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Very Good

#582 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 31% in state

Florence Bowser Elementary

Elementary School · Suffolk City Public Schools

4540 Nansemond Pkwy, Suffolk, VA 23435

Enrollment

874

Student-Teacher

19.9:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Suffolk

#3 of 18

public schools

Virginia elementary schools

#317 of 1,147

In district

#3 of 19

Suffolk City Public Schools

Academic growth

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Florence Bowser Elementary

Florence Bowser Elementary serves 874 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Suffolk, Virginia. This regular public school operates with 44 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 19.9:1. The school currently ranks #1817 out of 1856 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 2nd percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10, indicating significant room for academic growth.

While specific test score data isn't available, the school's ranking suggests ongoing efforts are needed to strengthen student achievement and educational outcomes. Florence Bowser Elementary draws families from a well-established community where the median household income reaches $107,800 and median home values average $357,300. The surrounding area shows strong educational values, with 43% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains economic stability with a poverty rate of just 7.9%.

Located on Nansemond Parkway, the school serves students in ZIP code 23435, an area with over 33,000 residents. The combination of community resources and family income levels suggests potential for supporting enhanced educational programming as the school works toward improving student performance. Florence Bowser Elementary sits in a rural setting near town, providing students with a quieter learning environment while maintaining access to broader Suffolk city amenities.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Florence Bowser Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress10.0Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+3.31 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.4Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency78%
Reading/ELA Proficiency76%
Math vs. State Avg+4.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.3 pts
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)75%
vs. Expected+2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.4Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,163

Florence Bowser Elementary — Students at Florence Bowser Elementary score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 72.6%
School
State
73.5%
ELA Proficiency 75.6%
School
State
72.2%

Based on 10 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2021*
Math
52%
ELA
75%
2025
Math
77.8%
ELA
75.8%

* 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: 10.0/10.

How Florence Bowser Elementary Compares

See how Florence Bowser Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
69th percentile in VA
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
10.0/10
Above average
Environment
1.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers

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. Southwestern Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Chesapeake), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Oakland Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 5.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Edwin W. Chittum Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Chesapeake), with a very similar rating. 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 7.5
Nansemond River High Suffolk 2.2 mi 6.1
Creekside Elementary Suffolk 2.4 mi 4.5
Nansemond Parkway Elementary Suffolk 2.8 mi 5.5
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 8.5
Edwin W. Chittum Elementary Chesapeake 4.7 mi 7.4
Mack Benn Jr. Elementary Suffolk 5.6 mi 6.6
Western Branch High Chesapeake 4.9 mi 6.3
Hillpoint Elementary Suffolk 5.3 mi 4.1
Western Branch Primary Chesapeake 5.1 mi 5.6
Western Branch Middle Chesapeake 5.2 mi 6.9
Southwestern Elementary Chesapeake 5.3 mi 7.6
Western Branch Intermediate Chesapeake 5.3 mi 5.8
Colonel Fred Cherry Middle Suffolk 5.8 mi 6.5
Oakland Elementary Suffolk 5.7 mi 7.5
Northern Shores Elementary Suffolk 6.3 mi 6.0
Hodges Manor Elementary Portsmouth 6.0 mi 2.4
King's Fork High Suffolk 6.3 mi 7.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Florence Bowser Elementary has a median household income of $107,833. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $374,500, with a median rent of $1,838/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Alanton Elementary Virginia Beach, VA 7.2
Catoctin Elementary Leesburg, VA 7.2
Dranesville Elementary Herndon, VA 7.2
Flat Rock Elementary Powhatan, VA 7.2
Meadowview Elementary Meadowview, VA 7.2
Pearl Sample Elementary Culpeper, VA 7.2

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 is ranked #582 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Florence Bowser Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Florence Bowser Elementary has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Florence Bowser Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Florence Bowser Elementary has 72.6% math proficiency and 75.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,953/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Suffolk). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Suffolk City Public Schools
District Enrollment
14,520
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,431
District Rank
#3 of 19

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 methodology

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