Needs Improvement
#1700 of 1,850 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
3.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
650
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Spotsylvania
#13 of 15
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#1,007 of 1,147
In district
#23 of 29
Spotsylvania County Public Schools
About Wilderness Elementary
Wilderness Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Spotsylvania, Virginia. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 650 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1 with 42 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is rural yet close to a town, offering a blend of natural surroundings and community resources.
According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, Wilderness Elementary has an overall score of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks at the 20th percentile among Virginia schools with a state ranking of #1489 out of 1856 schools. Academic performance shows that 67% of students are proficient or above in both ELA/Reading and Math, indicating areas for continued growth and development. Wilderness Elementary provides a supportive learning environment with dedicated teachers and ample opportunities for student engagement despite the challenges highlighted by its current academic ranking.
The school is situated near the town of Spotsylvania, offering students a mix of rural tranquility and nearby amenities.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Wilderness 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Wilderness Elementary — Students at Wilderness Elementary score 65% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).
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 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: 3.4/10.
How Wilderness Elementary Compares
See how Wilderness Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 65% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 65% (2025).
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 6.5/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is TREE OF LIFE CHRISTIAN PREP SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Fredericksburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Spotswood Elementary (rated 5.9/10, 5.0 miles away), 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 | 7.5 |
| 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 | 5.2 |
| Freedom Middle Fredericksburg | 2.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Riverbend High Fredericksburg | 3.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Brock Road Elementary Spotsylvania | 3.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Chancellor High Fredericksburg | 3.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Chancellor Middle Fredericksburg | 3.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Harrison Road Elementary Fredericksburg | 4.0 mi | 4.2 |
| ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL HIGH SCHOOL Fredericksburg | 4.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Spotswood Elementary Spotsylvania | 5.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Courtland High Spotsylvania | 5.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Courtland Elementary Spotsylvania | 5.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Battlefield Elementary Fredericksburg | 4.7 mi | 3.1 |
| Smith Station Elementary Fredericksburg | 4.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Battlefield Middle Fredericksburg | 4.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Spotsylvania Middle Spotsylvania | 5.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Courthouse Road Elementary Spotsylvania | 5.0 mi | 3.7 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Wilderness Elementary has a median household income of $131,416. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $438,700, with a median rent of $1,870/month. The local poverty rate of 3.7% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 41 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 |
|---|---|
| Baker-Butler Elem Charlottesville, VA | 3.7 |
| Courthouse Road Elementary Spotsylvania, VA | 3.7 |
| Hybla Valley Elementary Alexandria, VA | 3.7 |
| Orchard View Elementary Winchester, VA | 3.7 |
| Triangle Elementary Triangle, VA | 3.7 |
| Brookneal Elementary Brookneal, VA | 3.8 |
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 is ranked #1700 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Wilderness Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Wilderness Elementary has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Wilderness Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wilderness Elementary has 67.2% math proficiency and 66.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- County Safety
- Elevated (858/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (540) 786-9817
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Spotsylvania County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 24,012
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,858
- District Rank
- #23 of 29
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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