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Below Average

#1630 of 1,850 schools in VA

Widewater Elementary

Elementary School · Stafford County Public Schools

101 Den Rich Rd, Stafford, VA 22554

Enrollment

679

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

4.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Stafford

#19 of 21

public schools

Virginia elementary schools

#941 of 1,147

In district

#27 of 32

Stafford County Public Schools

About Widewater Elementary

Widewater Elementary in Stafford, Virginia is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 679 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1, the school provides a relatively small class size compared to many other schools. Widewater has 49 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its young learners.

Academically, Widewater Elementary is in the 17th percentile among Virginia's public elementary schools, with 59% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 60% proficient or above in Math. The school’s MySchoolScout Rating of 3.5 out of 10 reflects areas for growth but also highlights its commitment to student development. Widewater Elementary is situated in a rural setting near a town, offering students a close-knit community feel while still providing access to local amenities and services.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Widewater 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 Progress4.2Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61%
Reading/ELA Proficiency58%
Math vs. State Avg-12.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.7 pts
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)73%
vs. Expected-13.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,415

Widewater Elementary — Students at Widewater Elementary score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 60.2%
School
State
73.5%
ELA Proficiency 59.3%
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
76%
ELA
66%
2021*
Math
41%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
61%
ELA
58.3%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Widewater Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.1/10
12th percentile in VA
Academic
3.3/10
3.3/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers

Location

101 Den Rich Rd, Stafford, VA 22554

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Widewater Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST WILLIAM OF YORK CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Triangle), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Park Ridge Elementary (rated 5.3/10, 4.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Stafford, see our Stafford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Shirley C. Heim Middle Stafford 0.4 mi 4.7
ST WILLIAM OF YORK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Stafford 1.5 mi 6.0
Anne E. Moncure Elementary Stafford 2.5 mi 3.0
Hampton Oaks Elementary Stafford 3.2 mi 4.1
Anthony Burns Elementary Stafford 3.9 mi 5.1
Kate Waller Barrett Elementary Stafford 3.5 mi 3.4
GRACE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Stafford 4.3 mi 7.4
Stafford Elementary Stafford 4.5 mi 4.6
STAR BETHLEHEM CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Triangle 4.6 mi 2.1
H.H. Poole Middle Stafford 4.2 mi 5.2
MINNIELAND PRIVATE DAY SCHOOL Stafford 4.1 mi
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL Triangle 4.9 mi 6.0
Triangle Elementary Triangle 5.0 mi 3.7
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Triangle 5.3 mi 6.3
Brooke Point High Stafford 5.4 mi 7.6
Stafford Middle Stafford 5.4 mi 6.1
Park Ridge Elementary Stafford 4.4 mi 5.3
North Stafford High Stafford 4.8 mi 6.7
Graham Park Middle Triangle 5.7 mi 7.2
Winding Creek Elementary Stafford 5.3 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 22554 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$148,268

Median Home Value

$482,600

Median Rent

$2,000/mo

Population

64,605

College Educated

45.4%

Homeownership

80.2%

Avg Commute

38.7 min

Poverty Rate

3.5%

Median Age

35

Community Profile

The community surrounding Widewater Elementary has a median household income of $148,268. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $482,600, with a median rent of $2,000/month. The local poverty rate of 3.5% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 39 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Altavista Elementary Altavista, VA 4.1
Brookfield Elementary Chantilly, VA 4.1
Dupont Elementary Hopewell, VA 4.1
Hampton Oaks Elementary Stafford, VA 4.1
Hillpoint Elementary Suffolk, VA 4.1
John W. Wayland Elementary Bridgewater, VA 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Widewater Elementary

What grades does Widewater Elementary serve?

Widewater Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Widewater Elementary?

Widewater Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 679 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Widewater Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Widewater Elementary is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Widewater Elementary rank in VA?

Widewater Elementary is ranked #1630 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Widewater Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Widewater Elementary has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Widewater Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Widewater Elementary has 60.2% math proficiency and 59.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Widewater Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Widewater Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

76.9% of students at Widewater 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

County Safety
Elevated (1,034/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
679
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Stafford County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Stafford County Public Schools
District Enrollment
31,547
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,431
District Rank
#27 of 32

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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