Living in Ivy, Virginia 2026

The Complete Guide for Families & Public Schools

Ivy, Virginia, is a rural-suburban community in Albemarle County that has become increasingly popular with families over the past decade.

Located just west of the city of Charlottesville, Ivy offers scenic landscapes, a close-knit community, and access to some of the strongest public schools in central Virginia.

For families prioritizing education, Ivy and much of western Albemarle County stand out for consistent academic achievement, community involvement, and compelling outcomes at every level of schooling.

This guide breaks down what families need to know about living and raising children in Ivy in 2026, with a deep dive into the local public schools and educational environment.

For nearby private schools for those planning on living in Ivy, Virginia 2026 are The Field School of Charlottesville, The Miller School of Albemarle, and St. Anne’s-Belfield.

Overview of Ivy Elementary & Albemarle County Public Schools

Ivy is served by Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS), one of the highest-regarded public school systems in Virginia.

Under the Virginia Department of Education’s Performance and Support Framework, several schools in the Ivy/Western Albemarle area have earned the top designation of “Distinguished”, reflecting high achievement across state testing and readiness metrics.

Western Albemarle High School, Joseph T. Henley Middle School, Virginia L. Murray Elementary, and Ivy Elementary all appear in the highest performance categories in the district.

Ivy Elementary School

Grades: K-5
Rating Highlights:

• Ivy Elementary is regularly ranked among the top elementary schools in Virginia. According to SchoolDigger data, Ivy outperforms district and state averages in standardized test scores, ranking in the top 30 of over 1,100 Virginia elementary schools for 2025 data.
• Under the Virginia Performance Framework, Ivy earned a “Distinguished” rating with a framework score above state expectations. (schoolquality.virginia.gov)
• PublicSchoolReview reports Ivy ranks in the top 20% of elementary schools statewide, with proficiency rates in reading and math well above Virginia averages. (Public School Review)
• Niche gives Ivy an overall A- grade, strong academics, and favorable teacher metrics (about a 15:1 student-teacher ratio).

Why Families Like Ivy Elementary:

• Small-town feel and strong community involvement.
• Consistently high academic outcomes.
• Low chronic absenteeism and strong readiness indicators.

Though parent reviews are limited on some platforms, those that exist emphasize a warm learning environment and strong staff engagement.

Virginia L. Murray Elementary School

Grades: PK-5

Ratings & Data:

• Murray is widely recognized as one of the top public elementary schools in Albemarle County and Virginia. Niche ranks it among the top 25 elementary schools in the state based on academic and teacher quality.
• School profiles show 92% proficiency in both reading and math, well above many state averages.
• Under the county’s performance grading system, and according to The Crozet Gazette ( Crozet’s excellent, free, weekly newspaper) Murray also holds a “Distinguished” rating.

Parent Feedback generally highlights rigorous academics, attentive teachers, and an inclusive environment.

Henley Middle School

Grades: 6-8
Ratings & Data:

• Henley Middle serves most Ivy-area students before they transition to high school and is part of the Western Albemarle feeder pattern that includes Ivy/Western area elementary schools and Western Albemarle High.
• The Virginia Department of Education reports Henley is the only middle school in Albemarle with a “Distinguished” framework score, indicating high proficiency and readiness metrics statewide.
• Similar sites (GreatSchools, Niche) rate Henley as above average with strong reading (around 89%) and math (82%) proficiency.

Parent & Student Reviews are mixed: many praise the challenging academics and supportive teachers, while some note social climate issues typical of middle schools (e.g., student-peer interactions).

Such feedback is common in large middle schools and varies by cohort and year.

Western Albemarle High School

Grades: 9-12

Ratings & Data:

• Western Albemarle High School (WAHS) is consistently one of the top performers in Albemarle County. Under the newest state ratings, it holds a “Distinguished” status with framework scores indicating strong mastery of core academic subjects.
• Test score data show above-average performance in key Virginia Standards of Learning subjects, with high proficiency in reading, math, and sciences compared to many state peers.
• As a full-service high school, WAHS offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses, dual enrollment options, and varied extracurricular programs that prepare students for college and career paths.

Why Families Choose living in Ivy, VA:

• Strong academics and extracurriculars, including athletics, arts, and STEM options.
• Higher college readiness outcomes relative to many Virginia public high schools.
• Numerous supports for student success and post-secondary planning.

Parents often highlight pride in school culture, academic challenge, and opportunities for student leadership and teamwork.

School Boundaries and Attendance Zones

School boundary maps are useful for families planning a move. (Best I could do)

While U.S. Census and county GIS tools often provide detailed boundaries, current county attendance maps are available through Albemarle County Public Schools.

Ivy Elementary Schools Map

Parents should always verify boundaries directly with ACPS, as redistricting can occur to balance enrollment and resources.

Living in Ivy Virginia 2026 Community and Parent Involvement

One of the defining features of the Ivy area’s school community is strong parental engagement.

Parents help support classroom resources, volunteer programs, and extracurricular clubs.

School councils and Parent-Teacher Organizations (PTOs) actively collaborate with administrators to enrich school life.

Common themes in parent forums and local discussions include:

• A vibrant network of family activities tied to school events like fundraisers, sports, and seasonal celebrations.
• Parent advocacy for a supportive learning environment.
• Neighborhood forums where families share housing, school, and activity insights.
• These grassroots discussions often guide newcomers in finding local resources and peer support.

Why Families Move to Ivy for Education

Families are drawn to Ivy for several education-focused reasons:

High Academic Performance

Schools in the Ivy/Western Albemarle area frequently outperform state averages in reading and math proficiency, college readiness indicators, and state assessment rankings.

Multiple schools have “Distinguished” ratings in the state accountability system, a strong signal for many families prioritizing academics.

Consistent Feeder Pathway

The feeder system from elementary to middle to high school creates continuity: students typically progress together from local elementary schools, to Henley Middle, and on to Western Albemarle High.

This continuity builds community and strong peer networks.

Supportive Community

Parent reviews often emphasize a welcoming school environment, active involvement, and engaged teachers.

While every school has areas for improvement, the prevailing tone across reviews and data suggests that families feel invested in their children’s education.

Links to Ivy Neighborhoods and Ivy Real Estate Resources

To explore Ivy and nearby communities more fully, check out these neighborhood guides:

• Charlottesville Real Estate & Schools Explained
• Crozet and Western Albemarle Living Guide
• Albemarle County School District Community Profiles
• 20 Reasons To Love Living in Ivy VA | Toby Beavers Realtor Guide
• Ivy VA Realtor | Toby Beavers
• Best Ivy Realtor
• Ivy VA Homes For Sale

These articles cover housing, commute, lifestyle, and other factors that matter to families relocating to central Virginia.

Homes For Sale in Ivy & Murray Elementary Schools

$565,000 Active

2530 Gillums Ridge Ln Charlottesville, Virginia

3 Beds 2 Baths 2,472 SqFt 2.49 Acres

$699,000 Active

555 Gillums Ridge Rd Charlottesville, Virginia

4 Beds 4 Baths 3,182 SqFt 2 Acres

$850,000 Active

325 Heron Ln Charlottesville, Virginia

4 Beds 3 Baths 3,020 SqFt 0.67 Acres

$935,000 Active

1816 Davis Shop Rd Earlysville, Virginia

6 Beds 4 Baths 4,700 SqFt 17.09 Acres

$1,480,000 Active

Lot 5 Gillums Ridge Rd Charlottesville, Virginia

4 Beds 4 Baths 4,709 SqFt 3.08 Acres

$1,595,000 Active

A Morgantown Rd Charlottesville, Virginia

4 Beds 4 Baths 5,250 SqFt 6.19 Acres

$1,685,000 Active

Morgantown Rd Charlottesville, Virginia

4 Beds 4 Baths 5,512 SqFt 6.19 Acres

$1,749,000 Active

2620 Wind River Rd Charlottesville, Virginia

4 Beds 4 Baths 7,084 SqFt 4.1 Acres

$1,860,000 Active

Free Union Rd Charlottesville, Virginia

5 Beds 6 Baths 6,900 SqFt 7.28 Acres

$1,949,000 Active

407 Broad Axe Rd Charlottesville, Virginia

4 Beds 4 Baths 4,510 SqFt 30.87 Acres

$2,995,000 Active

585 Ragged Mountain Dr Charlottesville, Virginia

5 Beds 6 Baths 8,559 SqFt 2.85 Acres

$3,895,000 Active

4 Canterbury Rd Charlottesville, Virginia

6 Beds 6 Baths 9,194 SqFt 1.3 Acres

My Final Thoughts as an Ivy VA Realtor Since 2003

Living in Ivy, Virginia, offers families a compelling blend of strong public education, attractive homes, and quality-of-life benefits.

From high-performing elementary schools through a well-connected high school pathway, education is a central reason many families choose Ivy and Western Albemarle as their home.

With accessible outdoor spaces, community activities, and a collaborative parent culture around schools, Ivy remains one of central Virginia’s most family-friendly communities in 2026.

As an Ivy VA realtor since 2003, I will help you with your children’s school choices.

Toby Beavers, a top Charlottesville realtor since 2003 may be reached by text or phone at 434-327-2999