At a glance
Reported students
557
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
38
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
14.7:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
KG–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Virginia elementary enrollment
61st percentile
Compared with 1,139 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
561.5
Waterman Elementary: 557 reported students.
State peer staffing position
67th percentile
14.7:1 reported; state peer median 13.9:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 524
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Student–teacher ratio
- 15.9:1
What the reported data says about Waterman Elementary
Waterman Elementary is a public elementary school serving grades KG–05 in Harrisonburg. It is one of 12 current school records connected to Harrisonburg City Public Schools. NCES reports 557 students for 2024–25.
Among 1,139 elementary schools in Virginia with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 503 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 61st percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 14.7:1, close to the Virginia median of 13.9:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Hispanic or Latino (65.7%) and White (18.9%). English learners represent 49.2% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 10.7%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Waterman Elementary
- 1How do the reported 14.7:1 student–teacher ratio and 38 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 2 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 49.2%
- Students with disabilities
- 10.7%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 87.1%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 2
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0.5
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0.5
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White18.9%
- Hispanic65.7%
- Black8.6%
- Asian1.6%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.2%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial5%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Harrisonburg City Public Schools
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Stone Spring Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
554 reported students
Bluestone Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
566 reported students
Smithland Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
514 reported students
Keister Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
475 reported students
Spotswood Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
468 reported students
Skyline Middle
Middle · Grades 06–08
738 reported students
Public schools near Waterman Elementary
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spotswood Elementary Elementary · Harrisonburg City Public Schools | KG–05 | 468 | 1.2 mi |
| Keister Elementary Elementary · Harrisonburg City Public Schools | PK–05 | 475 | 1.3 mi |
| Bluestone Elementary Elementary · Harrisonburg City Public Schools | PK–05 | 566 | 1.8 mi |
| Mountain View Elementary Elementary · Rockingham County Public Schools | PK–05 | 411 | 2.2 mi |
| Smithland Elementary Elementary · Harrisonburg City Public Schools | KG–05 | 514 | 2.3 mi |
| Stone Spring Elementary Elementary · Harrisonburg City Public Schools | PK–05 | 554 | 2.7 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Waterman Elementary
What grades does Waterman Elementary serve?
Waterman Elementary reports grades KG–05 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Harrisonburg City Public Schools.
How many students attend Waterman Elementary?
Waterman Elementary reported 557 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 61st percentile among 1,139 Virginia elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 524 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Waterman Elementary?
The calculated ratio is 14.7:1, based on 557 students and 38 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Virginia median for the same school level is 13.9:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Waterman Elementary a public, charter, or magnet school?
Waterman Elementary is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Harrisonburg City Public Schools attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Waterman Elementary students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
87.1% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Waterman Elementary in?
Waterman Elementary is part of Harrisonburg City Public Schools, based in Harrisonburg, VA, which operates 12 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Waterman Elementary?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Spotswood Elementary (1.2 mi), Keister Elementary (1.3 mi), Bluestone Elementary (1.8 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.