Summary:
Zip code 23692 (Yorktown/Grafton, VA) is served by three K-5 public elementary schools—Grafton Bethel Elementary, Yorktown Elementary, and Dare Elementary—all part of York County Public Schools, a district ranked in the 95th percentile statewide. Together, these schools enroll 1,651 students and consistently outperform Virginia state averages on SOL tests.
Among the three, Dare Elementary is the clear academic standout, ranking #163 in Virginia (85th percentile) with an average SOL proficiency of 86.0%. It also has the lowest student-teacher ratio (14.2:1), the lowest chronic absenteeism (6.4%), and the highest per-student spending ($12,026). Grafton Bethel Elementary is the largest school (653 students) and ranks #216 (81st percentile), but its state ranking has slipped from #123 to #216 over three years, with proficiency dropping from 85.7% to 83.9%—notably in 5th-grade math and reading. Yorktown Elementary ranks #336 (70th percentile) and serves the highest percentage of economically disadvantaged students (52.8% free/reduced lunch), yet it still posts an 80.3% average SOL proficiency and every reported score above the state average. Yorktown also spends the least per student ($9,758) but keeps chronic absenteeism low at 6.7%.
For parents, the key takeaway is that all three schools are strong options in a top-tier district. Dare leads in nearly every academic metric and is the only school that beats district averages on half of its tests. Grafton Bethel excels in 5th-grade science (83%) and 4th-grade math (89.5%) despite its recent ranking decline. Yorktown delivers impressive results given its higher poverty rate and lower spending, making it a school that punches above its weight. Attendance is excellent across the board, with chronic absenteeism far below district and state levels. While strengths vary by subject and grade, families in 23692 can expect above-average academics, strong engagement, and a supportive learning environment at any of these three schools.
Thank you for your feedback!