburg, VA 3.9
Cora Kelly School for Math Science and Technology Alexandria, VA 3.9
Crestwood Elementary Springfield, VA 3.9
Farmington Elementary Culpeper, VA 3.9
Hurt Park Elementary Roanoke, VA 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Robert S. Payne Elementary

What grades does Robert S. Payne Elementary serve?

Robert S. Payne Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Robert S. Payne Elementary?

Robert S. Payne Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 466 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Robert S. Payne Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Robert S. Payne Elementary is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Robert S. Payne Elementary rank in VA?

Robert S. Payne Elementary ranks #1,634 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Robert S. Payne Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Robert S. Payne Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 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 Robert S. Payne Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Robert S. Payne Elementary has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Robert S. Payne Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Robert S. Payne Elementary a Title I school?

No, Robert S. Payne Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Robert S. Payne Elementary?

98.5% of students at Robert S. Payne 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
64 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
43 Some Transit
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
466
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Lynchburg city
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.5%

District

Lynchburg City Public Schools
District Enrollment
7,727
Schools in District
20
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,083
District Rank
#16 of 16

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