Average
#1250 of 1,851 schools in VA
Florence Bowser Elementary
Elementary School · Suffolk City Public Schools
4540 Nansemond Pkwy, Suffolk, VA 23435
Enrollment
874
Student-Teacher
19.9:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
874
Student-Teacher
19.9:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia schools
#1,250 of 1,851
In Suffolk
#10 of 19
public schools
In district
#10 of 19
Suffolk City Public Schools
Equity
8.0 / 10
Excellent
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Florence Bowser Elementary
Elementary School in Suffolk · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
John Yeates Middle
1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Nansemond River High
2.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Florence Bowser Elementary
Florence Bowser Elementary is a public elementary school in Suffolk, VA, part of Suffolk City Public Schools. Florence Bowser Elementary serves approximately 874 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 19.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Florence Bowser Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,250 of 1,851 schools in VA.
Structured state assessment records for Florence Bowser Elementary show 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.4 · Average
- District avg 5.4
- VA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Florence Bowser Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Florence Bowser Elementary — Students at Florence Bowser Elementary score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 29 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: 5.8/10.
How Florence Bowser Elementary Compares
See how Florence Bowser 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
4540 Nansemond Pkwy, Suffolk, VA 23435
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Florence Bowser Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Edwin W. Chittum Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Chesapeake), which scores notably higher. Another option is Western Branch Intermediate (rated 7.2/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Chesapeake), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Oakland Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 5.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Suffolk, see our Suffolk schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| John Yeates Middle Suffolk | 1.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Nansemond River High Suffolk | 2.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Creekside Elementary Suffolk | 2.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Nansemond Parkway Elementary Suffolk | 2.8 mi | 6.3 |
| STONEBRIDGE SCHOOL Chesapeake | 3.4 mi | 6.6 |
| ALDERSGATE NEW CREATION UMC KINDER PREP Chesapeake | 4.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Jolliff Middle Chesapeake | 4.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Edwin W. Chittum Elementary Chesapeake | 4.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Mack Benn Jr. Elementary Suffolk | 5.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Western Branch High Chesapeake | 4.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Hillpoint Elementary Suffolk | 5.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Western Branch Primary Chesapeake | 5.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Western Branch Middle Chesapeake | 5.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Southwestern Elementary Chesapeake | 5.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Western Branch Intermediate Chesapeake | 5.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Colonel Fred Cherry Middle Suffolk | 5.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Oakland Elementary Suffolk | 5.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Northern Shores Elementary Suffolk | 6.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Hodges Manor Elementary Portsmouth | 6.0 mi | 2.4 |
| King's Fork High Suffolk | 6.3 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 23435 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$107,833
Median Home Value
$374,500
Median Rent
$1,838/mo
Population
33,401
College Educated
42.2%
Homeownership
68.9%
Avg Commute
25.7 min
Poverty Rate
7.7%
Median Age
38.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bennett Elementary Manassas, VA | 5.4 |
| Cassell Elementary Waynesboro, VA | 5.4 |
| Chris Yung Elementary Bristow, VA | 5.4 |
| Clearview Elementary Herndon, VA | 5.4 |
| Creekside Elementary Suffolk, VA | 5.4 |
| Crossroads PreK-8 School Norfolk, VA | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Florence Bowser Elementary
What grades does Florence Bowser Elementary serve?
Florence Bowser Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Florence Bowser Elementary?
Florence Bowser Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 874 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Florence Bowser Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Florence Bowser Elementary is 19.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Florence Bowser Elementary rank in VA?
Florence Bowser Elementary ranks #1,250 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is Florence Bowser Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Florence Bowser Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Florence Bowser Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Florence Bowser Elementary has 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Florence Bowser Elementary a charter school?
No, Florence Bowser Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Florence Bowser Elementary a Title I school?
No, Florence Bowser Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Florence Bowser Elementary?
68.5% of students at Florence Bowser 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 874
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 68.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Suffolk city
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 14.8%
- Phone
- (757) 923-4106
Resources & Links
District
Suffolk City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 14,520
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,431
- District Rank
- #10 of 19
Other Schools in This District
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