Summary
Bellwood Elementary is a PK-5 public school in North Chesterfield, VA, serving 493 students as part of Chesterfield County Public Schools, a district ranked 73rd out of 131 in Virginia. The school has experienced a dramatic decline over the past decade: in 2015-16, it ranked in the 73rd percentile statewide with a 4-star rating, but by 2025-26, it had fallen to the 2nd percentile with 0 stars—one of the lowest-ranked elementary schools in Virginia.
Academically, Bellwood trails its district and state averages by wide margins in every subject. For example, only 37.2% of 3rd graders passed reading, compared to 66.2% districtwide and 67.6% statewide. Math proficiency ranges from 41.6% to 52.3% across grades 3-5, while district averages sit near 73%. Subgroup outcomes are also among the weakest in the state, ranking in the 1st to 7th percentile for male, female, Hispanic, African American, low-income, and English learner students. Chronic absenteeism has consistently exceeded district and state levels, reaching 19.2% in 2024-25 compared to 16.1% districtwide and 14.8% statewide.
Notably, nearby schools serving similar student populations achieve far better results. O.B. Gates Elementary, with the same 77% free/reduced lunch rate, ranks in the 70th percentile with 5th grade reading at 82.2% proficiency. C.C. Wells Elementary ranks in the 42nd percentile, and Hopkins Road Elementary—just 3.55 miles away—has a 10th percentile rank with lower chronic absenteeism (13.3%) and higher proficiency across most subjects. Bellwood spends $10,504 per student, more than most nearby schools, and maintains an 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio, yet these investments have not translated into improved outcomes, as the school's rank has continued to fall during a period of rising spending.
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