Many families want to choose a neighborhood or area with the best possible schools for their children. Perhaps you’re considering a move to Norfolk, but you want to make sure you’re well informed about where your children will go to school. We answer a few key questions about Norfolk’s top schools and provide an overview of the district.
HOW LARGE IS THE DISTRICT?
There are 51 schools that make up Norfolk City Public School district. Over 27,000 students attend these schools. The district offers full-day preschool for three- and four-year-olds, along with standard education for children between kindergarten and the 12th grade. The district employs nearly 2,600 teachers and almost 5,000 total staff members. Each employee is dedicated to helping the district’s students achieve and learn at the highest levels.
WHAT IS THE MISSION OF NORFOLK PUBLIC SCHOOLS?
Norfolk schools value diversity, and they seek to help each student recognize their athletic potential and develop skills for lifelong learning. They pride themselves on family and community investment, along with personalized learning opportunities and effective leadership teams. Students who graduate from Norfolk high schools have experienced thorough preparation for college and for their future career. Norfolk students can choose from five specialty programs in middle school or high school, along with three choice K-8 schools, in addition to more general options for their education.
WHAT ARE THE TOP ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN NORFOLK?
While many of the elementary schools in Norfolk are excellent, one school that consistently receives positive feedback is Larchmont Elementary School. Like all Norfolk schools, Larchmont places an emphasis on advocating for all students and sharing the responsibility for teaching and learning. Over 450 students between pre-K and 5th grade attend Larchmont, where the student-teacher ratio is 14 to 1. About 93% of the students test proficient in math and 92% test proficient in reading. Most of the teachers have been with the school longer than two years.
W. H. Taylor Elementary School is another of the district’s top schools. The Owls soar together by learning how to summarize, develop organizational strategies, engage in social activity, and read at a sustainable level. One of their current goals is to help all students develop a greater ability to comprehend text. They track this in students between the 2nd and 5th grade using the STAR test. This school is slightly smaller than Larchmont, with just over 300 students between pre-K and 5th grade. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14 to 1, and nearly 80% of the teachers have been with the school longer than two years. At W. H. Taylor, 87% of the students are proficient in reading and 92% are proficient in math.
4. WHAT ARE NORFOLK’S BEST MIDDLE SCHOOLS?
The Academy for Discovery at Lakewood has 738 students attending grades 3 through 8. Their goal is to help students develop a lifelong passion for learning and to grow in their critical thinking and creativity during their time in classes. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13 to 1, and 85% of the students are proficient in math while 90% are proficient in reading. The school consistently receives positive reviews of its teachers.
Another middle school in Norfolk is Northside where students are STARS (Students That Are Ready to Succeed). The school seeks to help students become responsible and literate members of a multicultural society and learn the key skills necessary to succeed in the 21st century. Northside has 857 students enrolled between grades 6, and 8. 8% of the students are proficient in math and 68% are proficient in reading. The school has a 12 to 1 student-to-teacher ratio.
5. WHERE DO NORFOLK STUDENTS GO TO HIGH SCHOOL?
The Norfolk high schools have excellent ratings. Nearly 1,600 students attend Matthew Fontaine Maury High School, where 80% of the students are proficient in math and 87% are proficient in reading. The school has a student-to-teacher ratio of 12 to 1, and students boast an average score of 1150 on the SAT and 25 on the ACT. About 81% of these students will graduate, and many students will enroll at Old Dominion University or Virginia Commonwealth University.
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Granby High School is slightly larger. Over 1,800 students are enrolled at the school, where the student-to-teacher ratio is 12 to 1. Around 70% of the Granby students test proficiently in math, and 79% are proficient in reading. Students score an average of 1130 on the SAT and 24 on the ACT. Roughly 26% of the students are enrolled in AP courses and 78% will graduate. Most students from Granby will attend the University of Virginia.
WHO CAN HELP ME FIND A HOME NEAR THE BEST NORFOLK SCHOOLS?
Working with a realtor who knows Norfolk is a great way to get a better feel for the area and to learn where the real estate market currently stands. Brandon Carney is a trusted Norfolk realtor who is passionate about providing five-star service to each of his clients. His knowledge and expertise about Virginia Beach will be a tremendous asset to you as you look to buy or sell a home in the Norfolk area. He can help you find a dream home in the Norfolk area.
