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Lowes Island Elementary

Q: Is Lowes Island Elementary a good school?

Lowes Island Elementary ranks 220 th of 1111 Virginia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

220^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,111 Virginia Elementary Schools

Better than 80% of Virginia elementary schools

Summary

Lowes Island Elementary is a highly rated public school in Sterling, VA, serving 528 students in grades PK–5 as part of Loudoun County Public Schools. For the 2025–2026 school year, it ranks in the 80th percentile of Virginia elementary schools—a strong performance that places it as a clear academic leader among its nearby peers, including Algonkian Elementary and Horizon Elementary.

Academically, Lowes Island consistently outperforms state and district averages on Virginia SOL assessments, particularly in math and early-grade reading, where proficiency rates run 10–17 percentage points above the state average. The school also stands out for its exceptionally low chronic absenteeism rate of 6.5%—roughly half the district rate and less than half the state rate—indicating a highly engaged student body and strong family-school connection. While its student-teacher ratio of 12.5 is higher than some nearby schools, the strong outcomes suggest effective instructional leadership. However, the school's ranking has slid from its peak of 46th statewide in 2020–2021 to 220th in 2025–2026, shifting from an elite status to a strong one. Subgroup performance is also uneven: Asian and female students perform very well, but Hispanic students and students with disabilities show relative weaknesses, with disabled students in the 40th percentile statewide—a clear equity gap.

The school's spending per student has risen steeply to over $20,000 annually, which may be supporting a recent jump in outcomes for low-income students, who now rank in the 80th percentile statewide. With a lower poverty rate (21.4% free/reduced lunch) than many neighboring LCPS schools, Lowes Island benefits from a distinct demographic context, yet it still outpaces demographically similar schools like Algonkian. If the school can address its subgroup gaps and inconsistent VA Studies scores while maintaining its stellar attendance, it is well-positioned to climb back toward the top 100 in Virginia.

528

Students ?

12.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$19,546

Per pupil spending ?

21.4%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

20755 Whitewater Dr
Sterling, VA 20165

(571) 434-4450

District: Loudoun County Public Schools

Students who attend Lowes Island Elementary usually attend:

Middle:

Seneca Ridge Middle

Racial breakdown:

White:

50.8%

Asian:

17.6%

Hispanic:

17.0%

See top rated Virginia elementary schools

Compare Lowes Island Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 89th percentile in 2016 → 80th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Virginia average (84% vs 72% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 20% of Virginia elementary schools

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 9 percentile points since 2016

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school84%

District avg81%

Virginia avg72%

220^th of 1,111

Virginia public elementary schools ?

Top 20%▼ down 9 pts since 2016

From top 11% (2016) to top 20% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

25^th of 61Elementary Schools in the Loudoun County Public Schools

18^th of 131Loudoun County Public Schools among Virginia districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	78.5	220 of 1111	80.2%	★★★★☆
2025	77.1	261 of 1110	76.5%	★★★★☆
2024	81.1	198 of 1114	82.2%	★★★★☆
2023	86.8	93 of 1114	91.7%	★★★★★
2022	87.5	94 of 1109	91.5%	★★★★★
2021	91.9	46 of 1103	95.8%	★★★★★
2019	85.8	68 of 1105	93.8%	★★★★★
2018	87.4	56 of 1097	94.9%	★★★★★
2017	82.9	110 of 1099	90.0%	★★★★★
2016	82.0	123 of 1096	88.8%	★★★★☆
2015	77.5	185 of 1100	83.2%	★★★★☆
2014	87.6	51 of 1110	95.4%	★★★★★
2013	85.3	86 of 1120	92.3%	★★★★★
2012	84.1	72 of 1117	93.6%	★★★★★
2011	84.7	47 of 1117	95.8%	★★★★★
2010	81.8	66 of 1113	94.1%	★★★★★
2009	81.2	87 of 1082	92.0%	★★★★★
2008	81.0	85 of 1081	92.1%	★★★★★
2007	81.1	106 of 1083	90.2%	★★★★★
2006	80.9	96 of 1071	91.0%	★★★★★
2005	84.7	62 of 1062	94.2%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	79.1	27 of 246	89.0%	★★★★☆
2025	68.6	81 of 249	67.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	69.3	74 of 238	68.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	76.0	43 of 230	81.3%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	49.6	250 of 420	40.5%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	80.1	175 of 1100	84.1%	★★★★☆
2025	73.7	282 of 1096	74.3%	★★★★☆
2024	79.8	187 of 1098	83.0%	★★★★☆
2023	86.4	84 of 1100	92.4%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	57.3	264 of 619	57.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	68.5	174 of 606	71.3%	★★★★☆
2024	62.0	219 of 580	62.2%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	72.6	205 of 1040	80.3%	★★★★☆
2025	59.2	414 of 1046	60.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	56.7	469 of 1036	54.7%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	73.6	282 of 1099	74.3%	★★★★☆
2025	77.8	233 of 1093	78.7%	★★★★☆
2024	78.7	209 of 1101	81.0%	★★★★☆
2023	84.5	120 of 1093	89.0%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	59.2	122 of 271	55.0%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	66.2	334 of 974	65.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	62.0	389 of 973	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	65.0	351 of 979	64.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	77.6	151 of 984	84.7%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Asian (2026)89th percentile+9 vs school

Female (2026)84th percentile+4 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)80th percentile~ school

Male (2026)74th percentile-6 vs school

White (2026)66th percentile-14 vs school

Hispanic (2026)57th percentile-23 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)55th percentile-22 vs school

Disabled (2026)40th percentile-40 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics87%+13 vs state

English Reading83%+12 vs state

VA Studies83%+12 vs state

Science78%+9 vs state

5.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★2

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Wednesday, June 10, 2015

This was our first school year at Lowes Island Elementary school, and I am truly pleased and satisfied with the quality of education and amount of parent involvement at this school. We've all heard the saying, "It takes a village." Well, that is truly in place at Lowes. I am amazed at the amount of parent volunteers at the school and in the classroom week after week. Having so much involvement really makes a difference for everyone. It's so much easier to take turns amongst the parents as opposed to being one of three usual suspects in the classroom. On a different note, the school is so clean and well run. That means a lot to me as a parent for my child to be spending their days in clean environment as well as educational. Bottom line, Lowes is truly a model school from the principal, specials, teachers, parents, and students. Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, May 1, 2015

This is my son's 6th year at LIES, he is finishing 5th grade and my younger son is going to start it this Fall. We have had nothing but positive experience with this school! We absolutely love it and we can't think of a better place for our kids to start their education, we are very lucky to be living in this area near this great school! The teachers and office personnel are absolutely wonderful, helpful, caring, attentive! I would have given this school 6 stars if I could! The principal is great, always very friendly, remembers students by their names (!), kids love him! Highly recommend this school! Close Quote

Schools Near Lowes Island Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				SOL Algebra I (2026)	SOL Mathematics (2026)				SOL Science (2026)	SOL English Reading (2026)				SOL VA Studies (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	SOL Algebra I 6th Grade	SOL Mathematics 3rd Grade	SOL Mathematics 4th Grade	SOL Mathematics 5th Grade	SOL Mathematics 6th Grade	SOL Science 5th Grade	SOL English Reading 3rd Grade	SOL English Reading 4th Grade	SOL English Reading 5th Grade	SOL English Reading 6th Grade	SOL VA Studies 4th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Lowes Island Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	20755 Whitewater Dr	Sterling	20165	Loudoun County	Loudoun County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(571) 434-4450	528	42	12.5	21.4%	268 (50.8%)	28 (5.3%)	90 (17.0%)	93 (17.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	49 (9.3%)	78.5	220^th of 1111 public elementary schools	80.2%		77.1	261^st of 1110 public elementary schools	76.5%	41		91.0	83.0	86.1		77.8	85.4	83.0	80.6		82.6	$19,546	$81	$19,465
Meadowland Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	729 S Sugarland Run Dr	Sterling	20164	Loudoun County	Loudoun County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(571) 434-4440	403	39	10.2	84.9%	116 (28.8%)	23 (5.7%)	191 (47.4%)	44 (10.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (7.2%)	42.4	707^th of 1111 public elementary schools	36.4%		41	713^th of 1110 public elementary schools	35.8%	6		83.3	53.5	60.0		75.0	70.4	65.5	61.7		76.5	$22,971	$303	$22,668
Sugarland Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	65 Sugarland Run Dr	Sterling	20164	Loudoun County	Loudoun County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(571) 434-4460	502	54	9.3	—	46 (9.2%)	36 (7.2%)	342 (68.1%)	59 (11.8%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	17 (3.4%)	29.7	846^th of 1111 public elementary schools	23.9%		29.6	832^nd of 1110 public elementary schools	25.0%	14		60.8	71.4	68.4		66.7	47.2	51.2	61.5		75.0	$23,689	$739	$22,950
Horizon Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	46665 Broadmore Dr	Sterling	20165	Loudoun County	Loudoun County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(571) 434-3260	510	43	11.7	32.0%	222 (43.5%)	29 (5.7%)	117 (22.9%)	101 (19.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (7.8%)	72.9	304^th of 1111 public elementary schools	72.6%		70.1	355^th of 1110 public elementary schools	68.0%	51		75.3	84.0	87.5		81.9	68.4	80.3	88.9		88.7	$19,280	$463	$18,817
Potowmack Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	46465 Esterbrook Pkwy	Sterling	20165	Loudoun County	Loudoun County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(571) 434-3270	568	52	10.8	85.2%	147 (25.9%)	49 (8.6%)	278 (48.9%)	55 (9.7%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (6.3%)	36.4	770^th of 1111 public elementary schools	30.7%		40.4	716^th of 1110 public elementary schools	35.5%	54		67.5	85.3	54.8		52.4	60.8	69.6	60.7		85.7	$22,753	$251	$22,502
Rolling Ridge Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	500 E Frederick Dr	Sterling	20164	Loudoun County	Loudoun County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(571) 434-4540	562	55	10.2	—	91 (16.2%)	42 (7.5%)	343 (61.0%)	69 (12.3%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	15 (2.7%)	9.9	1028^th of 1111 public elementary schools	7.5%		12.3	1006^th of 1110 public elementary schools	9.4%	22		52.5	57.7	36.0		40.0	49.4	56.3	46.7		59.0	$21,043	$498	$20,545
Algonkian Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	20196 Carter Court	Sterling	20165	Loudoun County	Loudoun County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(571) 434-3240	457	37	12.2	27.6%	267 (58.4%)	21 (4.6%)	92 (20.1%)	35 (7.7%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (8.8%)	77.5	238^th of 1111 public elementary schools	78.6%		83.6	153^rd of 1110 public elementary schools	86.2%	85		89.2	80.3	83.0		87.2	75.3	85.2	86.2		78.8	$21,818	$550	$21,268
Countryside Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	20624 Countryside Blvd.	Sterling	20165	Loudoun County	Loudoun County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(571) 434-3250	648	57	11.2	51.4%	231 (35.6%)	79 (12.2%)	218 (33.6%)	79 (12.2%)	4 (0.6%)	1 (0.2%)	36 (5.6%)	49.8	612^th of 1111 public elementary schools	44.9%		47.8	629^th of 1110 public elementary schools	43.3%	17		78.9	69.6	82.0		63.4	68.8	62.4	72.3		72.5	$18,749	$361	$18,388
Forestville Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	1085 Utterback Store Rd	Great Falls	22066	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 404-6000	571	36	15.7	6.1%	313 (54.8%)	17 (3.0%)	48 (8.4%)	145 (25.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	47 (8.2%)	90.3	41^st of 1111 public elementary schools	96.3%		93.6	13^th of 1110 public elementary schools	98.8%	28	100.0	94.3	96.6	85.4	93.5	81.0	84.3	95.4	96.4	96.4		$11,911	$236	$11,674
Sterling Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	200 W Church Rd	Sterling	20164	Loudoun County	Loudoun County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(571) 434-4580	430	45	9.6	—	47 (10.9%)	29 (6.7%)	277 (64.4%)	58 (13.5%)	2 (0.5%)	3 (0.7%)	14 (3.3%)	24.7	900^th of 1111 public elementary schools	19.0%		36.1	755^th of 1110 public elementary schools	32.0%	145		59.0	70.2	53.6		46.4	48.7	70.8	53.7		93.3	$22,289	$488	$21,801

Frequently Asked Questions about Lowes Island Elementary

What district is Lowes Island Elementary in?

Loudoun County Public Schools

What schools do graduates of Lowes Island Elementary attend?

Students who attend Lowes Island Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Seneca Ridge Middle

What is the racial makeup of Lowes Island Elementary?

Students at Lowes Island Elementary are 51% White, 18% Asian, 17% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 5% African American.

How many students attend Lowes Island Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 528 students attended Lowes Island Elementary.

Is Lowes Island Elementary a good school?

Lowes Island Elementary ranks 220^th of 1111 Virginia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Rate Lowes Island Elementary!

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Latest Virginia data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataNewOct 12, 2026

2025–26 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesNewOct 12, 2026

2025–26 SOL test scoresAug 25, 2026

2021–22 school spending dataFeb 16, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Virginia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.