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Below Average

#1640 of 1,850 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

4.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Harrisonburg

#8 of 12

public schools

Virginia elementary schools

#951 of 1,147

In district

#7 of 9

Harrisonburg City Public Schools

About Smithland Elementary

Smithland Elementary is a regular public school located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, on Linda Lane. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 727 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1 and 47 full-time equivalent teachers, Smithland Elementary aims to provide personalized attention and support for each child's educational journey.

The academic performance at Smithland Elementary shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1708 out of 1856 schools in Virginia (8th percentile). In terms of test scores, 46% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 52% are proficient or above in Math. The school focuses on student development and growth to help its students reach their full potential.

Smithland Elementary is situated in a rural area near the town of Harrisonburg, providing a close-knit community atmosphere for both staff and families.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Smithland Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.29 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.4Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Math vs. State Avg-16.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28.7 pts
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)73%
vs. Expected-20.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,710

Smithland Elementary — Students at Smithland Elementary score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

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 52.5%
School
State
73.5%
ELA Proficiency 46.3%
School
State
72.2%

Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
71%
ELA
56%
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: 4.6/10.

How Smithland Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.0/10
11th percentile in VA
Academic
2.4/10
2.4/10
Growth
4.6/10
Below average
Environment
5.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers

Location

474 Linda Lane, Harrisonburg, VA 22802

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Smithland Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Keister Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Spotswood Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Peak View Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Penn Laird), which scores notably 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 5.9
Spotswood Elementary Harrisonburg 1.3 mi 6.9
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rockingham 2.5 mi 6.2
Waterman Elementary Harrisonburg 2.3 mi 2.6
REDEEMER CLASSICAL SCHOOL Keezletown 2.5 mi 6.3
Stone Spring Elementary Harrisonburg 2.7 mi 2.6
Keister Elementary Harrisonburg 2.6 mi 7.3
EASTERN MENNONITE SCHOOL Harrisonburg 2.9 mi 5.9
MINNICK SCHOOL-HARRISONBURG Harrisonburg 3.3 mi
Thomas Harrison Middle Harrisonburg 3.1 mi 6.0
Bluestone Elementary Harrisonburg 3.8 mi 4.3
Harrisonburg High Harrisonburg 4.0 mi 5.6
BEREA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Harrisonburg 4.1 mi 4.1
Peak View Elementary Penn Laird 5.0 mi 6.4
Pleasant Valley Elementary Harrisonburg 4.5 mi 3.2
Mountain View Elementary Harrisonburg 4.4 mi 4.1
Linville-Edom Elementary Linville 5.7 mi 3.3
Montevideo Middle Penn Laird 6.1 mi 7.3
Spotswood High Penn Laird 6.0 mi 7.3
Cub Run Elementary Penn Laird 6.3 mi 4.4

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Smithland Elementary has a median household income of $62,116. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $259,500, with a median rent of $1,101/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.2%. 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
Achievable Dream Academy Newport News, VA 4.0
Bayside Elementary Virginia Beach, VA 4.0
Brookwood Elementary Virginia Beach, VA 4.0
Carlin Springs Elementary Arlington, VA 4.0
Churchland Academy Elementary Portsmouth, VA 4.0
Coleman Place Elementary Norfolk, VA 4.0

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 is ranked #1640 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Smithland Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Smithland Elementary has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Smithland Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Smithland Elementary has 52.5% math proficiency and 46.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (1,966/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Harrisonburg). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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