Needs Improvement
#1794 of 1,851 schools in VA
Waterman Elementary
Elementary School · Harrisonburg City Public Schools
451 Chicago Ave, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Enrollment
559
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
2.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
559
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
2.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia schools
#1,794 of 1,851
In Harrisonburg
#12 of 12
public schools
In district
#9 of 9
Harrisonburg City Public Schools
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Waterman Elementary
Elementary School in Harrisonburg · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Eastern Mennonite School
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Thomas Harrison Middle
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Waterman Elementary
Waterman Elementary is a public elementary school in Harrisonburg, VA, part of Harrisonburg City Public Schools. Waterman Elementary serves approximately 559 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Waterman Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,794 of 1,851 schools in VA.
Structured state assessment records for Waterman Elementary show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 2.7 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 3.3
- VA avg 6.2
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Waterman Elementary — Students at Waterman Elementary score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 33 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.8/10.
How Waterman Elementary Compares
See how Waterman Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
451 Chicago Ave, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Waterman Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Linville-Edom Elementary (rated 4.3/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Linville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bluestone Elementary (rated 3.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Spotswood Elementary (rated 3.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Harrisonburg, see our Harrisonburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| EASTERN MENNONITE SCHOOL Harrisonburg | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Thomas Harrison Middle Harrisonburg | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Spotswood Elementary Harrisonburg | 1.2 mi | 3.7 |
| Keister Elementary Harrisonburg | 1.3 mi | 3.5 |
| MINNICK SCHOOL-HARRISONBURG Harrisonburg | 1.6 mi | — |
| Bluestone Elementary Harrisonburg | 1.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Harrisonburg High Harrisonburg | 2.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Stone Spring Elementary Harrisonburg | 2.7 mi | 2.7 |
| Skyline Middle Harrisonburg | 2.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Smithland Elementary Harrisonburg | 2.3 mi | 3.4 |
| Mountain View Elementary Harrisonburg | 2.3 mi | 3.6 |
| BEREA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Harrisonburg | 2.4 mi | 4.1 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rockingham | 3.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Pleasant Valley Elementary Harrisonburg | 4.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Linville-Edom Elementary Linville | 4.8 mi | 4.3 |
| OAK LANE SCHOOL Harrisonburg | 4.8 mi | — |
| Wilbur S. Pence Middle Dayton | 4.5 mi | 5.0 |
| REDEEMER CLASSICAL SCHOOL Keezletown | 4.8 mi | 6.3 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Rockingham | 5.0 mi | 4.3 |
| HICKORY HOLLOW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dayton | 5.5 mi | 4.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 22802 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,116
Median Home Value
$259,500
Median Rent
$1,101/mo
Population
29,370
College Educated
29.5%
Homeownership
55.8%
Avg Commute
17.8 min
Poverty Rate
16.2%
Median Age
37.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth D. Redd Elementary Richmond, VA | 2.7 |
| S.P. Morton Elementary Franklin, VA | 2.7 |
| Stone Spring Elementary Harrisonburg, VA | 2.7 |
| Sycamore Park Elementary Culpeper, VA | 2.7 |
| Westhaven Elementary Portsmouth, VA | 2.7 |
| Cool Spring Elementary Petersburg, VA | 2.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Waterman Elementary
What grades does Waterman Elementary serve?
Waterman Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Waterman Elementary?
Waterman Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 559 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Waterman Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Waterman Elementary is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Waterman Elementary rank in VA?
Waterman Elementary ranks #1,794 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is Waterman Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Waterman Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.7 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 Waterman Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Waterman Elementary has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Waterman Elementary a charter school?
No, Waterman Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Waterman Elementary a Title I school?
No, Waterman Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waterman Elementary?
81.8% of students at Waterman 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 559
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Harrisonburg city
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 19.3%
- Phone
- (540) 434-8352
Resources & Links
District
Harrisonburg City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 6,786
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,787
- District Rank
- #9 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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