Thomas C. McSwain Elementary

Summary:

Thomas C. McSwain Elementary is a public elementary school in Staunton, Virginia, serving 415 students in grades K-5 and part of the Staunton City Public Schools district, which is ranked 31 out of 130 school districts in the state.

Thomas C. McSwain Elementary consistently outperforms the district and state averages in standardized test scores, particularly in mathematics and English reading. In the 2023-2024 school year, the school ranked 118 out of 1,114 Virginia elementary schools, placing it in the top 10.6% statewide. The school's 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students scored significantly higher than state averages in math and reading, with 5th-grade science proficiency also well above the state average. Despite having a high percentage of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, the school maintains strong academic performance.

Compared to nearby schools, Thomas C. McSwain Elementary outperforms Bessie Weller Elementary and Arthur R. Ware Elementary in the Staunton City district, as well as schools in the Augusta County Public Schools district, such as Riverheads Elementary and Stuarts Draft Elementary. The school's demographics are also more homogeneous, with a higher percentage of white students compared to the more diverse nearby schools.


Detail:

Public K-5

 1101 N Coalter St
       Staunton, VA  24401-2505


(540) 332-3936

District: Staunton City Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
118th of 1,114 Virginia Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $8,207 Help


Students who attend Thomas C. McSwain Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Shelburne Middle
High:    Staunton High

Student/teacher ratio:  13.8 Help
Number of students:  429

Racial breakdown:

White:
75.8%
Two or more races:
10.3%
Hispanic:
7.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  81.4% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Thomas C. McSwain Elementary ranks better than 89.4% of elementary schools in Virginia. It also ranks first among 3 ranked elementary schools in the Staunton City Public Schools District! (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 85.24. (See more...)
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Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Thomas C. McSwain Elementary has the largest elementary school student body size in the Staunton City Public Schools District. Racial makeup is: White (75.8%), two or more races (10.3%), Hispanic (7%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 81.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Staunton City Public Schools District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Thomas C. McSwain Elementary is 13.8. 2 elementary schools in the Staunton City Public Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare Thomas C. McSwain Elementary employs 31 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Thomas C. McSwain Elementary is $8,207. 2 elementary schools in the Staunton City Public Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Thomas C. McSwain Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Thomas C. McSwain Elementary 118th of 1114 Virginia public elementary schools. (See Thomas C. McSwain Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Staunton City Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Staunton City Public Schools 31st of 130 Virginia school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Thomas C. McSwain Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Thomas C. McSwain Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 59.58 439th 1062 58.7%
2006 61.99 407th 1071 62.0%
2007 72.29 233rd 1083 78.5%
2008 63.93 374th 1081 65.4%
2009 47.67 650th 1082 39.9%
2010 62.29 406th 1113 63.5%
2011 51.14 620th 1117 44.5%
2012 53.06 573rd 1117 48.7%
2013 49.42 608th 1120 45.7%
2014 44.52 683rd 1110 38.5%
2015 68.03 329th 1100 70.1%
2016 58.13 494th 1096 54.9%
2017 62.41 422nd 1099 61.6%
2018 67.28 357th 1097 67.5%
2019 72.40 280th 1105 74.7%
2021 66.38 384th 1103 65.2%
2022 77.46 239th 1109 78.4%
2023 86.47 101st 1114 90.9%
2024 85.24 118th 1114 89.4%
See the entire list of Virginia Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Thomas C. McSwain Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 81.38 103rd 1036 90.1%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Thomas C. McSwain Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 84.16 116th 1100 89.5%
2024 83.16 132nd 1098 88.0%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Thomas C. McSwain Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 85.76 99th 1093 90.9%
2024 84.49 116th 1101 89.5%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Thomas C. McSwain Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 86.71 45th 984 95.4%
2024 77.10 162nd 979 83.5%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Virginia Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Thomas C. McSwain Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Virginia Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Thomas C. McSwain Elementary

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 488 488
1990 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 495 495
1991 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 491 491
1992 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 505 505
1993 406 120 3 2 0 n/a n/a 0 531
1994 396 104 5 0 0 n/a n/a 0 505
1995 342 106 1 3 1 n/a n/a 0 453
1996 342 106 1 3 1 n/a n/a 0 453
1997 328 104 1 0 1 n/a n/a 0 434
1998 331 99 1 1 1 n/a n/a 0 433
1999 316 91 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 409
2000 267 68 1 2 0 n/a n/a -4 334
2001 270 66 4 1 0 n/a n/a 0 341
2002 225 57 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 284
2003 225 57 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 284
2004 220 61 1 2 0 n/a n/a 0 284
2005 231 62 4 2 0 n/a n/a 0 299
2006 225 56 7 4 0 n/a n/a 0 292
2007 229 53 8 0 0 n/a n/a 0 290
2008 272 68 8 1 0 n/a n/a 0 349
2009 276 86 8 2 0 n/a n/a 0 372
2010 283 86 7 2 0 n/a n/a 3 381
2011 295 56 3 16 0 0 35 0 405
2012 325 65 1 13 0 0 41 0 445
2013 303 64 3 13 0 0 54 0 437
2014 322 73 5 16 0 0 58 0 474
2015 311 59 4 13 2 0 59 0 448
2016 298 69 1 21 2 0 53 0 444
2017 315 60 2 18 1 0 50 0 446
2018 304 54 2 16 2 0 49 0 427
2019 317 52 1 20 3 0 50 0 443
2020 303 49 2 15 3 0 47 0 419
2021 291 44 4 22 2 0 38 0 401
2022 320 36 1 26 2 1 39 0 425
2023 315 30 0 29 1 0 40 0 415
2024 325 26 4 30 0 0 44 0 429

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Thomas C. McSwain Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 488 28.1 17.3 n/a
1990 495 30.8 16.0 n/a
1991 491 31.0 15.8 n/a
1992 505 31.6 15.9 n/a
1993 531 33.7 15.8 n/a
1994 505 32.4 n/a 34.5
1995 453 n/a 0.0 34.4
1996 453 n/a 0.0 34.4
1997 434 n/a 0.0 35
1998 433 n/a 0.0 37
1999 409 33.7 12.1 37.7
2000 334 n/a 0.0 38.8
2001 341 28.0 12.2 38.7
2002 284 34.1 8.3 37.3
2003 284 34.1 8.3 37.3
2004 284 36.1 7.9 43.7
2005 299 29.6 10.1 46.5
2006 292 30.0 9.7 41.1
2007 290 19.3 15.0 40.3
2008 349 12.2 28.6 37.5
2009 372 12.4 29.8 44.9
2010 381 11.8 32.2 45.2
2011 405 16.0 25.3 45.9
2012 445 29.0 15.3 48.3
2013 437 27.5 15.8 53.3
2014 474 28.0 16.9 52.3
2015 448 28.0 16.0 72.3
2016 444 28.0 15.8 49.3
2017 446 29.0 15.3 45.1
2018 427 29.0 14.7 42.2
2019 443 30.0 14.7 44.7
2020 419 26.0 16.1 35.8
2021 401 25.0 16.0 n/a
2022 425 26.0 16.3 35.3
2023 415 30.0 13.8 100.2
2024 429 31.0 13.8 81.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Thomas C. McSwain Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 488 28.1 17.3 n/a
1990 495 30.8 16.0 n/a
1991 491 31.0 15.8 n/a
1992 505 31.6 15.9 n/a
1993 531 33.7 15.8 n/a
1994 505 32.4 n/a 34.5
1995 453 n/a 0.0 34.4
1996 453 n/a 0.0 34.4
1997 434 n/a 0.0 35
1998 433 n/a 0.0 37
1999 409 33.7 12.1 37.7
2000 334 n/a 0.0 38.8
2001 341 28.0 12.2 38.7
2002 284 34.1 8.3 37.3
2003 284 34.1 8.3 37.3
2004 284 36.1 7.9 43.7
2005 299 29.6 10.1 46.5
2006 292 30.0 9.7 41.1
2007 290 19.3 15.0 40.3
2008 349 12.2 28.6 37.5
2009 372 12.4 29.8 44.9
2010 381 11.8 32.2 45.2
2011 405 16.0 25.3 45.9
2012 445 29.0 15.3 48.3
2013 437 27.5 15.8 53.3
2014 474 28.0 16.9 52.3
2015 448 28.0 16.0 72.3
2016 444 28.0 15.8 49.3
2017 446 29.0 15.3 45.1
2018 427 29.0 14.7 42.2
2019 443 30.0 14.7 44.7
2020 419 26.0 16.1 35.8
2021 401 25.0 16.0 n/a
2022 425 26.0 16.3 35.3
2023 415 30.0 13.8 100.2
2024 429 31.0 13.8 81.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Thomas C. McSwain Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $216 (3.0%) $6,867 (97.0%) $7,083
2020 $317 (4.1%) $7,489 (95.9%) $7,806
2021 $700 (8.5%) $7,507 (91.5%) $8,207

Data source: Virginia Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Thomas C. McSwain Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 280th of 1105 Elementary schoolsRanks 101st of 1114 Elementary schools
 16.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Thomas C. McSwain Elementary)8883.6
 4.4%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Staunton City Public Schools)8371.6
 11.4%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Virginia)8269.1
 12.9%
3rd Grade English Reading (Thomas C. McSwain Elementary)8182.2
 1.2%
   3rd Grade English Reading (Staunton City Public Schools)7569.4
 5.6%
   3rd Grade English Reading (Virginia)7166.1
 4.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Thomas C. McSwain Elementary)9090.3
 0.3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Staunton City Public Schools)8981.6
 7.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Virginia)8369.7
 13.3%
4th Grade English Reading (Thomas C. McSwain Elementary)7693.1
 17.1%
   4th Grade English Reading (Staunton City Public Schools)7181.4
 10.4%
   4th Grade English Reading (Virginia)7572.7
 2.3%
5th Grade Mathematics (Thomas C. McSwain Elementary)9183.9
 7.1%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Staunton City Public Schools)8572.8
 12.2%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Virginia)8167
 14%
5th Grade Science (Thomas C. McSwain Elementary)8985.7
 3.3%
   5th Grade Science (Staunton City Public Schools)7770.6
 6.4%
   5th Grade Science (Virginia)7966
 13%
5th Grade English Reading (Thomas C. McSwain Elementary)8889.3
 1.3%
   5th Grade English Reading (Staunton City Public Schools)7873.6
 4.4%
   5th Grade English Reading (Virginia)7871.4
 6.6%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students443415
 6.3%
African American5230
 42.3%
American Indian31
 66.7%
Asian10
 100%
Hispanic2029
 45%
Pacific Islander00
White317315
 0.6%
Two or More Races5040
 20%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients44.7%100.2%
 55.5%


Schools Near Thomas C. McSwain Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Thomas C. McSwain Elementary

Students who attend Thomas C. McSwain Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Shelburne Middle
High : Staunton High

Students at Thomas C. McSwain Elementary are 76% White, 10% Two or more races, 7% Hispanic, 6% African American.

In the 2023-24 school year, 429 students attended Thomas C. McSwain Elementary.

Thomas C. McSwain Elementary ranks 118th of 1114 Virginia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Virginia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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