Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 23832

Zip code 23832 in Chesterfield, VA contains 5 elementary schools serving roughly 3,445 students (mostly PK–5, plus one K–8 virtual school), all part of Chesterfield County Public Schools. This small group of schools spans the full spectrum of performance in Virginia, from a top 10% school to one in the bottom 6%, making it an area of stark contrasts for parents to navigate.

At the top, Winterpock Elementary is the clear standout: it ranks 111th out of 1,111 Virginia elementary schools (90th percentile), with roughly 88% average SOL proficiency, the lowest chronic absenteeism (8.8%), and the lowest poverty rate (15.95% free/reduced lunch). Interestingly, it also spends the least per student ($6,880) and has the highest student-teacher ratio (16.8). At the other end, J.A. Chalkley Elementary is the most struggling school: ranked 1,047th (6th percentile), average proficiency near 48%, the highest chronic absenteeism (20.9%), and high poverty (77.72%). Meanwhile, O.B. Gates Elementary is the most improved and a high-poverty success story, rising from the 46th to 70th percentile in two years, with 79.7% average proficiency despite a 76.94% free/reduced lunch rate. Jacobs Road Elementary sits in the middle (50th percentile, 72% average proficiency), while Chesterfield Virtual School is a separate K–8 virtual case with weak results, high spending, and 20% chronic absenteeism.

Key takeaways for parents: poverty matters but is not destiny—Winterpock (15.95% poverty) far outperforms Chalkley, Jacobs Road, and O.B. Gates (all near 77% poverty), yet O.B. Gates beats district and state averages while Chalkley does not. Chronic absenteeism tracks performance closely: the two lowest-performing schools have absenteeism above 20%, while Winterpock’s is 8.8%. Also, higher spending and smaller class sizes do not guarantee success: Chalkley has the lowest student-teacher ratio (9.3) and the worst outcomes, while Winterpock has the highest ratio and the best outcomes. Watch for cohort-driven grade-level swings at Jacobs Road and others, but overall, Winterpock and O.B. Gates are the standouts, while Chalkley and Chesterfield Virtual need the most attention.