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Needs Improvement

#1673 of 1,850 schools in VA

Varina Elementary

Elementary School · Henrico County Public Schools

2551 New Market Rd, Richmond, VA 23231

Enrollment

261

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

3.8

Grades

3rd – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Richmond

#70 of 94

public schools

Virginia elementary schools

#982 of 1,147

In district

#48 of 67

Henrico County Public Schools

School environment

7.0 / 10

Strong

About Varina Elementary

Varina Elementary is a regular public school located in Richmond, Virginia, within Henrico County. The school serves students from third to fifth grade and has an enrollment of 261 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1, Varina Elementary offers personalized attention to each student.

There are 21 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the educational needs of the students. Academically, the school's MySchoolScout rating is 2.9 out of 10, placing it in the 9th percentile among Virginia schools. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate for Varina Elementary is 54%, and 52% of students are proficient or above in Math.

These scores indicate areas where the school has room for improvement but also highlight ongoing efforts to enhance student learning. Varina Elementary is situated in a rural area near a town, providing a peaceful setting conducive to focused learning. The community around the school offers a close-knit environment that supports and nurtures young learners as they progress through their elementary years.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Varina 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.1Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.7Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency55%
Math vs. State Avg-21.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.7 pts
Overall Proficiency54%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected-15.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,658

Varina Elementary — Students at Varina Elementary score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

92.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 52.5%
School
State
73.5%
ELA Proficiency 53.7%
School
State
72.2%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
75%
ELA
66%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
52%
ELA
54.8%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How Varina Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.8/10
10th percentile in VA
Academic
2.7/10
2.7/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
93%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

2551 New Market Rd, Richmond, VA 23231

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Varina Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Oak Grove/Bellemeade Elementary (rated 4.2/10, 6.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Anthony P. Mehfoud Elementary (rated 4.1/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Henry D. Ward Elementary (rated 3.8/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Richmond, see our Richmond schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Anthony P. Mehfoud Elementary Richmond 0.8 mi 4.1
Varina High Richmond 2.3 mi 7.3
John Rolfe Middle Richmond 2.4 mi 4.5
Henry D. Ward Elementary Richmond 2.3 mi 3.8
George F. Baker Elementary Richmond 2.7 mi 2.4
Montrose Elementary Richmond 5.3 mi 3.0
CHURCH HILL ACADEMY Richmond 5.5 mi 5.7
Seven Pines Elementary Sandston 5.7 mi 2.8
Sandston Elementary Sandston 6.0 mi 3.3
GODDARD SCHOOL-RIVERS BEND Chester 6.4 mi
Jacob L. Adams Elementary Richmond 6.4 mi 3.8
Fair Oaks Elementary Highland Springs 6.4 mi 2.8
Highland Springs High Highland Springs 6.6 mi 6.7
Bensley Elementary North Chesterfield 5.4 mi 2.6
Franklin Military Academy Richmond 6.4 mi 8.6
Summer Hill Preschool Center Richmond 5.5 mi 6.5
Highland Springs Elementary Highland Springs 6.8 mi 3.1
Fairfield Middle Richmond 7.0 mi 4.3
Bellwood Elementary North Chesterfield 6.0 mi 2.5
Oak Grove/Bellemeade Elementary Richmond 6.0 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23231 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,245

Median Home Value

$270,400

Median Rent

$1,272/mo

Population

37,949

College Educated

28.6%

Homeownership

67.7%

Avg Commute

26.1 min

Poverty Rate

12.5%

Median Age

42.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Varina Elementary has a median household income of $74,245. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $270,400, with a median rent of $1,272/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Boones Mill Elementary Boones Mill, VA 3.8
Lacey Spring Elementary Harrisonburg, VA 3.8
South River Elementary Grottoes, VA 3.8
Stewartsville Elementary Goodview, VA 3.8
Castlewood Elementary Castlewood, VA 3.7
Johnson Elementary Charlottesville, VA 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Varina Elementary

What grades does Varina Elementary serve?

Varina Elementary serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.

How many students attend Varina Elementary?

Varina Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 261 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Varina Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Varina Elementary is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Varina Elementary rank in VA?

Varina Elementary is ranked #1673 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Varina Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Varina Elementary has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Varina Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Varina Elementary has 52.5% math proficiency and 53.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Varina Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Varina Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

92.7% of students at Varina 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

City Safety
High (3,531/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Richmond). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
261
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
92.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Henrico County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Henrico County Public Schools
District Enrollment
50,463
Schools in District
81
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,973
District Rank
#48 of 67

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

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