Understanding different sources of information about Virginia schools can help parents find the best educational options for their children. and GreatSchools鈥� Virginia school ratings both provide essential information about the quality of K-12 schools in the state.
This guide explores how Virginia school ratings and reports are determined, the factors influencing this information, and their vital significance for parents, supplemented with case studies exemplifying their impact.
Understanding the ratings
How Virginia school ratings are determined
Virginia School Quality Profiles encompass a broad spectrum of indicators including student achievement, finance, learning climate, school safety, teacher quality, and more. GreatSchools Summary Ratings combine measures such as Test Scores, Academic Progress, College Readiness, and Equity to evaluate school quality. These metrics are derived from state test scores, student progress, college prep measurements, and the school鈥檚 success in serving disadvantaged students, respectively.
Factors impacting Virginia school ratings
Numerous factors influence GreatSchools鈥� Virginia school ratings. All school ratings include test scores and, where available, measurements of equity. For elementary schools and middle schools, academic progress is an additional factor. For high school ratings, college readiness measurements are an additional factor. Depending on what data is available, a weighted combination of these factors contributes to the overall rating assigned to a school.
Interpreting Virginia school ratings
Interpreting school ratings and reports demands a comprehensive understanding of the diverse criteria used. Parents need to analyze and interpret these indicators to grasp a school鈥檚 strengths and areas needing improvement across various educational metrics. It鈥檚 also important to note that data alone can never tell the whole story about a school. Visiting a school, observing classes, and talking to teachers and parents with children at the school will all help paint a more vivid picture of what the school is really like. (See what these excellent educators say to look for in a school.)
Finding Virginia school ratings
Where to access Virginia school ratings and reports
are available for all public schools and divisions in Virginia through the Virginia Department of Education portal. Although the state information is robust, much of it is not designed for parents. In contrast, GreatSchools offers a platform where parents can access a snapshot of school quality for all the schools in the nation — public, charter, and private.
Using online tools to find a school
GreatSchools is a national nonprofit organization. We provide accessible online tools allowing parents to navigate and understand Virginia鈥檚 school ratings. Our platform compiles data in a user-friendly manner, enabling parents to evaluate and compare multiple schools, read what others in the community think, and make informed decisions regarding their children鈥檚 education.
Why school ratings matter
The importance of Virginia school ratings for parents
When combined with other information, like school visits, Virginia school ratings can serve as indispensable tools for parents in searching for a school for their child. These ratings not only offer insights into the quality of education, and the level of support provided to all students, but they can also offer valuable clues to how schools differ from one another.
Real-life stories and case studies
Case study 1: The Lara family
The Laras, utilizing GreatSchools, compared multiple schools in their area. They found that School A had higher test scores but School B demonstrated robust academic progress compared to statewide averages. They explored the data beyond each of the schools鈥� ratings and discovered that School A seemed to have more success with students with learning disabilities, which matched one of their children鈥檚 needs.
Case study 2: The Henderson family
The Hendersons, valuing equity and support for disadvantaged students, used the Equity Rating on GreatSchools to identify several strong schools in their district. They found one school in particular that had a higher rating in this area, reflecting its exceptional dedication to serving all students equally. This led them to visit this school for its inclusive approach and ultimately choose it for their children.
Case study 3: The Lee family
The Lees were moving to a new city and were particularly concerned about school safety. They explored safety metrics in the Virginia School Quality Profiles and found a handful of schools with robust safety measures, low incident rates, and high teacher quality. They then looked at each of these schools on the GreatSchools platform and, based on multiple factors including the Equity Rating and the parent reviews, they decided on a school for their three children
Understanding Virginia school ratings and reports provides a great starting point for the school search process. By analyzing various indicators and interpreting them based on their values and priorities, parents can begin identifying good-fit schools and ultimately make more informed decisions. These ratings and reports, whether from the state鈥檚 official School Quality Profiles or independent sources like GreatSchools, serve as essential tools for parents in researching the best educational opportunities for their children in Virginia.
