Below Average
#1451 of 1,851 schools in VA
Wilderness Elementary
Elementary School · Spotsylvania County Public Schools
11600 Catharpin Rd, Spotsylvania, VA 22553
Enrollment
650
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
650
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia schools
#1,451 of 1,851
In Spotsylvania
#9 of 15
public schools
In district
#17 of 29
Spotsylvania County Public Schools
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Wilderness Elementary
Elementary School in Spotsylvania · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Ni River Middle
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Tree of Life Christian Prep School
2.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Wilderness Elementary
Wilderness Elementary is a public elementary school in Spotsylvania, VA, part of Spotsylvania County Public Schools. Wilderness Elementary serves approximately 650 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Wilderness Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,451 of 1,851 schools in VA.
Structured state assessment records for Wilderness Elementary show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.7 · Below Average
- District avg 4.8
- VA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Wilderness Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Wilderness Elementary — Students at Wilderness Elementary score 65% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72.8%
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: 5.1/10.
How Wilderness Elementary Compares
See how Wilderness 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
11600 Catharpin Rd, Spotsylvania, VA 22553
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Wilderness Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Brock Road Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chancellor Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Fredericksburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Smith Station Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Fredericksburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Spotsylvania, see our Spotsylvania schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ni River Middle Spotsylvania | 0.3 mi | 5.9 |
| TREE OF LIFE CHRISTIAN PREP SCHOOL Fredericksburg | 2.4 mi | 5.9 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL Fredericksburg | 3.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Chancellor Elementary Fredericksburg | 2.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Freedom Middle Fredericksburg | 2.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Riverbend High Fredericksburg | 3.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Brock Road Elementary Spotsylvania | 3.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Chancellor High Fredericksburg | 3.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Chancellor Middle Fredericksburg | 3.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Harrison Road Elementary Fredericksburg | 4.0 mi | 2.5 |
| ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL HIGH SCHOOL Fredericksburg | 4.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Spotswood Elementary Spotsylvania | 5.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Courtland High Spotsylvania | 5.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Courtland Elementary Spotsylvania | 5.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Battlefield Elementary Fredericksburg | 4.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Smith Station Elementary Fredericksburg | 4.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Battlefield Middle Fredericksburg | 4.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Spotsylvania Middle Spotsylvania | 5.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Courthouse Road Elementary Spotsylvania | 5.0 mi | 5.2 |
| ELITE ACADEMY CORPORATION Fredericksburg | 4.9 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 22553 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$131,416
Median Home Value
$438,700
Median Rent
$1,870/mo
Population
16,960
College Educated
36.2%
Homeownership
80.8%
Avg Commute
41.1 min
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Median Age
38.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Battlefield Elementary Fredericksburg, VA | 4.7 |
| Chase City Elementary Chase City, VA | 4.7 |
| Forest Grove Elementary Sterling, VA | 4.7 |
| James K. Polk Elementary Alexandria, VA | 4.7 |
| Mountain View Elementary Charlottesville, VA | 4.7 |
| Peak View Elementary Penn Laird, VA | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Wilderness Elementary
What grades does Wilderness Elementary serve?
Wilderness Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Wilderness Elementary?
Wilderness Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 650 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Wilderness Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Wilderness Elementary is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Wilderness Elementary rank in VA?
Wilderness Elementary ranks #1,451 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is Wilderness Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Wilderness Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 Wilderness Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Wilderness Elementary has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Wilderness Elementary a charter school?
No, Wilderness Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Wilderness Elementary a Title I school?
No, Wilderness Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wilderness Elementary?
72.8% of students at Wilderness 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
- 650
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 72.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Spotsylvania County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 21.5%
- Phone
- (540) 786-9817
Resources & Links
District
Spotsylvania County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 24,012
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,858
- District Rank
- #17 of 29
Other Schools in This District
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