Best Public Schools in Norfolk, VA

The city of Norfolk, Virginia is home to 41 schools, including 30 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, and 5 high schools, all part of the Norfolk City Public Schools district. While the district is ranked 105 out of 130 school districts in Virginia and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger, there are several standout schools that demonstrate exceptional academic performance.

Among the top-performing schools are Academy for Discovery at Lakewood, a middle school ranked 60 out of 417 Virginia middle schools with a 4-star rating, as well as Larchmont Elementary and Walter Herron Taylor Elementary, both ranked in the top 25% of Virginia elementary schools and also earning 4-star ratings. These schools consistently outperform the district and state averages in core subject areas like mathematics, science, and English reading.

However, the data also reveals significant performance gaps between the highest-performing and lowest-performing schools, both within the district and compared to the state. This suggests a need for targeted interventions and support to address these disparities, particularly in schools with higher percentages of economically disadvantaged students. With the right resources and leadership, even the lowest-performing schools in the Norfolk City Public Schools district have the potential to improve and narrow the achievement gap.