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Garden City Elementary

Public Grades PK, KG-5

857^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,111 Virginia Elementary Schools

Better than 23% of Virginia elementary schools

Summary

Garden City Elementary is a PK–5 school in Roanoke, VA, serving 302 students in the Roanoke City Public Schools district, which ranks in the bottom 11% of Virginia districts. The school currently sits in the 23rd percentile statewide (857th of 1,111 elementary schools) with a 1-star rating for 2025–2026, and nearly 99% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch. Chronic absenteeism is 25.4% — matching the district average but nearly double the state rate of 14.8%. The school's ranking has fluctuated significantly over time, from the 53rd percentile in 2017–2018 down to the 9th percentile in 2022–2023 before recovering to its current level.

Academically, Garden City shows a sharp grade-level divide. Third grade math proficiency (80.49%) exceeds both the district (62.47%) and the state (74.04%), and 3rd grade reading (65.85%) is well above the district's 50.16%. However, 4th grade reading drops to 48.78% — below the district and far below the state's 73.70% — and VA Studies proficiency (46.34%) also lags significantly. Fifth grade math (66.67%) and science (61.11%) beat district averages but trail the state. Year-to-year swings are dramatic: 5th grade math jumped from 45.16% to 66.67%, while 4th grade reading fell from 70% to 48.78%. Nearby comparisons are striking — Crystal Spring Elementary also serves a nearly 100% free/reduced-lunch population yet ranks in the 93rd percentile statewide, while Grandin Court Elementary and Wasena Elementary post far stronger scores with much lower absenteeism.

Garden City spends $16,985 per student — the highest among nearby schools — and has the lowest student-teacher ratio at 9.2, yet those resources haven't translated into top-tier results. Green Valley Elementary in Roanoke County spends far less and produces much higher proficiency rates. Chronic absenteeism rose sharply from 17.9% to 25.4% in one year, while high performers like Mount Pleasant Elementary (4.4%) and Crystal Spring (6.8%) sit in single digits; only Fallon Park Elementary (29.9%) and Morningside Elementary (26.3%) are worse. Bright spots exist: 3rd grade math topped the state average, 5th grade science and math improved dramatically, and low-SES students perform better relative to their statewide peers than the school's overall rank suggests. Subgroup data also shows a gender gap — boys rank in the 45th percentile while girls rank in the 23rd — and improving attendance may be the highest-leverage path to raising achievement.

302

Students ?

9.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$18,822

Per pupil spending ?

98.7%

Directly certified for free meals (2024-25) ?

All students receive free meals (Community Eligibility, 2024-25)

3718 Garden City Blvd SE
Roanoke, VA 24014

(540) 853-2971

District: Roanoke City Public Schools

Students who attend Garden City Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	John P. Fishwick Middle
High:	Patrick Henry High

Racial breakdown:

White:

53.0%

African American:

25.5%

Two or more races:

11.9%

See top rated Virginia elementary schools

Compare Garden City Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 17th percentile in 2016 → 23rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 6 percentile points since 2016

✓Small classes — about 9 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Virginia average (60% vs 72% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (23rd percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (24% vs 13% Virginia)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school60%

District avg54%

Virginia avg72%

857^th of 1,111

Virginia public elementary schools ?

Bottom 23%▲ up 6 pts since 2016

From bottom 17% (2016) to bottom 23% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

7^th of 17Elementary Schools in the Roanoke City Public Schools

117^th of 131Roanoke 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	28.6	857 of 1111	22.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	31.0	815 of 1110	26.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	18.3	953 of 1114	14.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	11.4	1011 of 1114	9.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	30.2	844 of 1109	23.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	44.8	659 of 1103	40.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	43.5	707 of 1105	36.0%	★★☆☆☆
2018	57.8	512 of 1097	53.3%	★★★☆☆
2017	47.5	659 of 1099	40.0%	★★☆☆☆
2016	26.2	914 of 1096	16.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	30.1	869 of 1100	21.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	18.0	1023 of 1110	7.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	44.2	697 of 1120	37.8%	★★☆☆☆
2012	37.2	841 of 1117	24.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	17.5	1060 of 1117	5.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2010	15.3	1062 of 1113	4.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	50.6	594 of 1082	45.1%	★★☆☆☆
2008	20.7	991 of 1081	8.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2007	49.3	607 of 1083	44.0%	★★☆☆☆
2006	21.1	974 of 1071	9.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2005	17.8	983 of 1062	7.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	29.3	847 of 1100	23.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	45.2	664 of 1096	39.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	22.4	915 of 1098	16.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	24.1	898 of 1100	18.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	36.6	727 of 1040	30.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	42.1	647 of 1046	38.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	22.3	878 of 1036	15.3%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	49.2	609 of 1099	44.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	32.9	797 of 1093	27.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	22.0	922 of 1101	16.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	12.1	1000 of 1093	8.5%	☆☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	32.0	750 of 974	23.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	48.2	571 of 973	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	27.1	791 of 979	19.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	5.6	965 of 984	1.9%	☆☆☆☆☆

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)

Male (2026)45th percentile+22 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)30th percentile+7 vs school

Female (2026)23rd percentile~ school

White (2026)23rd percentile~ school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics69%-5 vs state

Science61%-8 vs state

English Reading57%-15 vs state

VA Studies46%-24 vs state

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Schools Near Garden City 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	Directly certified (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
Garden City Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3718 Garden City Blvd SE	Roanoke	24014	Roanoke city	Roanoke City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 853-2971	302	33	9.2	98.7%	160 (53.0%)	77 (25.5%)	27 (8.9%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (11.9%)	28.6	857^th of 1111 public elementary schools	22.9%		31	815^th of 1110 public elementary schools	26.6%	42	80.5	58.5	66.7	61.1	65.9	48.8	55.6	46.3	$18,822	$2,048	$16,774
Mount Pleasant Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3216 Mt Pleasant Blvd	Roanoke	24014	Roanoke County	Roanoke County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 427-1879	246	23	10.9	83.7%	181 (73.6%)	5 (2.0%)	27 (11.0%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (12.6%)	67.1	389^th of 1111 public elementary schools	65.0%		72.4	319^th of 1110 public elementary schools	71.3%	70	80.0	79.6	81.8	78.8	74.3	77.3	84.9	72.1	$17,096	$1,302	$15,794
Crystal Spring Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2620 Carolina Ave SW	Roanoke	24014	Roanoke city	Roanoke City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 853-2976	323	22	14.9	99.1%	262 (81.1%)	18 (5.6%)	21 (6.5%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (6.5%)	88.1	75^th of 1111 public elementary schools	93.2%		86.7	90^th of 1110 public elementary schools	91.9%	15	95.6	94.6	90.9	81.8	88.6	91.1	87.3	90.9	$12,888	$291	$12,597
Clearbrook Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	5205 Franklin Rd	Roanoke	24014	Roanoke County	Roanoke County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 772-7555	320	24	13.6	33.4%	222 (69.4%)	23 (7.2%)	22 (6.9%)	24 (7.5%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (8.8%)	71	339^th of 1111 public elementary schools	69.5%		79	230^th of 1110 public elementary schools	79.3%	109	73.9	78.0	90.6	92.5	67.4	82.0	92.3	72.0	$11,509	$314	$11,195
Morningside Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1716 Wilson Avenue SE	Roanoke	24013	Roanoke city	Roanoke City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 853-2991	278	23	12.1	98.9%	112 (40.3%)	91 (32.7%)	45 (16.2%)	3 (1.1%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (9.0%)	13.5	999^th of 1111 public elementary schools	10.1%		9.2	1035^th of 1110 public elementary schools	6.8%	36	75.8	33.3	43.5	39.1	66.7	41.0	51.1	30.6	$14,177	$1,898	$12,279
Highland Park Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1212 5th St SW	Roanoke	24016	Roanoke city	Roanoke City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 853-2963	362	31	11.8	99.2%	156 (43.1%)	99 (27.3%)	47 (13.0%)	7 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (14.6%)	60	477^th of 1111 public elementary schools	57.1%		65.8	406^th of 1110 public elementary schools	63.4%	71	46.2	87.3	76.6	79.4	50.0	83.1	71.9	81.7	$14,286	$1,175	$13,110
Fishburn Park Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3057 Colonial Ave SW	Roanoke	24015	Roanoke city	Roanoke City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 853-2931	279	28	10.0	98.9%	125 (44.8%)	83 (29.7%)	31 (11.1%)	12 (4.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (10.0%)	38.1	755^th of 1111 public elementary schools	32.0%		35.2	769^th of 1110 public elementary schools	30.7%	14	77.8	75.0	65.9	53.7	59.3	71.4	58.5	75.0	$18,183	$747	$17,435
Wasena Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1125 Sherwood Ave SW	Roanoke	24015	Roanoke city	Roanoke City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 853-2914	247	19	13.2	98.8%	131 (53.0%)	54 (21.9%)	35 (14.2%)	7 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (8.1%)	72.8	307^th of 1111 public elementary schools	72.4%		69.9	356^th of 1110 public elementary schools	67.9%	49	70.6	88.2	100.0	97.0	70.6	76.5	87.9	76.5	$12,903	$832	$12,071
Green Valley Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3838 Overdale Rd	Roanoke	24018	Roanoke County	Roanoke County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(540) 772-7556	483	35	14.0	36.6%	316 (65.4%)	39 (8.1%)	62 (12.8%)	26 (5.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (8.3%)	77.6	237^th of 1111 public elementary schools	78.7%		81.7	186^th of 1110 public elementary schools	83.2%	51	78.8	80.2	93.1	95.8	77.2	88.4	85.9	76.9	$9,982	$487	$9,495
Fallon Park Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	502 19th St SE	Roanoke	24013	Roanoke city	Roanoke City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(540) 853-2535	591	50	11.7	99.3%	158 (26.7%)	200 (33.8%)	171 (28.9%)	7 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	55 (9.3%)	2.6	1094^th of 1111 public elementary schools	1.5%		7.1	1052^nd of 1110 public elementary schools	5.2%	42	46.0	32.1	40.5	35.4	30.6	37.4	50.6	39.3	$16,291	$1,820	$14,471

Frequently Asked Questions about Garden City Elementary

How many students attend Garden City Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 302 students attended Garden City Elementary.

Is Garden City Elementary a good school?

Garden City Elementary ranks in the bottom 22.9% of Virginia elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of Garden City Elementary?

Students at Garden City Elementary are 53% White, 25% African American, 12% Two or more races, 9% Hispanic.

What schools do graduates of Garden City Elementary attend?

Students who attend Garden City Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : John P. Fishwick Middle
High : Patrick Henry High

What district is Garden City Elementary in?

Roanoke City Public Schools

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Latest Virginia data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataOct 12, 2026

2025–26 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesOct 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.