Summary
Sharon C. McAuliffe Elementary is a K–5 school in Woodbridge, VA, serving 379 students in Prince William County Public Schools, where roughly 70% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch, yet the school has earned a 3-star rating and ranks in the 63rd percentile statewide (411 of 1,111 schools) for 2025–2026. Despite the high-need context, McAuliffe exceeds Virginia state proficiency averages in most subjects tested — including 3rd and 4th grade math (about 86% proficient), 5th grade science (78.7%), and 5th grade reading (80.3%). The main exceptions are 4th grade reading (68.6%, below the district's 77%) and 5th grade math (75.4%, slightly below the district average), suggesting targeted support is needed in those areas.
What really sets McAuliffe apart is its performance among historically underserved student groups. Its African American, Hispanic, English Language Learner, and low-income students all rank in the 73rd to 80th percentiles statewide, earning strong subgroup ratings that outpace many nearby schools. For example, River Oaks Elementary (2.2 miles away) has similar poverty rates but ranks 849th in Virginia, while Enterprise Elementary (0.9 miles away) ranks 778th. McAuliffe also beats these schools in most tested subjects. The school's chronic absenteeism rate has dropped dramatically from 21.5% to just 7.9% in two years — now better than the district (13.8%) and state (14.8%) averages, and on par with higher-ranked neighbors like Ashland Elementary.
McAuliffe spends about $14,990 per student and maintains a low 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio, which may help stabilize results in a high-poverty setting. However, spending alone doesn't guarantee top rankings — Sonnie Penn Elementary spends roughly $11,000 per student, serves a similar poverty rate, and ranks considerably higher at 191st. Still, McAuliffe's trajectory is clear: it has climbed from the 16th percentile in 2015–2016 to the mid-60s in recent years, a sign that focused attendance efforts and instructional improvements are paying off. For parents weighing options in the Woodbridge area, McAuliffe stands out as a school that delivers solid, equitable results despite significant demographic challenges.
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