Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 23141

There are two elementary schools in zip code 23141 in Quinton, VA—Quinton Elementary and George W. Watkins Elementary—both serving grades PK-5 and part of New Kent County Public Schools, a district ranked 9th out of 131 in Virginia. Both schools are strong performers, but they stand out in different ways. George W. Watkins is the clear academic leader, with a top 16% statewide ranking and a 4-star rating. Quinton Elementary is the most improved school, jumping from the 54th to the 70th percentile in just two years, and it also has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the pair at just 4.0%, well below the state average of 14.8%.

Looking at test scores, George W. Watkins Elementary beats Quinton Elementary in nearly every subject and grade level. In 2025-2026, Watkins had an overall SOL proficiency average of 85.8% versus 80.1% at Quinton, a gap of about 5.7 points. Watkins is especially strong in math, with 4th grade math proficiency at 93.1% and 5th grade at 90.2%. Meanwhile, Quinton has shown impressive improvement in 4th grade reading and math, but its 3rd grade math dropped sharply by 10.1 points, which is a concern for future cohorts. Despite that, Quinton is now a 4-star school and sits in the 70th percentile statewide, making it a solid choice in its own right.

Both schools have nearly identical student-teacher ratios (14.3 vs. 14.5), but George W. Watkins Elementary spends about $835 more per student ($10,043 vs. $9,208 at Quinton Elementary), which could help explain its academic edge. Quinton has a higher free/reduced lunch rate (33.6% vs. 27.1%), yet its chronic absenteeism is lower, suggesting strong engagement. In the context of New Kent County Public Schools, Quinton is slightly below the district average, while Watkins is well above it. Together, these two schools offer parents excellent options in a top-tier district, with Watkins leading academically and Quinton showing the most momentum.