Needs Improvement
#1723 of 1,850 schools in VA
Willis A. Jenkins Elementary
Elementary School · Newport News City Public Schools
80 Menchville Road, Newport News, VA 23602
Enrollment
472
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
472
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newport News
#38 of 39
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#1,029 of 1,147
In district
#39 of 40
Newport News City Public Schools
About Willis A. Jenkins Elementary
Willis A. Jenkins Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Newport News, Virginia, offering education from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The school serves 472 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.7:1 and employs 30 full-time equivalent teachers.
Located on Menchville Road, the school is situated in a mid-size city setting. Willis A. Jenkins Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and ranks as the 1754th best elementary school out of 1856 schools in Virginia, placing it in the 6th percentile.
Academically, the school shows that around half of its students are proficient or above in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. While the academic performance suggests room for improvement, Willis A. Jenkins Elementary focuses on student development and provides a supportive learning environment for young learners.
The school's location in Newport News offers easy access to city resources and community activities that can complement students' education outside of the classroom.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Willis A. Jenkins Elementary — Students at Willis A. Jenkins Elementary score 51% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.7%
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 Willis A. Jenkins Elementary Compares
See how Willis A. Jenkins Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 53% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 49% (2025).
Location
80 Menchville Road, Newport News, VA 23602
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Willis A. Jenkins Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hidenwood Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is George J. McIntosh Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Stoney Run Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newport News, see our Newport News schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| DENBIGH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newport News | 0.6 mi | 6.8 |
| FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DENBIGH CHILD DEVT CENTER AND Newport News | 0.9 mi | — |
| Menchville High Newport News | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| B.C. Charles Elementary Newport News | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| T. Ryland Sanford Elementary Newport News | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Richard T. Yates Elementary Newport News | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Denbigh High Newport News | 2.0 mi | 6.3 |
| L.F. Palmer Elementary Newport News | 1.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Kiln Creek Elementary Newport News | 2.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Stoney Run Elementary Newport News | 2.3 mi | 6.6 |
| HAMPTON ROADS ACADEMY Newport News | 2.2 mi | 5.9 |
| George J. McIntosh Elementary Newport News | 2.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle Newport News | 2.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Hidenwood Elementary Newport News | 3.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Knollwood Meadows Elementary Newport News | 2.7 mi | 3.9 |
| DENBIGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Newport News | 3.2 mi | — |
| HAMPTON ROADS INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Newport News | 2.7 mi | 5.7 |
| David A. Dutrow Elementary Newport News | 3.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Mary Passage Middle Newport News | 3.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Richneck Elementary Newport News | 3.4 mi | 3.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 23602 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,487
Median Home Value
$270,200
Median Rent
$1,446/mo
Population
42,699
College Educated
36.2%
Homeownership
51.6%
Avg Commute
24.4 min
Poverty Rate
14.1%
Median Age
34.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Willis A. Jenkins Elementary has a median household income of $72,487. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $270,200, with a median rent of $1,446/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Burnley-Moran Elementary Charlottesville, VA | 3.5 |
| Central Elementary Amherst, VA | 3.5 |
| Chase City Elementary Chase City, VA | 3.5 |
| Churchville Elementary Churchville, VA | 3.5 |
| Douglass Park Elementary Portsmouth, VA | 3.5 |
| Malibu Elementary Virginia Beach, VA | 3.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Willis A. Jenkins Elementary
What grades does Willis A. Jenkins Elementary serve?
Willis A. Jenkins Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Willis A. Jenkins Elementary?
Willis A. Jenkins Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 472 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Willis A. Jenkins Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Willis A. Jenkins Elementary is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Willis A. Jenkins Elementary rank in VA?
Willis A. Jenkins Elementary is ranked #1723 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Willis A. Jenkins Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Willis A. Jenkins Elementary has a composite rating of 3.5 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 Willis A. Jenkins Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Willis A. Jenkins Elementary has 50.0% math proficiency and 50.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Willis A. Jenkins Elementary a charter school?
No, Willis A. Jenkins Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Willis A. Jenkins Elementary a Title I school?
No, Willis A. Jenkins Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Willis A. Jenkins Elementary?
97.7% of students at Willis A. Jenkins 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 (3,173/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newport News). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 472
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Newport News city
- Phone
- (757) 881-5400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newport News City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 26,183
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,082
- District Rank
- #39 of 40
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.