Virginia is the #17 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,256,693 students across the 2,138 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are 997 private schools, serving 145,277 students). 90% 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
2,138 Schools
100,525 Schools
# Students
1,256,693 Students
49,339,277 Students
# Teachers
92,235 Teachers
3,180,552 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
466,525 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
97,881 Students
2,807,520 Students
% Asian Students
8%
6%
# Hispanic Students
252,695 Students
14,955,622 Students
% Hispanic Students
20%
30%
# Black Students
267,735 Students
7,274,090 Students
% Black Students
21%
15%
# White Students
544,837 Students
21,014,271 Students
% White Students
44%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
1,936 Students
196,971 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
88,290 Students
2,588,398 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)
$15,513
Spending / Student (24-25)
$15,268
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?
2,138 public schools are located in Virginia.
What percentage of students in Virginia go to public school?
90% 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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