Excellent
#61 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 3% in state
Academy for Discovery at Lakewood
Middle School · Norfolk City Public Schools
1701 Alsace Ave, Norfolk, VA 23509
Enrollment
730
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
8.8
Grades
3rd – 8th
Enrollment
730
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
8.8
Grades
3rd – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Norfolk
#1 of 44
public schools
Virginia middle schools
#15 of 340
In district
#1 of 44
Norfolk City Public Schools
Equity
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Academy for Discovery at Lakewood
Academy for Discovery at Lakewood is a public school in Norfolk, Virginia, serving grades 3 through 8. With 730 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.6 to 1, the school sits at a scale where individual attention is still realistic. It earns a composite score of 9.3 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — and ranks first among all 44 public schools in Norfolk and fourth among 340 middle schools across Virginia.
Academic performance drives that standing. The school scores 9.8 out of 10 on academics and 9.4 on growth, which means students here are not just starting from a strong baseline — they advance faster than most of their peers statewide. Together, those marks put the school at #19 out of 1,850 public schools across Virginia.
Academy for Discovery at Lakewood outperforms 99% of Virginia public schools. For families in Norfolk weighing middle-grade options, the data is unusually clear: this is the highest-ranked school in the city. Parents prioritizing strong academic outcomes and consistent student progress will find few better options anywhere in the state.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Academy for Discovery at Lakewood — Students at Academy for Discovery at Lakewood score 94% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 18 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.4/10.
How Academy for Discovery at Lakewood Compares
See how Academy for Discovery at Lakewood performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 85% (2019) to 97% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 90% (2019) to 91% (2025).
Location
1701 Alsace Ave, Norfolk, VA 23509
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Academy for Discovery at Lakewood may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. DOMINION ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Lindenwood Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, James Monroe Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Norfolk, see our Norfolk schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Norfolk | 0.1 mi | 7.0 |
| NORFOLK COLLEGIATE SCHOOL Norfolk | 0.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Willard Elementary Norfolk | 0.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Lindenwood Elementary Norfolk | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| MCDONALD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Norfolk | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Suburban Park Elementary Norfolk | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| NORFOLK CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Norfolk | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Norview Middle Norfolk | 1.4 mi | 4.0 |
| Coleman Place Elementary Norfolk | 1.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Sherwood Forest Elementary Norfolk | 1.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Norview Elementary Norfolk | 1.6 mi | 3.7 |
| Jacox Elementary Norfolk | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Richard Bowling Elementary Norfolk | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Granby High Norfolk | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Norview High Norfolk | 1.7 mi | 6.0 |
| James Monroe Elementary Norfolk | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| DOMINION ACADEMY Norfolk | 1.7 mi | 8.2 |
| NORFOLK COLLEGIATE SCHOOL Norfolk | 2.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Booker T Washington High Norfolk | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Granby Elementary Norfolk | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 23509 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,715
Median Home Value
$238,500
Median Rent
$1,259/mo
Population
12,912
College Educated
28.7%
Homeownership
61.9%
Avg Commute
23.7 min
Poverty Rate
16.9%
Median Age
39.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Academy for Discovery at Lakewood has a median household income of $70,715. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $238,500, with a median rent of $1,259/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.9%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Middle Purcellville, VA | 8.8 |
| Westwood Middle Danville, VA | 8.9 |
| Williamsburg Middle Arlington, VA | 8.9 |
| W.C. Taylor Middle Warrenton, VA | 8.6 |
| O. Trent Bonner Middle Danville, VA | 9.1 |
| Peter Muhlenberg Middle Woodstock, VA | 9.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Academy for Discovery at Lakewood
What grades does Academy for Discovery at Lakewood serve?
Academy for Discovery at Lakewood serves students in grades 3rd through 8th.
How many students attend Academy for Discovery at Lakewood?
Academy for Discovery at Lakewood has an enrollment of approximately 730 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Academy for Discovery at Lakewood?
The student-teacher ratio at Academy for Discovery at Lakewood is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Academy for Discovery at Lakewood rank in VA?
Academy for Discovery at Lakewood is ranked #61 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Academy for Discovery at Lakewood's MySchoolScout rating?
Academy for Discovery at Lakewood has a composite rating of 8.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Academy for Discovery at Lakewood?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Academy for Discovery at Lakewood has 82.8% math proficiency and 89.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Academy for Discovery at Lakewood a charter school?
No, Academy for Discovery at Lakewood is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Academy for Discovery at Lakewood a Title I school?
No, Academy for Discovery at Lakewood is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Academy for Discovery at Lakewood?
100.3% of students at Academy for Discovery at Lakewood qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 64 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 41 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 50 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,246/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Norfolk). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 8th
- Enrollment
- 730
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 50
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Norfolk city
- Phone
- (757) 628-2477
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Norfolk City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 26,882
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,341
- District Rank
- #1 of 44
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.