Very Good
#595 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 32% in state
Walker Upper Elementary
Middle School · Charlottesville City Public Schools
1564 Dairy Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Enrollment
604
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
7.1
Grades
5th – 6th
Enrollment
604
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
7.1
Grades
5th – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Charlottesville
#10 of 25
public schools
Virginia middle schools
#133 of 340
In district
#4 of 9
Charlottesville City Public Schools
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Walker Upper Elementary
Walker Upper Elementary is a regular public school located in the heart of Charlottesville, Virginia. Situated at 1564 Dairy Road, it serves students in grades 5 through 6 as part of the middle school level. With an enrollment of 604 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1, Walker Upper Elementary ensures that each child receives individual attention from its team of 47 full-time equivalent teachers.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.7 out of 10, placing it in the 52nd percentile among Virginia's schools with a state ranking of #899 out of 1856 institutions. Academically, Walker Upper Elementary scores an average of 3.2 out of 10, reflecting areas for improvement, particularly in ELA and reading where 62% of students are proficient or above, and math proficiency stands at 56%. Despite these numbers, the school remains committed to student development and continuous learning.
Walker Upper Elementary is nestled in a small city setting within Charlottesville, offering its students easy access to local amenities and resources while fostering a close-knit community atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Walker Upper 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
View breakdown
Walker Upper Elementary — Students at Walker Upper Elementary score 63% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
87.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 10 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: 8.1/10.
How Walker Upper Elementary Compares
See how Walker Upper Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 62% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 65% (2019) to 64% (2025).
Location
1564 Dairy Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Walker Upper Elementary may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Jackson P. Burley Middle (rated 5.9/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is VILLAGE SCHOOL (rated 5.3/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Buford Middle (rated 3.7/10, 2.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Charlottesville, see our Charlottesville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville High Charlottesville | 0.4 mi | 7.6 |
| CENTER FOR ADOLESCENT AND ADULT AUTISM SERVICES Charlottesville | 0.7 mi | — |
| ELK HILL CHARLOTTESVILLE SCHOOL Charlottesville | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Community Lab School Charlottesville | 0.9 mi | 9.2 |
| Jackson P. Burley Middle Charlottesville | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Greenbrier Elementary Charlottesville | 1.0 mi | 8.0 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CHARLOTTESVILLE Charlottesville | 1.0 mi | — |
| FIRST BAPTIST PRESCHOOL Charlottesville | 1.1 mi | — |
| Venable Elementary Charlottesville | 1.3 mi | 3.7 |
| CHARLOTTESVILLE WALDORF SCHOOL Charlottesville | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CHARLOTTESVILLE Charlottesville | 1.3 mi | — |
| VILLAGE SCHOOL Charlottesville | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| RENAISSANCE SCHOOL Charlottesville | 1.6 mi | 7.3 |
| CHARLOTTESVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Charlottesville | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| CHARLOTTESVILLE DAY SCHOOL Charlottesville | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Burnley-Moran Elementary Charlottesville | 1.7 mi | 3.5 |
| Albemarle High Charlottesville | 1.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Buford Middle Charlottesville | 2.0 mi | 3.7 |
| THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF CHARLOTTESVILLE Charlottesville | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Clark Elementary Charlottesville | 2.2 mi | 2.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 22903 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,352
Median Home Value
$510,500
Median Rent
$1,479/mo
Population
39,925
College Educated
65.1%
Homeownership
41.1%
Avg Commute
18.1 min
Poverty Rate
25.3%
Median Age
28.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Walker Upper Elementary has a median household income of $64,352. It is a well-educated community where 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $510,500, with a median rent of $1,479/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Battlefield Middle Fredericksburg, VA | 7.1 |
| Joseph T. Henley Middle Crozet, VA | 7.1 |
| Kate Collins Middle Waynesboro, VA | 7.1 |
| Lois Hornsby Middle Williamsburg, VA | 7.1 |
| Tunstall Middle Dry Fork, VA | 7.1 |
| Franklin Middle Chantilly, VA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Walker Upper Elementary
What grades does Walker Upper Elementary serve?
Walker Upper Elementary serves students in grades 5th through 6th.
How many students attend Walker Upper Elementary?
Walker Upper Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 604 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Walker Upper Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Walker Upper Elementary is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Walker Upper Elementary rank in VA?
Walker Upper Elementary is ranked #595 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Walker Upper Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Walker Upper Elementary has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Walker Upper Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Walker Upper Elementary has 56.4% math proficiency and 61.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Walker Upper Elementary a charter school?
No, Walker Upper Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Walker Upper Elementary a Title I school?
No, Walker Upper Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Walker Upper Elementary?
87.6% of students at Walker Upper 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 (3,555/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Charlottesville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 6th
- Enrollment
- 604
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 87.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Charlottesville city
- Phone
- (434) 245-2412
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charlottesville City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,433
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,953
- District Rank
- #4 of 9
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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