Locust Grove Elementary

Locust Grove Elementary is a grades 3–5 elementary school in Locust Grove, Virginia, serving 519 students as part of Orange County Public Schools, and sits adjacent to Locust Grove Primary (PK–2) to form the PK–5 pathway for the attendance area. The school serves a high-need population: roughly 70% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. However, its academic standing has declined steadily over the past decade, falling from the 70th percentile in 2016–2017 to its current 24th percentile ranking (843rd out of 1,111 Virginia elementary schools) with a 1-star rating.

Academically, Locust Grove Elementary trails state averages in nearly every subject and grade. Most concerning is 5th grade: math proficiency is just 55.3% vs. 72.4% statewide, science is 60.5% vs. 68.8%, and reading is 63.8% vs. 72.4%. Fourth grade scores are stronger, with reading at 71.7% and math at 68.5%, though both still fall short of state averages. Outcomes vary significantly by student group, with African American students performing well in 2024–2025 (82nd percentile statewide), while other groups — including White, multiracial, disabled, and military-connected students — rank in the bottom 5th percentile. Chronic absenteeism is a genuine bright spot at 11.1%, well below the district average of 18.3% and the state average of 14.8%.

The contrast with Lightfoot Elementary, a similarly high-poverty school in the same district, is telling: Lightfoot outperforms Locust Grove in every academic measure (5th grade math 78.3% vs. 55.3%) and spends more per student ($8,604 vs. $7,384). Locust Grove's per-pupil spending is the lowest among all nearby schools — $1,000 to $3,700 less than its peers. Despite these challenges, the school has pockets of strength: improving attendance, strong 3rd and 4th grade reading in 2024–2025, and demonstrated ability to produce high outcomes for certain student groups. These bright spots suggest a foundation to build on, but significant, targeted improvement is needed.