Washington-Lee Elementary

Washington-Lee Elementary, a tight-knit elementary-level community in Bristol, Virginia, operated by Bristol City Public Schools, educates 219 students, covering grades pre-K through 5. Compared to the state average of about 499 students per school, that is 56% smaller than typical.

Washington-Lee Elementary is one of 8 schools operated by Bristol City Public Schools, a district that caters to 3,238 students overall.

Demographically, Washington-Lee Elementary records that 68% of the student body identifies as White; the rest looks like 12% multiracial, 11% Black, 7% Hispanic. By comparison, Bristol city as a whole is about 85% White, so the school skews noticeably less White than its surroundings.

On the resource side, Washington-Lee Elementary reports 16 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 14.2:1. The state averages about 13.8:1, putting this campus right in line with peers. An estimated 99% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, often used as a Title I proxy.

Adjusting for the school's free-and-reduced-lunch share, Washington-Lee Elementary sits in the middle band of the BeatsExpectations distribution. Schools with this campus's student mix typically land near 61.3%; this one delivers 63.0%.

Around the school, community-level numbers for Bristol city indicate median household income runs about $50,404, roughly 25% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate sits near 12%. Washington-Lee Elementary is one of 10 public schools in Bristol city (combined enrollment of about 3,238 students).

The closest other public school is Virginia High, roughly 0.2 miles away. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools. Among the 5 schools in that immediate cluster with test data (this one included), Washington-Lee Elementary ranks 4th on composite proficiency, below the local average of 66.9%.

Washington-Lee Elementary operates from a bedroom-community location.

Looking at the recent track record. Over the past 6-year window, the student count expanded 9%: 201 students in 2018 compared to 219 in 2024.

On the community side, the feed for Washington-Lee Elementary typically covers sports schedules, lunch menu changes, and school spirit week. Anyone with firsthand experience at this school can post or comment.