Skip to main content

Very Good

#565 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 31% in state

Sterling Elementary

Elementary School · Loudoun County Public Schools

200 W Church Rd, Sterling, VA 20164

Enrollment

418

Student-Teacher

9.3:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sterling

#6 of 19

public schools

Virginia elementary schools

#305 of 1,147

In district

#62 of 96

Loudoun County Public Schools

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Sterling Elementary

Sterling Elementary serves 418 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Sterling, Virginia, offering a strong educational foundation in Loudoun County. With 45 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent 9.3-to-1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention and support for each child. The school has earned recognition for its academic excellence, ranking #165 out of 1,856 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 91st percentile among Virginia schools.

This impressive ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational quality and student achievement. Sterling Elementary's MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 further demonstrates its solid academic standing. Located at 200 W Church Road, Sterling Elementary serves families in the 20164 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $125,302 and 39% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The community shows strong economic stability with a low poverty rate of 6.9% and median home values around $475,300. Sterling Elementary operates as a regular public school in a large suburban setting, providing students with the advantages of a well-resourced educational environment while maintaining the personal touch that comes with manageable class sizes and dedicated teaching staff.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Sterling Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.3:1, Sterling Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.1Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68%
Reading/ELA Proficiency59%
Math vs. State Avg-5.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.7 pts
Overall Proficiency64%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected-7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,993

Sterling Elementary — Students at Sterling Elementary score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 62.8%
School
State
73.5%
ELA Proficiency 55.8%
School
State
72.2%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
73%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
68%
ELA
58.3%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How Sterling Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
70th percentile in VA
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers

Location

200 W Church Rd, Sterling, VA 20164

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sterling Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. THE NEWTON SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dranesville Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Herndon), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Potowmack Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 2.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Sterling, see our Sterling schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Park View High Sterling 0.4 mi 7.4
Sterling Middle Sterling 0.6 mi 5.9
Sully Elementary Sterling 0.9 mi 4.2
Guilford Elementary Sterling 0.9 mi 3.2
THE NEWTON SCHOOL Sterling 1.1 mi 8.3
KARTER SCHOOL OF CASCADES Sterling 1.2 mi
Forest Grove Elementary Sterling 1.3 mi 4.2
Rolling Ridge Elementary Sterling 1.1 mi 3.8
Dranesville Elementary Herndon 1.2 mi 7.2
HIDAYAH ACADEMY Sterling 1.5 mi 7.8
Clearview Elementary Herndon 1.9 mi 5.8
Potowmack Elementary Sterling 2.2 mi 6.5
W.O. Robey High Sterling 2.0 mi 8.3
Dominion High Sterling 2.0 mi 8.0
Sugarland Elementary Sterling 2.2 mi 6.3
TEMPLE BAPTIST SCHOOL Herndon 2.1 mi 8.1
DULLES MONTESSORI SCHOOL Herndon 2.4 mi
Seneca Ridge Middle Sterling 2.1 mi 7.0
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF HERNDON Herndon 2.2 mi
Herndon High Herndon 2.2 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20164 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$132,067

Median Home Value

$526,700

Median Rent

$2,031/mo

Population

42,694

College Educated

38.6%

Homeownership

77.4%

Avg Commute

27.1 min

Poverty Rate

6.7%

Median Age

35

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sterling Elementary has a median household income of $132,067. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $526,700, with a median rent of $2,031/month. The local poverty rate of 6.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Boyce Elementary Boyce, VA 7.2
Clearbrook Elementary Roanoke, VA 7.2
Crystal Spring Elementary Roanoke, VA 7.2
East Salem Elementary Salem, VA 7.2
Forest Edge Elementary Reston, VA 7.2
Glen Cove Elementary Roanoke, VA 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sterling Elementary

What grades does Sterling Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Sterling Elementary?

Sterling Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 418 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sterling Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Sterling Elementary is 9.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sterling Elementary rank in VA?

Sterling Elementary is ranked #565 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Sterling Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sterling Elementary has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Sterling Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sterling Elementary has 62.8% math proficiency and 55.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sterling Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Sterling Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

84.0% of students at Sterling 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
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (622/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
418
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
45
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Loudoun County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Loudoun County Public Schools
District Enrollment
81,636
Schools in District
100
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,934
District Rank
#62 of 96

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.