Needs Improvement
#1835 of 1,851 schools in VA
Cradock Elementary
Elementary School · Portsmouth City Public Schools
18 Dahlgren Ave, Portsmouth, VA 23702
Enrollment
606
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
2.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
606
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
2.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia schools
#1,835 of 1,851
In Portsmouth
#21 of 22
public schools
In district
#21 of 22
Portsmouth City Public Schools
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Cradock Elementary
Elementary School in Portsmouth · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cradock Middle
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
St Mark Christian Academy
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cradock Elementary
Cradock Elementary is a public elementary school in Portsmouth, VA, part of Portsmouth City Public Schools. Cradock Elementary serves approximately 606 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Cradock Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,835 of 1,851 schools in VA.
Structured state assessment records for Cradock Elementary show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 2.1 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 3.4
- VA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
32% of students at Cradock Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cradock Elementary — Students at Cradock Elementary score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 35 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.7/10.
How Cradock Elementary Compares
See how Cradock Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
18 Dahlgren Ave, Portsmouth, VA 23702
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cradock Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. G.A. Treakle Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Chesapeake), which scores notably higher. Another option is PORTSMOUTH CATHOLIC REGIONAL SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rena B. Wright Primary (rated 6.8/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Chesapeake), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Portsmouth, see our Portsmouth schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cradock Middle Portsmouth | 0.5 mi | 3.6 |
| ST MARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Portsmouth | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Victory Elementary Portsmouth | 1.1 mi | 3.3 |
| Brighton Elementary Portsmouth | 1.6 mi | 3.5 |
| G.A. Treakle Elementary Chesapeake | 1.5 mi | 7.5 |
| PORTSMOUTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Portsmouth | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Douglass Park Elementary Portsmouth | 1.8 mi | 2.2 |
| Camelot Elementary Chesapeake | 2.1 mi | 6.7 |
| William E. Waters Middle Portsmouth | 2.1 mi | 5.0 |
| I.C. Norcom High Portsmouth | 2.6 mi | 5.5 |
| PORTSMOUTH CATHOLIC REGIONAL SCHOOL Portsmouth | 2.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Park View Elementary Portsmouth | 2.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Rena B. Wright Primary Chesapeake | 2.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Westhaven Elementary Portsmouth | 2.7 mi | 2.7 |
| COURT STREET ACADEMY Portsmouth | 2.9 mi | — |
| Mount Hermon Preschool Center Portsmouth | 2.9 mi | 4.4 |
| HARBOR POINT BEHAVIOR HEALTH CENTER Portsmouth | 3.0 mi | 6.6 |
| HARBOR POINT ACADEMY Portsmouth | 3.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Oscar Smith Middle Chesapeake | 2.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Truitt Intermediate Chesapeake | 2.7 mi | 4.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 23702 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$48,288
Median Home Value
$188,600
Median Rent
$1,228/mo
Population
12,087
College Educated
9.1%
Homeownership
45.1%
Avg Commute
23.1 min
Poverty Rate
20.7%
Median Age
30
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bellwood Elementary North Chesterfield, VA | 2.1 |
| Laburnum Elementary Richmond, VA | 2.1 |
| Oak Grove/Bellemeade Elementary Richmond, VA | 2.1 |
| Pleasants Lane Elementary Petersburg, VA | 2.1 |
| Bensley Elementary North Chesterfield, VA | 2.0 |
| Douglass Park Elementary Portsmouth, VA | 2.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cradock Elementary
What grades does Cradock Elementary serve?
Cradock Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Cradock Elementary?
Cradock Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 606 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cradock Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Cradock Elementary is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cradock Elementary rank in VA?
Cradock Elementary ranks #1,835 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is Cradock Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cradock Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Cradock Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cradock Elementary has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Cradock Elementary a charter school?
No, Cradock Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cradock Elementary a Title I school?
No, Cradock Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cradock Elementary?
100.0% of students at Cradock Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 606
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Portsmouth city
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.3%
- Phone
- (757) 558-2811
Resources & Links
District
Portsmouth City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 13,161
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,888
- District Rank
- #21 of 22
Other Schools in This District
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