For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 9,420 students in Dumfries, VA (there are 6 private schools, serving 858 private students). 90% of all K-12 students in Dumfries, VA are educated in public schools (compared to the VA state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Dumfries, VA are A. Henderson Elementary School, John F. Pattie Sr. Elementary School and Covington-harper Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dumfries, VA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 66% (versus the Virginia public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 68% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Dumfries have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Virginia public schools.
Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is more than the Virginia public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Dumfries, VA (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
A. Henderson Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3799 Waterway Dr
Dumfries, VA 22025
(703) 670-2885
Dumfries, VA 22025
(703) 670-2885
Gr: PK-5 | 815 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #22.
John F. Pattie Sr. Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
16125 Dumfries Road
Dumfries, VA 22025
(703) 670-3173
Dumfries, VA 22025
(703) 670-3173
Gr: PK-5 | 906 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #33.
Covington-harper Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2500 River Heritage Blvd.
Dumfries, VA 22026
(571) 466-4500
Dumfries, VA 22026
(571) 466-4500
Gr: PK-5 | 1,025 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #44.
Montclair Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4920 Tallowwood Dr
Dumfries, VA 22025
(703) 730-1072
Dumfries, VA 22025
(703) 730-1072
Gr: PK-5 | 588 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #55.
Potomac High School
Magnet School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3401 Panther Pride Drive
Dumfries, VA 22026
(703) 441-4200
Dumfries, VA 22026
(703) 441-4200
Gr: 9-12 | 2,197 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #66.
Mary Williams Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3100 Panther Pride Drive
Dumfries, VA 22026
(703) 445-8376
Dumfries, VA 22026
(703) 445-8376
Gr: PK-5 | 669 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #77.
Swans Creek Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
17700 Wayside Dr.
Dumfries, VA 22026
(703) 445-0930
Dumfries, VA 22026
(703) 445-0930
Gr: PK-5 | 619 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #88.
Dumfries Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3990 Cameron St
Dumfries, VA 22026
(703) 221-3101
Dumfries, VA 22026
(703) 221-3101
Gr: PK-5 | 441 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #99.
Potomac Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3130 Panther Pride Drive
Dumfries, VA 22026
(703) 221-4996
Dumfries, VA 22026
(703) 221-4996
Gr: 6-8 | 931 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: n/an/a
Potomac Shores Middle School
Magnet School
17851 Woods View Drive
Dumfries, VA 22026
(703) 291-3590
Dumfries, VA 22026
(703) 291-3590
Gr: 6-8 | 1,229 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Dumfries, VA?
The top-ranked public schools in Dumfries, VA include A. Henderson Elementary School, John F. Pattie Sr. Elementary School and Covington-harper Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Dumfries?
10 public schools are located in Dumfries.
What percentage of students in Dumfries go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Dumfries are educated in public schools (compared to the VA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Dumfries?
Dumfries public schools minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is more than the Virginia public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Dumfries are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Dumfries include: Montclair Elementary School vs. A. Henderson Elementary School, John F. Pattie Sr. Elementary School vs. A. Henderson Elementary School
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.
