- Enrollment
- 998
- Students per teacher
- 7.4:1
- Resource Index
- 55/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Harrisonburg, VA
Waterman Elementary
Federal NCES profile for Waterman Elementary, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 53/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 510186000787
👥 S:T ratio 48
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 44
📋 Attendance 50
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Waterman Elementary earns 53/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Virginia median.
- #4 of 8
- schools in Harrisonburg · Resource Index
- 53
- Resource Index · Higher
- 13:1
- students per teacher
- 78.9%
- free-lunch eligible
Waterman Elementary has class sizes near the Virginia median. Computed live against every Virginia school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Waterman Elementary ranks #4 of 8 schools in Harrisonburg, VA.
School address
District: Harrisonburg City Public Schools · Virginia
NCES ID 510186000787 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+29 students YoY
Waterman Elementary grew from 530 students in 2022-23 to 559 in 2023-24 (+5.5%).
Teacher FTE lost 43.0 → 38.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+29 students YoY 510186000787 · Harrisonburg, VA Other · MID · TRAD
557 enr · 13:1 · 78.9% lunch · RII 53
Nearest enrollment peer: Harrisonburg High (998 students)
Waterman Elementary grew from 530 students in 2022-23 to 559 in 2023-24 (+5.5%). Teacher FTE lost 43.0 → 38.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Virginia schools → · Find another →
Waterman Elementary in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Harrisonburg H
Harrisonburg High
998 students
- Thomas Harriso
Thomas Harrison Middle
771 students
- Skyline Middle
Skyline Middle
738 students
- Bluestone Elem
Bluestone Elementary
566 students
- This school
Waterman Elementary
557 students
- Stone Spring E
Stone Spring Elementary
554 students
What this shows Waterman Elementary reports 557 students on the CCD universe file.
How Waterman Elementary compares
Waterman Elementary is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Virginia and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Virginia | Virginia avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 13:1 | ▼ 6% | 13.9:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 78.9% | ▲ 37% | 57.6% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 557 | top 49% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
13:1
Leaner classes than 67% of US schools, among the more generously staffed nationally.
557
Bigger than 68% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
78.9%
free-lunch eligible
- 37% above the Virginia average of 57.6%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
13:1
students per teacher
- 6% below state mean
Top 36% in Virginia - lower ratio than 64% of state schools
Well under the widely cited 15:1 individualized-attention benchmark, among the leaner class loads nationally.
Engagement
20.1%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$15,787
per pupil, district-wide
- below Virginia avg of $15,892
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors2.0 FTE
Per 279 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 1 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 0.2 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 65.7%
White 18.9%
African American 8.6%
Two or More 5.0%
Asian 1.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 65.7% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 52.2/100
Simpson diversity index - at 52.2, Waterman Elementary is about as mixed as the Virginia school average of 53.7.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Harrisonburg City Public Schools reports $15,787 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Waterman Elementary Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisonburg High | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Thomas Harrison Middle | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Skyline Middle | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Bluestone Elementary | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Stone Spring Elementary | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Waterman Elementary's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 771
- Students per teacher
- 12.2:1
- Resource Index
- 59/100
- Enrollment
- 738
- Students per teacher
- 11.7:1
- Resource Index
- 53/100
- Enrollment
- 566
- Students per teacher
- 12.6:1
- Resource Index
- 51/100
- Enrollment
- 554
- Students per teacher
- 12.3:1
- Resource Index
- 35/100
Similar other schools in Harrisonburg
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Stone Spring Elementary
Standard public school
554 students 12.3:1 students per teacher
Smithland Elementary
Standard public school
514 students 10.1:1 students per teacher
Keister Elementary
Standard public school
475 students 12.5:1 students per teacher
Spotswood Elementary
Standard public school
468 students 12:1 students per teacher
Mountain View Elementary
Standard public school
411 students 14.2:1 students per teacher
Lacey Spring Elementary
Standard public school
350 students 19.4:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~557 students)
Frequently asked questions about Waterman Elementary
How many students attend Waterman Elementary?
Waterman Elementary has 557 students enrolled. It is a public school in Harrisonburg, VA. CCD year-over-year: 530 (2022-23) → 559 (2023-24), up 29.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Waterman Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Waterman Elementary is 13:1, which is 6% lower than the Virginia average of 13.9:1 and 17% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Waterman Elementary?
78.9% of students at Waterman Elementary are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Virginia average of 57.6%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Waterman Elementary?
The largest demographic group at Waterman Elementary is Hispanic or Latino at 65.7% of enrollment, in Harrisonburg, VA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 52.2/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Waterman Elementary?
Waterman Elementary has a Resource Investment Index of 53/100 (higher reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Waterman Elementary rank among schools in Harrisonburg?
By Resource Investment Index, Waterman Elementary ranks #4 of 8 schools in Harrisonburg, VA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Harrisonburg on the city page.
What other schools are in Harrisonburg City Public Schools?
Besides Waterman Elementary, Harrisonburg City Public Schools also operates Harrisonburg High (998 students), Thomas Harrison Middle (771 students), and Skyline Middle (738 students). See the Harrisonburg City Public Schools district page for the complete list.