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Excellent

#191 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 10% in state

Thomas Jefferson Elementary

Elementary School · Bedford County Public Schools

1255 Patriot Place, Forest, VA 24551

Enrollment

540

Student-Teacher

15.9:1

Score

8.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#191 of 1,851

In Forest

#1 of 5

public schools

In district

#2 of 19

Bedford County Public Schools

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Thomas Jefferson Elementary

8.4/10

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

Jefferson Forest High

6.8/10

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

Forest Middle

7.2/10

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

About Thomas Jefferson Elementary

Thomas Jefferson Elementary is a public elementary school in Forest, VA, part of Bedford County Public Schools. Thomas Jefferson Elementary serves approximately 540 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Thomas Jefferson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #191 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Thomas Jefferson Elementary show 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.2 pts above district
  • This school 8.4 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.2
  • VA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Thomas Jefferson 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 Progress9.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+0.34 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency90% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency86% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg+16.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.3 pts
Overall Proficiency88% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)82% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+5.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,519
Chronic Absenteeism11.9%

Thomas Jefferson Elementary — Students at Thomas Jefferson Elementary score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 82%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 81.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
71.7% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 81.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.2% (2025 SOL)

Based on 34 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
85%
ELA
88%
2010
Math
85%
ELA
86%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
90%
2012
Math
63%
ELA
75%
2013
Math
71%
ELA
74%
2014
Math
79%
ELA
78%
2015
Math
80%
ELA
78%
2016
Math
78%
ELA
78%
2017
ELA
82%
2018
Math
88%
ELA
79%
2019
Math
88%
ELA
79%
2020*
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
92.2%
ELA
86%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Thomas Jefferson Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.4/10
90th percentile in VA
Academic
8.6/10
Excellent
Growth
9.8/10
Excellent
Environment
4.4/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
11.9%

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

1255 Patriot Place, Forest, VA 24551

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thomas Jefferson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Boonsboro Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Lynchburg), with a very similar rating. Another option is New London Academy Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 3.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Leesville Road Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Lynchburg), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Forest, see our Forest schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Jefferson Forest High Forest 1.6 mi 6.8
Forest Middle Forest 1.5 mi 7.2
Forest Elementary Forest 1.7 mi 7.4
TIMBERLAKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Forest 2.0 mi 4.2
Brookville Middle Lynchburg 2.8 mi 5.8
Tomahawk Elementary Lynchburg 2.9 mi 6.3
New London Academy Elementary Forest 3.6 mi 8.0
Brookville High Lynchburg 3.0 mi 6.7
BLUE RIDGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lynchburg 3.4 mi 7.3
THE BRANCHES ACADEMY & EARLY LEARNING CENTER Lynchburg 3.2 mi 5.4
Leesville Road Elementary Lynchburg 4.3 mi 7.6
Heritage Elementary Lynchburg 4.4 mi 5.8
Heritage High Lynchburg 4.5 mi 5.7
BRIDGES TREATMENT CENTER Lynchburg 4.7 mi
Sandusky Elementary Lynchburg 4.9 mi 5.3
Sandusky Middle Lynchburg 5.0 mi 4.1
NEW COVENANT SCHOOLS Lynchburg 5.3 mi 5.1
Sheffield Elementary Lynchburg 5.4 mi 5.9
Boonsboro Elementary Lynchburg 6.8 mi 8.2
RIVERMONT LYNCHBURG NORTH Lynchburg 6.2 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24551 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$91,119

Median Home Value

$345,600

Median Rent

$1,087/mo

Population

27,606

College Educated

46.8%

Homeownership

81.6%

Avg Commute

23.2 min

Poverty Rate

6.7%

Median Age

42

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alanton Elementary Virginia Beach, VA 8.4
Ashburn Elementary Ashburn, VA 8.4
Camp Allen Elementary Norfolk, VA 8.4
Campbell Elementary Arlington, VA 8.4
Chesterbrook Elementary Mclean, VA 8.4
Hickory Elementary Chesapeake, VA 8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thomas Jefferson Elementary

What grades does Thomas Jefferson Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Thomas Jefferson Elementary?

Thomas Jefferson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 540 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas Jefferson Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Jefferson Elementary is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Thomas Jefferson Elementary rank in VA?

Thomas Jefferson Elementary ranks #191 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Thomas Jefferson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Thomas Jefferson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 Thomas Jefferson Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thomas Jefferson Elementary has 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Thomas Jefferson Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Thomas Jefferson Elementary a Title I school?

No, Thomas Jefferson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

28.1% of students at Thomas Jefferson 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
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
540
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
28.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Bedford County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
11.9%

District

Bedford County Public Schools
District Enrollment
9,059
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,519
District Rank
#2 of 19

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