Very Good
#276 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 15% 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
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
540
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Forest
#1 of 5
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#142 of 1,147
In district
#2 of 19
Bedford County Public Schools
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Thomas Jefferson Elementary
Thomas Jefferson Elementary serves 540 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Forest, Virginia, maintaining a comfortable student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1 with 34 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 82nd percentile among Virginia elementary schools at #325 out of 1,856 schools statewide. Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 89% achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 83% meeting proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading across all grade levels.
These impressive results reflect both effective teaching and strong community support for education. The school draws families from a well-established community where the median household income reaches $88,251 and nearly half of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a low poverty rate of just 5.2% and median home values around $331,100, the surrounding neighborhood of 26,873 residents demonstrates a stable, education-focused environment that values academic achievement.
Thomas Jefferson Elementary sits in a rural setting near the town of Forest in Bedford County, providing students with a peaceful learning environment while maintaining access to community resources and the natural beauty of central Virginia.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Thomas Jefferson 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
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Thomas Jefferson Elementary — Students at Thomas Jefferson Elementary score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 85%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 13 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: 9.5/10.
How Thomas Jefferson Elementary Compares
See how Thomas Jefferson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 88% (2019) to 90% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 79% (2019) to 86% (2025).
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. BLUE RIDGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Lynchburg), with a comparable rating. Another option is Boonsboro Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Lynchburg), with a comparable rating. Additionally, New London Academy Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 3.6 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 | 5.3 |
| Forest Middle Forest | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Forest Elementary Forest | 1.7 mi | 5.9 |
| TIMBERLAKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Forest | 2.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Brookville Middle Lynchburg | 2.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Tomahawk Elementary Lynchburg | 2.9 mi | 4.1 |
| New London Academy Elementary Forest | 3.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Brookville High Lynchburg | 3.0 mi | 5.3 |
| 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 | 5.5 |
| Heritage Elementary Lynchburg | 4.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Heritage High Lynchburg | 4.5 mi | 5.1 |
| BRIDGES TREATMENT CENTER Lynchburg | 4.7 mi | — |
| Sandusky Elementary Lynchburg | 4.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Sandusky Middle Lynchburg | 5.0 mi | 5.6 |
| NEW COVENANT SCHOOLS Lynchburg | 5.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Sheffield Elementary Lynchburg | 5.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Boonsboro Elementary Lynchburg | 6.8 mi | 7.0 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thomas Jefferson Elementary has a median household income of $91,119. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $345,600, with a median rent of $1,087/month. The local poverty rate of 6.7% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Albert W. Patrick III Elementary Hampton, VA | 7.9 |
| Barron Elementary Hampton, VA | 7.9 |
| Clermont Elementary Alexandria, VA | 7.9 |
| Coeburn Primary Coeburn, VA | 7.9 |
| Corporate Landing Elementary Virginia Beach, VA | 7.9 |
| Featherstone Elementary Woodbridge, VA | 7.9 |
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 is ranked #276 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Thomas Jefferson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Thomas Jefferson Elementary has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Jefferson Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thomas Jefferson Elementary has 88.7% math proficiency and 83.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (434) 534-6159
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bedford County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 9,059
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,519
- District Rank
- #2 of 19
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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