Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 23803

Zip code 23803 in Virginia is home to 5 elementary schools serving grades PK/K through 5th grade, with a combined enrollment of 2,662 students across two distinctly different districts: Chesterfield County Public Schools and Petersburg City Public Schools. The most striking feature of this data is the sharp achievement divide between the two Chesterfield schools—Matoaca Elementary and Ettrick Elementary—and the three Petersburg schools—Cool Spring Elementary, Pleasants Lane Elementary, and Lakemont Elementary—despite all being located in the same zip code.

Ettrick Elementary is the standout school in this area, ranking 470th out of 1,111 Virginia elementary schools (58th percentile, 3 stars) with an overall SOL proficiency average of about 75.5%. It is especially strong in math, with 5th grade math proficiency at 85.9%, and its state ranking has climbed dramatically from 854th two years ago. Matoaca Elementary also shines in upper grades, posting 5th grade reading and math scores near 83% and a 5th grade science rate of 83.6% versus 68.8% statewide. Matoaca also has the best attendance record in the group at just 12.9% chronic absenteeism, below the state average. Among the three Petersburg schools, Pleasants Lane Elementary is the highest-ranked at 1,104 of 1,111, but all three earn zero stars and sit in the bottom 1% statewide.

The achievement gap between districts is enormous: the two Chesterfield schools average roughly 73% proficiency, while the three Petersburg schools average roughly 33%—a 40-point gap in the same zip code. Chronic absenteeism strongly tracks these results, with Petersburg schools ranging from 25.9% to 44.2% compared to the state average of 14.8%. Poverty is high everywhere, with free/reduced lunch eligibility between 75% and 94%, yet the Chesterfield schools achieve far better outcomes, suggesting attendance and district support play major roles. Per-pupil spending does not explain performance either: Pleasants Lane Elementary spends the most at $12,686 per student yet scores among the lowest, while Cool Spring Elementary spends just $5,417 and posts similar scores. For parents, Ettrick Elementary and Matoaca Elementary are clearly the strongest options in this zip code.