Excellent
#112 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 6% in state
Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary
Elementary School · Staunton City Public Schools
1101 N Coalter St, Staunton, VA 24401
Enrollment
429
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
429
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Staunton
#1 of 10
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#54 of 1,147
In district
#1 of 6
Staunton City Public Schools
Equity
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary
Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary is a public elementary school in Staunton, VA, part of the Staunton City Public Schools. The school serves approximately 429 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1.
It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 94th percentile among VA schools — an above average rating overall. Students demonstrate 86% proficiency in math, 12 points above the state average and 82% in reading/language arts, 10 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.0/10).
Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $63,746, where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The school is situated in a small city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary — Students at Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary score 87% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.4%
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: 9.0/10.
How Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary Compares
See how Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 90% (2019) to 90% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 82% (2019) to 84% (2025).
Location
1101 N Coalter St, Staunton, VA 24401
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bessie Weller Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Arthur R. Ware Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 2.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, C.F. RICHARDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 2.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Staunton, see our Staunton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Staunton High Staunton | 0.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind High Staunton | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind Middle Staunton | 1.0 mi | — |
| Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind Elementary Staunton | 1.0 mi | — |
| ELK HILL STAUNTON SCHOOL Staunton | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Staunton | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
| STUART HALL SCHOOL Staunton | 1.4 mi | 7.9 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE Staunton | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Bessie Weller Elementary Staunton | 1.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Staunton City School PreSchool Programs Staunton | 1.8 mi | 5.5 |
| C.F. RICHARDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Staunton | 2.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Arthur R. Ware Elementary Staunton | 2.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Shelburne Middle Staunton | 2.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Beverley Manor Middle Staunton | 3.6 mi | 3.4 |
| Wilson Middle Fishersville | 4.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Wilson Elementary Fishersville | 5.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Wilson Memorial High Fishersville | 4.9 mi | 6.7 |
| S. Gordon Stewart Middle Fort Defiance | 7.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Edward G. Clymore Elementary Fort Defiance | 7.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Fort Defiance High Fort Defiance | 7.3 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,746
Median Home Value
$253,700
Median Rent
$1,002/mo
Population
37,720
College Educated
32.2%
Homeownership
63.6%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
11.3%
Median Age
44.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary has a median household income of $63,746. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $253,700, with a median rent of $1,002/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Great Falls Elementary Great Falls, VA | 8.6 |
| Herman L. Horn Elementary Vinton, VA | 8.6 |
| Troutville Elementary Troutville, VA | 8.6 |
| Valley Institute Elementary Bristol, VA | 8.6 |
| Aldrin Elementary Reston, VA | 8.7 |
| Back Creek Elementary Roanoke, VA | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary
What grades does Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary serve?
Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary?
Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 429 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary rank in VA?
Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary is ranked #112 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary has 85.7% math proficiency and 81.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary a charter school?
No, Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary a Title I school?
No, Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thomas C. Mcswain Elementary?
81.4% of students at Thomas C. Mcswain 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Staunton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 429
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Staunton city
- Phone
- (540) 332-3936
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Staunton City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,695
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,422
- District Rank
- #1 of 6
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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