Summary:
Stanley Elementary is the only public school in Stanley, Virginia, serving 337 students in grades PK through 5 as part of Page County Public Schools. Because it is the city's sole school, its results also represent the city's overall picture. This is a high-poverty school, with 90.5% of students eligible for free/reduced lunch, and its statewide rank has declined steeply over three years—from the 48th percentile (583rd in Virginia) in 2023–24 to the 23rd percentile (854th) in 2025–26, a drop of 271 places. The district itself remains a mid-tier system ranked 62nd of 131 districts in the state.
Academically, Stanley Elementary consistently trails both its district and the state by roughly 5–10 percentage points. Average SOL proficiency for 2025–26 was 61.8% at the school, versus 67.0% for the district and 71.6% for the state. Reading is a notable weakness: 3rd-grade reading proficiency was just 49.12% compared to 67.61% statewide, and 5th-grade reading was 50.98% versus 72.42% statewide. Chronic absenteeism is elevated at 20.4%, above the district's 18.4% and the state's 14.8%. The school does maintain a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.4 and spends $8,979 per student, but these resources have not yet translated into average-level outcomes.
There are encouraging signs despite the overall trend. In 2025–26, 4th-grade Virginia Studies exceeded the state average (74% vs. 70.52%), and 4th-grade math also beat the district. Several grades improved year over year, including 3rd-grade reading (+7.45 points), 3rd-grade math (+7.89 points), and 4th-grade reading (+7.75 points). However, the strong 5th-grade cohort from the prior year saw sharp declines, with 5th-grade reading dropping 21.15 points and math falling 6.75 points. For parents, Stanley Elementary is a high-need school facing significant challenges in literacy and absenteeism, but recent gains in lower grades and a clear strength in Virginia Studies provide a foundation to build on.
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