Virginia is the #17 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,257,463 students across the 2,136 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are 1,040 private schools, serving 153,929 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)
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
2,136 Schools
100,428 Schools
# Students
1,257,463 Students
49,314,054 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
92,279 Teachers
3,179,657 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (VA)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
68%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
73%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
63%
43%
Graduation Rate
89%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
57%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.72
0.71
# American Indian Students
3,292 Students
466,026 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
97,906 Students
2,807,035 Students
% Asian Students
8%
6%
# Hispanic Students
252,760 Students
14,946,749 Students
% Hispanic Students
20%
30%
# Black Students
268,026 Students
7,271,196 Students
% Black Students
21%
15%
# White Students
545,165 Students
21,002,230 Students
% White Students
44%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
1,938 Students
196,946 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
88,349 Students
2,587,881 Students
% of Two or more races Students
7%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (VA)
Total Revenue (24-25)
$19,496 MM
Spending (24-25)
$19,187 MM
Revenue / Student (24-25)
$15,504
Spending / Student (24-25)
$15,258
Best Virginia Public Schools by County (2026)
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?
2,136 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, Thomas Walker High School vs. Lee High School, Bassett High School vs. Magna Vista High School
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