Virginia is the #17 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,257,051 students across the 2,135 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 1,034 private schools, serving 151,236 students). 89% of all K-12 students in Virginia attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Virginia is 68%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 70%.
The top-ranked public schools in Virginia are Old Donation School, Haycock Elementary School, and Wolftrap Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 57%, with the majority being Black or Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 14:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Virginia (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Old Donation School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥99% | Reading: ≥99%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Grades: 2-8
4633 Honeygrove Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
(757) 648-3240
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
(757) 648-3240
Rank: #22.
Haycock Elementary School
(Math: 97% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 97% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
6616 Haycock Rd
Falls Church, VA 22043
(703) 531-4000
Falls Church, VA 22043
(703) 531-4000
Rank: #33.
Wolftrap Elementary School
(Math: 95% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 96% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
1903 Beulah Rd
Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 319-7300
Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 319-7300
Rank: #44.
Sangster Elementary School
(Math: 98% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 98% (Top 1%)
Reading: 94% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
7420 Reservation Dr
Springfield, VA 22153
(703) 644-8200
Springfield, VA 22153
(703) 644-8200
Rank: #5 - 75. - 7.
Colvin Run Elementary School
(Math: 95% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 94% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
1400 Trap Rd.
Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 757-3000
Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 757-3000
Rank: #5 - 75. - 7.
Kent Gardens Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 95% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 94% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
1717 Melbourne Dr
Mc Lean, VA 22101
(703) 394-5600
Mc Lean, VA 22101
(703) 394-5600
Rank: #5 - 75. - 7.
Williamsburg Middle School
(Math: 95% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-8
3600 N Harrison St
Arlington, VA 22207
(703) 228-5450
Arlington, VA 22207
(703) 228-5450
Rank: #88.
Poplar Tree Elementary School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 93% (Top 5%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
13440 Melville Ln
Chantilly, VA 20151
(703) 633-7400
Chantilly, VA 20151
(703) 633-7400
Rank: #99.
Gayton Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 92% (Top 5%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
12481 Church Rd
Henrico, VA 23233
(804) 360-0820
Henrico, VA 23233
(804) 360-0820
Rank: #1010.
St. Paul Elementary School
(Math: 97% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 97% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-8
3200 Deacon Drive
Saint Paul, VA 24283
(276) 762-5941
Saint Paul, VA 24283
(276) 762-5941
Overview
This State (VA)
US
# Schools
2,135 Schools
100,274 Schools
# Students
1,257,051 Students
49,273,234 Students
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
Gender %
# Teachers
92,248 Teachers
3,176,846 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (VA)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
68%
41%
Showing 2011–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
73%
47%
Showing 2012–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
63%
43%
Graduation Rate
88.8%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 13-year historical data
Eligible for Free Lunch
57%
50%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 32-year historical data
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
5%
Showing 2015–2025. View full 27-year historical data
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.72
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. View full 33-year historical data
# American Indian Students
3,291 Students
465,607 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
97,902 Students
2,805,284 Students
% Asian Students
8%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 33-year historical data
# Hispanic Students
252,665 Students
14,933,108 Students
% Hispanic Students
20%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 33-year historical data
# Black Students
267,760 Students
7,261,526 Students
% Black Students
21%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 33-year historical data
# White Students
545,139 Students
20,989,144 Students
% White Students
44%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 33-year historical data
# Hawaiian Students
1,937 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
88,330 Students
2,585,770 Students
% of Two or more races Students
7%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 15-year historical data
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (VA)
Statewide Total Revenue
$23,109 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Statewide Total Spending
$22,838 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Revenue / Student
$18,383
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Spending / Student
$18,168
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Best Virginia Public Schools by County (2026-27)
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Virginia?
The top-ranked public schools in Virginia include Old Donation School, Haycock Elementary School, and Wolftrap Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Virginia?
2,135 public schools are located in Virginia.
What percentage of students in Virginia go to public school?
89% of all K-12 students in Virginia attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Virginia?
Minority enrollment in Virginia is 57%, with the majority being Black or Hispanic.
Which public schools in Virginia are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Virginia include: Page Middle School vs. Peasley Middle School, Eastern View High School vs. Culpeper County High School, Thomas Walker High School vs. Lee High School
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