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
Enrollment
874
Student-Teacher
19.9:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Florence Bowser Elementary — Students at Florence Bowser Elementary score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).
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 10 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 10.0/10.
How Florence Bowser Elementary Compares
See how Florence Bowser Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 52% (2021) to 78% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 75% (2021) to 76% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (757) 923-4106
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Suffolk City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 14,520
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,431
- District Rank
- #3 of 19
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.