Needs Improvement
#1832 of 1,850 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
2.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
559
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
2.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Harrisonburg
#12 of 12
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#1,130 of 1,147
In district
#9 of 9
Harrisonburg City Public Schools
About Waterman Elementary
Waterman Elementary is a regular public school in Harrisonburg, Virginia, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 559 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child. Waterman Elementary has 38 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse learning community.
Academically, the school’s MySchoolScout rating is 1.8 out of 10, ranking it 1st percentile among Virginia schools. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 47%, and for Math, it's 49%. These scores indicate areas where the school can focus on further growth and development to enhance student achievement.
Waterman Elementary is situated in a small city setting within Harrisonburg, offering students access to community resources while maintaining a close-knit educational environment.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Waterman Elementary — Students at Waterman Elementary score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).
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 12 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
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 74% (2019) to 47% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 42% (2025).
Location
451 Chicago Ave, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Waterman Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Keister Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Spotswood Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bluestone Elementary (rated 4.3/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 6.0 |
| Spotswood Elementary Harrisonburg | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Keister Elementary Harrisonburg | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| MINNICK SCHOOL-HARRISONBURG Harrisonburg | 1.6 mi | — |
| Bluestone Elementary Harrisonburg | 1.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Harrisonburg High Harrisonburg | 2.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Stone Spring Elementary Harrisonburg | 2.7 mi | 2.6 |
| Skyline Middle Harrisonburg | 2.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Smithland Elementary Harrisonburg | 2.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Mountain View Elementary Harrisonburg | 2.3 mi | 4.1 |
| 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 | 3.2 |
| Linville-Edom Elementary Linville | 4.8 mi | 3.3 |
| OAK LANE SCHOOL Harrisonburg | 4.8 mi | — |
| Wilbur S. Pence Middle Dayton | 4.5 mi | 6.2 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Waterman Elementary has a median household income of $62,116. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $259,500, with a median rent of $1,101/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.2%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Bensley Elementary North Chesterfield, VA | 2.6 |
| Crestwood Intermediate Chesapeake, VA | 2.6 |
| Glen Lea Elementary Richmond, VA | 2.6 |
| Grace Miller Elementary Bealeton, VA | 2.6 |
| Stone Spring Elementary Harrisonburg, VA | 2.6 |
| Bellwood Elementary North Chesterfield, VA | 2.5 |
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 is ranked #1832 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Waterman Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Waterman Elementary has a composite rating of 2.6 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 Waterman Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Waterman Elementary has 48.8% math proficiency and 46.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (1,966/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Harrisonburg). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (540) 434-8352
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.