Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Frances W. McClenney Elementary

Public Grades PK, KG-5

1087^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,111 Virginia Elementary Schools

Better than 2% of Virginia elementary schools

Summary

Frances W. McClenney Elementary is a small, PK–5 school in Richmond, VA, serving 302 students and operating as part of Richmond City Public Schools — a district ranked in the bottom 10% of Virginia. The school itself ranks in the 2nd percentile statewide, placing it among the lowest-performing elementary schools in Virginia, with proficiency rates dramatically below district and state averages. For example, only 18.4% of 4th graders passed math in 2025–2026, compared to 54.9% across the district and 73.3% statewide. Reading proficiency hovers around 42–47% across grades, and science and social studies are even lower.

What makes this particularly striking is the comparison to nearby schools serving essentially identical populations. Linwood Holton Elementary, just 0.78 miles away, and William Fox Elementary both serve student bodies with roughly 100% free/reduced-price lunch eligibility, yet they outperform McClenney in nearly every subject by 30 to 60 percentage points. This shows that poverty alone does not explain the outcomes — school effectiveness plays a major role.

Another serious concern is chronic absenteeism. At 30.0% in 2024–2025, it is nearly double the state rate of 14.8% and far higher than the 7.1% and 8.1% rates at Holton and Fox. McClenney also spends more per student ($15,274) than any nearby school, yet has the largest class sizes (17.3 students per teacher). With test scores on a downward trajectory, rising absenteeism, and high spending not translating into smaller classes or better results, McClenney is a school in urgent need of focused intervention. Parents considering this school should weigh these factors carefully and explore the successful nearby options.

302

Students ?

17.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,544

Per pupil spending ?

99.0%

Directly certified for free meals (2024-25) ?

All students receive free meals (Community Eligibility, 2023-24)

3817 Chamberlayne Ave
Richmond, VA 23227-4196

(804) 780-8193

District: Richmond City Public Schools

Students who attend Frances W. McClenney Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Thomas H. Henderson Middle
High:	Franklin Military Academy
	John Marshall High
	Open High
	Richmond Community High

Racial breakdown:

African American:

87.4%

White:

4.3%

Two or more races:

4.0%

See top rated Virginia elementary schools

Compare Frances W. McClenney Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 19th percentile in 2016 → 2nd in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Virginia average (40% vs 72% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (2nd percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (28% vs 13% Virginia)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school40%

District avg52%

Virginia avg72%

1,087^th of 1,111

Virginia public elementary schools ?

Bottom 2%▼ down 17 pts since 2016

From bottom 19% (2016) to bottom 2% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

20^th of 26Elementary Schools in the Richmond City Public Schools

118^th of 131Richmond 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	3.4	1087 of 1111	2.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	2.2	1098 of 1110	1.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	8.8	1043 of 1114	6.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	19.2	945 of 1114	15.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	10.5	1019 of 1109	8.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	3.3	1086 of 1103	1.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	8.6	1059 of 1105	4.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	12.3	1023 of 1097	6.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	28.5	903 of 1099	17.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	29.2	890 of 1096	18.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	26.8	906 of 1100	17.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	23.7	972 of 1110	12.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	2.7	1111 of 1120	0.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	10.1	1087 of 1117	2.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	24.5	996 of 1117	10.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	46.9	700 of 1113	37.1%	★★☆☆☆
2009	61.4	407 of 1082	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2008	51.9	585 of 1081	45.9%	★★☆☆☆
2007	69.4	290 of 1083	73.2%	★★★★☆
2006	41.9	744 of 1071	30.5%	★★☆☆☆
2005	70.5	263 of 1062	75.2%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	12.2	555 of 591	6.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	9.3	557 of 579	3.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	24.5	492 of 588	16.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	39.3	400 of 579	30.9%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	5.1	1073 of 1100	2.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	9.6	1025 of 1096	6.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	16.4	967 of 1098	11.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	25.8	885 of 1100	19.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	10.7	993 of 1040	4.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	8.0	1020 of 1046	2.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	18.7	912 of 1036	12.0%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	2.9	1078 of 1099	1.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	0.4	1093 of 1093	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	8.8	1041 of 1101	5.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	16.1	967 of 1093	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

African American (2026)6th percentile+4 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)5th percentile~ school

Female (2026)2nd percentile~ school

Male (2026)2nd percentile~ school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

English Reading45%-26 vs state

Mathematics39%-35 vs state

Science34%-35 vs state

VA Studies32%-39 vs state

★

No ratings yet

Be the first to rate Frances W. McClenney Elementary and help other families decide.

Rate Frances W. McClenney Elementary

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Frances W. McClenney Elementary

Load more schools when map is moved

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/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 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
Frances W. McClenney Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3817 Chamberlayne Ave	Richmond	23227	Henrico County	Richmond City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(804) 780-8193	302	17	17.3	—	13 (4.3%)	264 (87.4%)	8 (2.6%)	2 (0.7%)	3 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (4.0%)	3.4	1087^th of 1111 public elementary schools	2.2%		2.2	1098^th of 1110 public elementary schools	1.1%	11	50.0	18.4	41.1	33.9	42.9	47.4	46.4	31.6	$13,544	$700	$12,844
Linwood Holton Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1600 W. Laburnum Ave	Richmond	23227	Henrico County	Richmond City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(804) 228-5310	433	30	14.6	—	243 (56.1%)	147 (33.9%)	12 (2.8%)	5 (1.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (5.8%)	65.1	412^th of 1111 public elementary schools	62.9%		62	454^th of 1110 public elementary schools	59.1%	42	82.0	78.9	80.6	74.6	63.9	83.7	79.1	74.3	$12,499	$19	$12,481
Barack Obama Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3101 Fendall Ave	Richmond	23222	Richmond city	Richmond City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(804) 780-4879	274	23	12.1	—	49 (17.9%)	200 (73.0%)	9 (3.3%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (5.1%)	28.2	864^th of 1111 public elementary schools	22.2%		16.5	966^th of 1110 public elementary schools	13.0%	102	57.1	59.5	54.2	47.9	69.4	73.8	62.5	64.3	$14,548	$569	$13,978
Laburnum Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	500 Meriwether Ave	Richmond	23222	Richmond city	Henrico County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(804) 228-2720	466	36	12.9	89.3%	17 (3.6%)	382 (82.0%)	42 (9.0%)	15 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.1%)	0.8	1110^th of 1111 public elementary schools	0.1%		2	1100^th of 1110 public elementary schools	0.9%	10	25.0	37.7	27.8	26.4	29.6	41.6	38.0		$13,520	$1,169	$12,351
Overby-Sheppard Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2300 1st Ave	Richmond	23222	Richmond city	Richmond City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(804) 329-2515	256	23	11.2	97.3%	5 (2.0%)	223 (87.1%)	15 (5.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (4.7%)	14.6	992^nd of 1111 public elementary schools	10.7%		21	917^th of 1110 public elementary schools	17.4%	75	29.7	45.1	72.2	50.0	24.3	61.5	52.8	55.8	$15,272	$1,386	$13,885
George W. Carver Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1110 W Leigh St	Richmond	23220	Richmond city	Richmond City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(804) 780-6247	404	26	15.6	—	6 (1.5%)	359 (88.9%)	11 (2.7%)	3 (0.7%)	3 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	21 (5.2%)	0.4	1111^th of 1111 public elementary schools	0.0%		1.2	1106^th of 1110 public elementary schools	0.4%	5	24.3	16.3	25.6	22.7	26.1	32.7	41.9	22.9	$15,842	$3,611	$12,231
Lakeside Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	6700 Cedar Croft St	Richmond	23228	Henrico County	Henrico County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(804) 261-5050	397	30	13.2	89.9%	126 (31.7%)	137 (34.5%)	98 (24.7%)	11 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (6.3%)	22.5	920^th of 1111 public elementary schools	17.2%		19.2	937^th of 1110 public elementary schools	15.6%	17	55.2	44.9	60.0	74.6	51.7	50.7	69.1		$15,418	$1,362	$14,056
William Fox Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2300 Hanover Ave	Richmond	23220	Richmond city	Richmond City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(804) 780-6259	367	25	14.9	—	158 (43.1%)	139 (37.9%)	23 (6.3%)	16 (4.4%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (8.2%)	55.2	557^th of 1111 public elementary schools	49.9%		57.4	512^th of 1110 public elementary schools	53.9%	45	75.0	70.7	75.4	77.1	70.0	71.9	78.7	66.7	$12,245	$284	$11,962
Glen Lea Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3909 Austin Ave	Richmond	23222	Richmond city	Henrico County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(804) 228-2725	461	30	15.3	88.7%	10 (2.2%)	415 (90.0%)	25 (5.4%)	6 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.1%)	1.8	1100^th of 1111 public elementary schools	1.0%		1	1110^th of 1110 public elementary schools	0.0%	10	27.1	39.5	40.0	34.6	27.9	47.7	40.7		$13,145	$1,460	$11,685
Chamberlayne Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	8200 St Charles Rd	Richmond	23227	Henrico County	Henrico County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(804) 261-5030	389	27	14.4	89.2%	50 (12.9%)	208 (53.5%)	80 (20.6%)	12 (3.1%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.3%)	36 (9.3%)	12	1013^th of 1111 public elementary schools	8.8%		33	802^nd of 1110 public elementary schools	27.7%	211	39.4	61.4	52.6	49.1	44.6	61.4	52.6		$13,151	$914	$12,237

Frequently Asked Questions about Frances W. McClenney Elementary

What schools do graduates of Frances W. McClenney Elementary attend?

Students who attend Frances W. McClenney Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Thomas H. Henderson Middle
High : Franklin Military Academy
High : John Marshall High
High : Open High
High : Richmond Community High

How many students attend Frances W. McClenney Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 302 students attended Frances W. McClenney Elementary.

What is the racial makeup of Frances W. McClenney Elementary?

Students at Frances W. McClenney Elementary are 87% African American, 4% White, 4% Two or more races, 3% Hispanic.

Is Frances W. McClenney Elementary a good school?

Frances W. McClenney Elementary ranks in the bottom 2.2% of Virginia elementary schools.

What district is Frances W. McClenney Elementary in?

Richmond City Public Schools

Rate Frances W. McClenney Elementary!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

VAVirginia Elementary School Rankings

VAVirginia District Rankings

Schools in Richmond, VA

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Frances W. McClenney Elementary!

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.