Average
#1029 of 1,850 schools in VA
T. Ryland Sanford Elementary
Elementary School · Newport News City Public Schools
480 Colony Road, Newport News, VA 23602
Enrollment
454
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
454
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newport News
#17 of 39
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#555 of 1,147
In district
#17 of 40
Newport News City Public Schools
Academic growth
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About T. Ryland Sanford Elementary
T. Ryland Sanford Elementary is a public elementary school located in Newport News, Virginia, at 480 Colony Road. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 454 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1 with 28 full-time equivalent teachers.
The academic performance at T. Ryland Sanford Elementary shows that 61% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 57% reach proficiency in Math. These scores indicate the school is working diligently to support student development and has room for improvement academically.
Despite this, the school's overall MySchoolScout rating stands at 4.8 out of 10, placing it in the 36th percentile among Virginia schools based on its state ranking. T. Ryland Sanford Elementary is situated in a mid-size city setting within Newport News, providing students with a diverse and engaging environment.
The school community focuses on nurturing young minds and fostering growth in all areas of learning.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at T. Ryland Sanford 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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T. Ryland Sanford Elementary — Students at T. Ryland Sanford Elementary score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.9/10.
How T. Ryland Sanford Elementary Compares
See how T. Ryland Sanford Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 71% (2019) to 62% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 65% (2025).
Location
480 Colony Road, Newport News, VA 23602
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering T. Ryland Sanford Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hidenwood Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is George J. McIntosh Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Stoney Run Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Newport News, see our Newport News schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Denbigh High Newport News | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| B.C. Charles Elementary Newport News | 1.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Menchville High Newport News | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Stoney Run Elementary Newport News | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Willis A. Jenkins Elementary Newport News | 1.3 mi | 3.5 |
| FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DENBIGH CHILD DEVT CENTER AND Newport News | 1.4 mi | — |
| Knollwood Meadows Elementary Newport News | 1.6 mi | 3.9 |
| David A. Dutrow Elementary Newport News | 2.3 mi | 5.1 |
| DENBIGH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newport News | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Mary Passage Middle Newport News | 2.6 mi | 6.4 |
| George J. McIntosh Elementary Newport News | 2.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Richard T. Yates Elementary Newport News | 2.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Richneck Elementary Newport News | 3.3 mi | 3.8 |
| General Stanford Elementary Ft. Eustis | 3.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle Newport News | 3.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Denbigh Early Childhood Center Newport News | 3.6 mi | 5.7 |
| DENBIGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Newport News | 3.4 mi | — |
| L.F. Palmer Elementary Newport News | 3.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Kiln Creek Elementary Newport News | 3.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Hidenwood Elementary Newport News | 3.7 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 23602 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,487
Median Home Value
$270,200
Median Rent
$1,446/mo
Population
42,699
College Educated
36.2%
Homeownership
51.6%
Avg Commute
24.4 min
Poverty Rate
14.1%
Median Age
34.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding T. Ryland Sanford Elementary has a median household income of $72,487. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $270,200, with a median rent of $1,446/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Buchanan Elementary Buchanan, VA | 6.2 |
| Flatwoods Elementary Jonesville, VA | 6.2 |
| George W. Carver Elementary Richmond, VA | 6.2 |
| Glenvar Elementary Salem, VA | 6.2 |
| Jane H. Bryan Elementary Hampton, VA | 6.2 |
| Larrymore Elementary Norfolk, VA | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about T. Ryland Sanford Elementary
What grades does T. Ryland Sanford Elementary serve?
T. Ryland Sanford Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend T. Ryland Sanford Elementary?
T. Ryland Sanford Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 454 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at T. Ryland Sanford Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at T. Ryland Sanford Elementary is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does T. Ryland Sanford Elementary rank in VA?
T. Ryland Sanford Elementary is ranked #1029 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is T. Ryland Sanford Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
T. Ryland Sanford Elementary has a composite rating of 6.2 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 T. Ryland Sanford Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, T. Ryland Sanford Elementary has 57.2% math proficiency and 61.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is T. Ryland Sanford Elementary a charter school?
No, T. Ryland Sanford Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is T. Ryland Sanford Elementary a Title I school?
No, T. Ryland Sanford Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for T. Ryland Sanford Elementary?
97.1% of students at T. Ryland Sanford 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,173/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newport News). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 454
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Newport News city
- Phone
- (757) 886-7778
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newport News City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 26,183
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,082
- District Rank
- #17 of 40
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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