Needs Improvement
#1783 of 1,850 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
3.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
466
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
3.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lynchburg
#20 of 21
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#1,083 of 1,147
In district
#15 of 16
Lynchburg City Public Schools
School environment
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Robert S. Payne Elementary
Robert S. Payne Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Lynchburg, Virginia, with an enrollment of 466 students spanning from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The student-to-teacher ratio at the school is 12.6:1, indicating a relatively low teacher-to-student ratio that can facilitate more individualized attention for each child.
With 37 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Robert S. Payne Elementary aims to provide a supportive educational environment. Academically, the school has a MySchoolScout rating of 2.7 out of 10 and is ranked as the 1726th best elementary school in Virginia based on state rankings.
The academic score stands at 1.3/10, reflecting areas where the school may need improvement. In terms of proficiency scores, 52% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 55% are proficient or above in Math. These numbers suggest that while there is room for growth in academic performance, the school is focused on supporting student development.
Robert S. Payne Elementary is situated within a small city setting, offering a tight-knit community feel with resources available to support both students and families.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Robert S. Payne Elementary — Students at Robert S. Payne Elementary score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 13 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: 1.6/10.
How Robert S. Payne Elementary Compares
See how Robert S. Payne Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 78% (2019) to 44% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 44% (2025).
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. Bedford Hills Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dearington Elementary/Innovation (rated 6.6/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, William M. Bass Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 1.1 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 | 5.4 |
| Dearington Elementary/Innovation Lynchburg | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| E.C. Glass High Lynchburg | 0.9 mi | 8.6 |
| William M. Bass Elementary Lynchburg | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| T.C. Miller Elementary School for Innovation Lynchburg | 1.0 mi | 2.8 |
| NEW VISTAS SCHOOL Lynchburg | 1.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Madison Heights Elementary Madison Heights | 2.1 mi | 4.3 |
| SOLID ROCK BAPTIST CHURCH Madison Heights | 1.9 mi | — |
| FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Madison Heights | 1.9 mi | — |
| Perrymont Elementary Lynchburg | 2.3 mi | 3.6 |
| Linkhorne Middle Lynchburg | 2.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Linkhorne Elementary Lynchburg | 2.6 mi | 3.2 |
| NEW COVENANT SCHOOLS Lynchburg | 3.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Sheffield Elementary Lynchburg | 3.5 mi | 4.8 |
| RIVERMONT LYNCHBURG NORTH Lynchburg | 3.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Sandusky Middle Lynchburg | 3.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Sandusky Elementary Lynchburg | 3.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Monelison Middle Madison Heights | 4.0 mi | 5.3 |
| VIRGINIA EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Lynchburg | 4.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Bedford Hills Elementary Lynchburg | 4.0 mi | 7.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Robert S. Payne Elementary has a median household income of $45,305. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $155,800, with a median rent of $936/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Bass-Hoover Elementary Stephens City, VA | 3.1 |
| Cashell Donahoe Elementary Sandston, VA | 3.1 |
| Highland Springs Elementary Highland Springs, VA | 3.1 |
| Salem Elementary Fredericksburg, VA | 3.1 |
| Eastern Montgomery Elementary Elliston, VA | 3.2 |
| Elephant's Fork Elementary Suffolk, VA | 3.2 |
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 is ranked #1783 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Robert S. Payne Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Robert S. Payne Elementary has a composite rating of 3.1 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 Robert S. Payne Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Robert S. Payne Elementary has 55.1% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,100/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lynchburg). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (434) 515-5270
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lynchburg City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 7,727
- Schools in District
- 20
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,083
- District Rank
- #15 of 16
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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