Colonial Beach Elementary

Colonial Beach Elementary is a small PK–7 public school in Colonial Beach, VA, serving 367 students as part of Colonial Beach Public Schools. Unlike most neighboring elementary schools that end at 5th grade, it extends through 7th grade. The school serves a highly economically disadvantaged population — 92.1% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch — yet it has climbed from the bottom quarter of Virginia schools a decade ago to the 45th percentile today, ranking 606th out of 1,111 elementary schools.

The school's standout strengths are upper-grade math and science. Seventh grade math proficiency was 82.5% in 2025–2026, a 31-point advantage over the state average, and similar margins have held for four straight years. Fifth grade science also leads nearby schools: 78.8% proficient, compared to 44.1% at Potomac Elementary. The school outperforms more affluent neighbors like Potomac Elementary and King George Elementary in several subjects, despite spending far less per student. Most notably, economically disadvantaged students rank in the 77th percentile statewide — a four-star result showing the school is highly effective for the population it serves.

The main concern is early-grade performance. Third grade math proficiency was 57.9% versus 74.0% statewide, and reading was 55.3% versus 67.6% — both trailing every nearby school, including Sealston Elementary, King George Elementary, Potomac Elementary, and Washington District Elementary. Yet students match or exceed state averages by 5th grade, suggesting either a recent shift in early instruction or an effective acceleration model in grades 4–5. Chronic absenteeism has also improved dramatically, dropping from 29.6% to 13.7% — now below the state average. With lower per-student spending ($5,715) and larger class sizes than neighbors, Colonial Beach Elementary is achieving solid results, and early literacy and numeracy remain the clearest areas for growth.