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Richard T. Yates Elementary

Q: Is Richard T. Yates Elementary a good school?

Richard T. Yates Elementary ranks 788 th of 1111 Virginia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

788^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,111 Virginia Elementary Schools

Better than 29% of Virginia elementary schools

Summary

Richard T. Yates Elementary is a PK–5 school in Newport News, VA, serving 448 students as part of Newport News City Public Schools, where nearly every child (97.77%) qualifies for free/reduced lunch. Yates currently holds a 1-star rating and ranks in the 29th percentile of Virginia elementary schools — putting it in the middle of its immediate neighborhood cluster. It ranks ahead of nearby Riverside Elementary, Joseph H. Saunders Elementary, Hidenwood Elementary, Willis A. Jenkins Elementary, and T. Ryland Sanford Elementary, but trails Deer Park Elementary by a wide margin.

Despite its challenges, Yates beats its district average in several subjects. In 2025-26, 3rd grade reading reached 70% proficiency — above both the district (59.6%) and state (67.61%) averages. Fifth grade math (70.42%) and science (67.61%) also topped district averages. The school has shown real improvement in attendance: chronic absenteeism dropped to 14.4% in 2024-25, essentially matching the state average and beating many neighbors like T. Ryland Sanford Elementary (22.0%) and Hidenwood Elementary (21.2%). However, Yates has the highest student-teacher ratio (22.4) among all nearby schools, and 4th grade scores dipped noticeably in the latest year after a strong prior year — suggesting cohort variation rather than a school-wide pattern.

Early reading is Yates' strongest suit; the school has outperformed its district in 3rd grade reading for four straight years. Still, there's significant room to grow. Deer Park Elementary, a same-district school with similar demographics, ranks in the 95th percentile and posts dramatically higher scores. Yates spends about $9,446 per student — near the middle of its peer group — while carrying the largest class sizes. With improving attendance and a proven early-literacy track record, Yates has clear strengths to build on, but closing the gap to standout schools like Deer Park remains its biggest challenge.

448

Students ?

22.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,060

Per pupil spending ?

97.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

73 Maxwell Ln
Newport News, VA 23606

(757) 881-5450

District: Newport News City Public Schools

Students who attend Richard T. Yates Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle
High:	Menchville High

Racial breakdown:

White:

39.7%

African American:

37.9%

Hispanic:

9.6%

See top rated Virginia elementary schools

Compare Richard T. Yates Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 26th percentile in 2016 → 29th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Virginia average (65% vs 72% meeting standards)

!VA Studies scores 16 pts below the Virginia average

!Large classes — about 22 students per teacher

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school65%

District avg61%

Virginia avg72%

788^th of 1,111

Virginia public elementary schools ?

Bottom 29%▲ up 4 pts since 2016

From bottom 26% (2016) to bottom 29% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

9^th of 24Elementary Schools in the Newport News City Public Schools

105^th of 131Newport News City 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	35.0	788 of 1111	29.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	33.6	790 of 1110	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	36.1	772 of 1114	30.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	23.0	907 of 1114	18.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	27.3	870 of 1109	21.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	25.0	852 of 1103	22.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	30.7	873 of 1105	21.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	33.5	841 of 1097	23.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	35.2	828 of 1099	24.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	36.2	816 of 1096	25.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	22.7	956 of 1100	13.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	6.5	1086 of 1110	2.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	34.0	836 of 1120	25.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	17.8	1043 of 1117	6.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	32.4	912 of 1117	18.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	30.2	950 of 1113	14.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	42.9	742 of 1082	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2008	67.0	323 of 1081	70.1%	★★★★☆
2007	60.7	424 of 1083	60.8%	★★★☆☆
2006	67.0	320 of 1071	70.1%	★★★★☆
2005	36.0	793 of 1062	25.3%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	26.6	492 of 591	16.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	19.7	508 of 579	12.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	22.4	510 of 588	13.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	11.7	535 of 579	7.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	28.5	858 of 1100	22.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	29.0	844 of 1096	23.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	27.0	867 of 1098	21.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	19.7	946 of 1100	14.0%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	47.3	344 of 619	44.4%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	34.9	747 of 1040	28.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	25.1	861 of 1046	17.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	25.8	843 of 1036	18.6%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	43.0	697 of 1099	36.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	37.0	753 of 1093	31.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	43.2	689 of 1101	37.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	27.1	869 of 1093	20.5%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	42.6	628 of 974	35.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	54.7	490 of 973	49.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	55.3	494 of 979	49.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	45.7	593 of 984	39.7%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Hispanic (2026)44th percentile+15 vs school

Male (2026)37th percentile+8 vs school

White (2026)36th percentile+6 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)28th percentile~ school

Female (2026)22nd percentile-7 vs school

African American (2026)17th percentile-12 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

Science68%~ state avg

English Reading66%-5 vs state

Mathematics66%-7 vs state

VA Studies54%-16 vs state

5.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

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1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, September 8, 2016

This school is simply amazing and my child loves it. The staff seems to really love what they do. Its almost like a tight knit family and that is always an A+ in my book. Close Quote

Schools Near Richard T. Yates 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 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/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	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 Mathematics 3rd Grade	SOL Mathematics 4th Grade	SOL Mathematics 5th Grade	SOL Science 5th Grade	SOL English Reading 3rd Grade	SOL English Reading 4th Grade	SOL English Reading 5th Grade	SOL VA Studies 4th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Richard T. Yates Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	73 Maxwell Ln	Newport News	23606	Newport News city	Newport News City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 881-5450	448	20	22.4	97.8%	178 (39.7%)	170 (37.9%)	43 (9.6%)	9 (2.0%)	5 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (9.6%)	35	788^th of 1111 public elementary schools	29.1%		33.6	790^th of 1110 public elementary schools	28.8%	2	71.3	57.8	70.4	67.6	70.0	61.1	68.1	54.4	$10,060	$521	$9,539
L.F. Palmer Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	100 Palmer Lane	Newport News	23602	Newport News city	Newport News City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 881-5000	465	26	17.8	98.3%	31 (6.7%)	190 (40.9%)	202 (43.4%)	5 (1.1%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (7.3%)	39.6	739^th of 1111 public elementary schools	33.5%		22.4	897^th of 1110 public elementary schools	19.2%	158	73.5	59.3	69.2	69.2	59.3	62.6	70.1	73.6	$11,728	$463	$11,265
Willis A. Jenkins Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	80 Menchville Road	Newport News	23602	Newport News city	Newport News City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 881-5400	507	27	18.7	100.0%	88 (17.4%)	274 (54.0%)	97 (19.1%)	12 (2.4%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	33 (6.5%)	25	893^rd of 1111 public elementary schools	19.6%		12.3	1005^th of 1110 public elementary schools	9.5%	112	67.6	55.3	53.7	68.7	59.2	55.3	65.7	56.5	$9,887	$666	$9,221
B.C. Charles Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	701 Menchville Road	Newport News	23602	Newport News city	Newport News City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 886-7750	388	19	20.4	99.7%	141 (36.3%)	158 (40.7%)	44 (11.3%)	5 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	39 (10.1%)	43.7	693^rd of 1111 public elementary schools	37.6%		35.1	770^th of 1110 public elementary schools	30.6%	77	75.7	74.3	62.5	62.5	72.5	71.6	65.8	63.5	$11,897	$569	$11,328
Hidenwood Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	501 Blount Point Rd	Newport News	23606	Newport News city	Newport News City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 591-4766	476	32	14.8	100.0%	107 (22.5%)	257 (54.0%)	54 (11.3%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	53 (11.1%)	23.8	909^th of 1111 public elementary schools	18.2%		19.7	930^th of 1110 public elementary schools	16.2%	21	70.7	58.0	62.1	61.5	51.2	60.2	63.6	51.1	$11,828	$913	$10,915
Deer Park Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	11541 Jefferson Ave	Newport News	23601	Newport News city	Newport News City Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(757) 591-7470	433	24	18.0	100.9%	101 (23.3%)	232 (53.6%)	41 (9.5%)	11 (2.5%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	46 (10.6%)	88.7	60^th of 1111 public elementary schools	94.6%		90.2	46^th of 1110 public elementary schools	95.9%	14	89.6	89.9	97.1	94.2	79.1	95.7	89.9	91.3	$10,432	$71	$10,361
Kiln Creek Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1501 Kiln Creek Pkwy	Newport News	23602	Newport News city	Newport News City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 886-7961	553	26	21.2	102.7%	90 (16.3%)	308 (55.7%)	89 (16.1%)	13 (2.4%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	50 (9.0%)	32.4	817^th of 1111 public elementary schools	26.5%		38.3	736^th of 1110 public elementary schools	33.7%	81	71.1	58.8	70.6	63.2	60.2	63.9	64.7	61.9	$10,887	$998	$9,890
Riverside Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1100 Country Club Road	Newport News	23606	Newport News city	Newport News City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 591-4740	506	25	20.2	99.0%	141 (27.9%)	230 (45.5%)	79 (15.6%)	9 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	46 (9.1%)	9.5	1032^nd of 1111 public elementary schools	7.1%		11	1016^th of 1110 public elementary schools	8.5%	16	44.4	49.3	47.0	45.8	47.2	58.2	58.0	48.5	$9,697	$190	$9,507
T. Ryland Sanford Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	480 Colony Road	Newport News	23602	Newport News city	Newport News City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 886-7778	498	27	18.4	99.0%	118 (23.7%)	209 (42.0%)	94 (18.9%)	18 (3.6%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	56 (11.2%)	33.7	806^th of 1111 public elementary schools	27.5%		30.8	818^th of 1110 public elementary schools	26.3%	12	55.8	67.4	60.3	73.1	54.7	74.4	71.8	54.8	$9,098	$295	$8,804
Joseph H. Saunders Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	853 Harpersville Rd	Newport News	23601	Newport News city	Newport News City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 591-4781	660	35	18.8	100.9%	97 (14.7%)	319 (48.3%)	185 (28.0%)	10 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	49 (7.4%)	12.2	1009^th of 1111 public elementary schools	9.2%		12.2	1007^th of 1110 public elementary schools	9.3%	2	63.4	49.6	48.5	46.6	45.5	55.9	45.2	59.5	$9,236	$766	$8,470

Frequently Asked Questions about Richard T. Yates Elementary

What district is Richard T. Yates Elementary in?

Newport News City Public Schools

What schools do graduates of Richard T. Yates Elementary attend?

Students who attend Richard T. Yates Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle
High : Menchville High

What is the racial makeup of Richard T. Yates Elementary?

Students at Richard T. Yates Elementary are 40% White, 38% African American, 10% Hispanic, 10% Two or more races, 2% Asian, 1% American Indian.

Is Richard T. Yates Elementary a good school?

Richard T. Yates Elementary ranks 788^th of 1111 Virginia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

How many students attend Richard T. Yates Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 448 students attended Richard T. Yates Elementary.

Rate Richard T. Yates 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.