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Needs Improvement

#1711 of 1,851 schools in VA

Smithland Elementary

Elementary School · Harrisonburg City Public Schools

474 Linda Lane, Harrisonburg, VA 22802

Enrollment

727

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

3.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,711 of 1,851

In Harrisonburg

#10 of 12

public schools

In district

#7 of 9

Harrisonburg City Public Schools

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Smithland Elementary

3.4/10

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

Skyline Middle

4.1/10

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

Spotswood Elementary

3.7/10

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

About Smithland Elementary

Smithland Elementary is a public elementary school in Harrisonburg, VA, part of Harrisonburg City Public Schools. Smithland Elementary serves approximately 727 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Smithland Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,711 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Smithland Elementary show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.3
  • VA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Smithland Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.87 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-16.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28.7 pts
Overall Proficiency52% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)69% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-17.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
Resources & Environment6.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,787
Chronic Absenteeism14.3%

Smithland Elementary — Students at Smithland Elementary score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 57.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.5% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 56.3% (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
77%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
69%
ELA
64%
2015
Math
60%
ELA
63%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
60%
2017
ELA
54%
2018
Math
71%
ELA
56%
2019
Math
71%
ELA
56%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
56.8%
ELA
46.3%

* 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: 2.9/10.

How Smithland Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.4/10
8th percentile in VA
Academic
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.0/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.3%

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

474 Linda Lane, Harrisonburg, VA 22802

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Smithland Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Peak View Elementary (rated 4.7/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Penn Laird), which scores notably higher. Another option is Linville-Edom Elementary (rated 4.3/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Linville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Bluestone Elementary (rated 3.9/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Harrisonburg, see our Harrisonburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Skyline Middle Harrisonburg 0.1 mi 4.1
Spotswood Elementary Harrisonburg 1.3 mi 3.7
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rockingham 2.5 mi 6.2
Waterman Elementary Harrisonburg 2.3 mi 2.7
REDEEMER CLASSICAL SCHOOL Keezletown 2.5 mi 6.3
Stone Spring Elementary Harrisonburg 2.7 mi 2.7
Keister Elementary Harrisonburg 2.6 mi 3.5
EASTERN MENNONITE SCHOOL Harrisonburg 2.9 mi 5.9
MINNICK SCHOOL-HARRISONBURG Harrisonburg 3.3 mi
Thomas Harrison Middle Harrisonburg 3.1 mi 5.2
Bluestone Elementary Harrisonburg 3.8 mi 3.9
Harrisonburg High Harrisonburg 4.0 mi 5.5
BEREA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Harrisonburg 4.1 mi 4.1
Peak View Elementary Penn Laird 5.0 mi 4.7
Pleasant Valley Elementary Harrisonburg 4.5 mi 3.5
Mountain View Elementary Harrisonburg 4.4 mi 3.6
Linville-Edom Elementary Linville 5.7 mi 4.3
Montevideo Middle Penn Laird 6.1 mi 6.6
Spotswood High Penn Laird 6.0 mi 6.9
Cub Run Elementary Penn Laird 6.3 mi 3.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 22802 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,116

Median Home Value

$259,500

Median Rent

$1,101/mo

Population

29,370

College Educated

29.5%

Homeownership

55.8%

Avg Commute

17.8 min

Poverty Rate

16.2%

Median Age

37.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Anne E. Moncure Elementary Stafford, VA 3.4
Cub Run Elementary Penn Laird, VA 3.4
Groveton Elementary Alexandria, VA 3.4
Parkside Elementary Fredericksburg, VA 3.4
Triangle Elementary Triangle, VA 3.4
William Perry Elementary Waynesboro, VA 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Smithland Elementary

What grades does Smithland Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Smithland Elementary?

Smithland Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 727 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Smithland Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Smithland Elementary is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Smithland Elementary rank in VA?

Smithland Elementary ranks #1,711 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Smithland Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Smithland Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 Smithland Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Smithland Elementary has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Smithland Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Smithland Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

77.3% of students at Smithland 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
11 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
19 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
727
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
47
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Harrisonburg city
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.3%

District

Harrisonburg City Public Schools
District Enrollment
6,786
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,787
District Rank
#7 of 9

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