Summary:
Zip code 23221 in Richmond, VA, is served by a single elementary school, Lois Harrison-Jones Elementary, a PK–5 school within Richmond City Public Schools that enrolls 262 students with a 13.3 student-teacher ratio. Despite its district ranking in the bottom 10% of Virginia, this school stands out as a high performer, ranking 429th out of 1,111 elementary schools statewide (61st percentile, 3 stars) for 2025–2026, a significant improvement from its 41st percentile ranking two years earlier.
Academically, Lois Harrison-Jones outpaces its district in every tested subject and often matches or exceeds state averages. In 2025–2026, 5th grade math proficiency reached 95.24% (vs. 55.43% district and 72.39% state), 5th grade science hit 85.71% (vs. 51.10% district), and 5th grade reading reached 83.33% (vs. 72.42% state). Third grade math also exceeded the state by 10 points at 84.09%. However, performance varies by grade and year: the same school saw 4th grade reading and VA Studies fall slightly below state averages in 2025–2026, while the prior year's 4th grade cohort posted exceptional scores above 90%. This suggests cohort-specific strengths rather than uniform grade-level patterns.
One of the most striking findings is that 100% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch, yet chronic absenteeism is remarkably low at 7.2%—less than half the state average of 14.8% and nearly a third of the district's 20.5%. Per-student spending of $13,950 and a low student-teacher ratio of 13.3 provide favorable resources. The school's state rank jumped from 660th (41st percentile) in 2023–2024 to 430th (61st percentile) in 2024–2025, and it has maintained that level into 2025–2026 (429th). This combination of high poverty, strong attendance, and improving academic outcomes makes Lois Harrison-Jones a notable bright spot within a low-ranked district.
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