- Laurel Lane Elementary — 1.8 mi · Grades PK–5 · 526 students
- Matthew Whaley Elementary — 2.4 mi · Grades K–5 · 485 students
- Berkeley Middle — 3.1 mi · Grades 6–8 · 666 students
- Clara Byrd Baker Elementary — 3.6 mi · Grades PK–5 · 457 students
- James Blair Middle — 3.8 mi · Grades 6–8 · 505 students
- Jamestown High — 4.9 mi · Grades 9–12 · 1,243 students
- James River Elementary — 5.1 mi · Grades K–5 · 449 students
- Lafayette High — 6.3 mi · Grades 9–12 · 1,247 students
| Metric | Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 11,375 | 3,544 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 16 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $15,819/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 10% below avg |
| District Type | — | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Above average |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 132 rated districts in VA → 76th percentile → 8/10.
Source: Virginia Dept. of Education SOL, division English Reading & Mathematics pass rates, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools
Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools serves zip code 23185, covering Williamsburg, Virginia with grades Pre-K–12th. Whether you’re researching a move, evaluating a home purchase, or preparing to enroll a child, the sections below give you a complete picture of this district’s resources, size, and what its rating means for your family.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools 8 out of 10 — above average among Virginia public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Virginia’s SOL (Standards of Learning) English Reading & Mathematics assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Virginia is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Virginia. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 23185
Children in zip code 23185 are assigned to Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 23185, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Virginia districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Williamsburg
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools serves zip code 23185, homes in and around zip code 23185 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Virginia, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 23185.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 23185 data.