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Very Good

#331 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 18% in state

James Monroe Elementary

Elementary School · Norfolk City Public Schools

520 W 29th St, Norfolk, VA 23508

Enrollment

262

Student-Teacher

9:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Norfolk

#8 of 44

public schools

Virginia elementary schools

#184 of 1,147

In district

#8 of 44

Norfolk City Public Schools

Academic growth

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About James Monroe Elementary

James Monroe Elementary serves 262 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Norfolk, Virginia. With 29 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an impressive 9.0-to-1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #219 out of 1,856 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 88th percentile among Virginia schools.

This strong showing reflects the school's commitment to providing quality elementary education in Norfolk's public school system. James Monroe Elementary draws families from a diverse neighborhood where the median household income is $73,075 and 56% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The community shows a mix of economic backgrounds, with an 18% poverty rate, creating an environment where students from various circumstances learn together.

Located on West 29th Street in Norfolk's 23508 ZIP code area, where median home values reach $379,300, the school serves as an educational anchor in this mid-size city community. The combination of small class sizes and the school's strong academic standing makes James Monroe Elementary a notable choice for families seeking quality public elementary education in Norfolk.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at James Monroe Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, James Monroe Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress10.0Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.56 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics3.4Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56%
Reading/ELA Proficiency58%
Math vs. State Avg-17.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.7 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected-10.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,257

James Monroe Elementary — Students at James Monroe Elementary score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 45.4%
School
State
73.5%
ELA Proficiency 48.5%
School
State
72.2%

Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2025
Math
55.8%
ELA
58%

* 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 James Monroe Elementary Compares

See how James Monroe Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
82th percentile in VA
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
10.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

520 W 29th St, Norfolk, VA 23508

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering James Monroe Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. THE WILLIAMS SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Ghent K-8 (rated 7.8/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lindenwood Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Norfolk, see our Norfolk schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
DOMINION ACADEMY Norfolk 0.3 mi 8.2
Blair Middle Norfolk 0.6 mi 6.2
BINA HIGH SCHOOL Norfolk 0.6 mi
Matthew Fontaine Maury High Norfolk 0.7 mi 6.5
PARK PLACE SCHOOL Norfolk 0.7 mi 4.5
Ghent K-8 Norfolk 0.8 mi 7.8
MCDONALD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Norfolk 0.8 mi 4.9
WEST GHENT SCHOOL Norfolk 0.9 mi
Walter Herron Taylor Elementary Norfolk 0.9 mi 6.2
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN PRESCHOOL Norfolk 1.1 mi
YESHIVA AISH KODOSH TALMUDICAL ACADEMY Norfolk 1.2 mi
ROADSTEAD MONTESORRI HIGH SCHOOL Norfolk 1.2 mi
Larchmont Elementary Norfolk 1.2 mi 6.1
GHENT MONTESSORI SCHOOL Norfolk 1.3 mi 6.9
ST PATRICK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Norfolk 1.2 mi 6.6
THE WILLIAMS SCHOOL Norfolk 1.3 mi 8.0
THE HAGUE SCHOOL Norfolk 1.4 mi 6.8
Lindenwood Elementary Norfolk 1.2 mi 7.8
P.B. Young Sr. Elementary Norfolk 1.5 mi 6.9
FIRST BAPTIST READY ACADEMY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Norfolk 1.6 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23508 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,524

Median Home Value

$384,800

Median Rent

$1,381/mo

Population

20,119

College Educated

55.6%

Homeownership

50.9%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

17.3%

Median Age

23.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding James Monroe Elementary has a median household income of $74,524. It is a well-educated community where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $384,800, with a median rent of $1,381/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.3%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Axton Elementary Axton, VA 7.8
Garfield Elementary Springfield, VA 7.8
Kiptopeke Elementary Cape Charles, VA 7.8
Lindenwood Elementary Norfolk, VA 7.8
Lois Harrison-Jones Elementary Richmond, VA 7.8
Mason's Cove Elementary Salem, VA 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about James Monroe Elementary

What grades does James Monroe Elementary serve?

James Monroe Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend James Monroe Elementary?

James Monroe Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 262 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at James Monroe Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at James Monroe Elementary is 9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does James Monroe Elementary rank in VA?

James Monroe Elementary is ranked #331 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is James Monroe Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

James Monroe Elementary has a composite rating of 7.8 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 James Monroe Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Monroe Elementary has 45.4% math proficiency and 48.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is James Monroe Elementary a charter school?

No, James Monroe Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is James Monroe Elementary a Title I school?

No, James Monroe Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Monroe Elementary?

100.0% of students at James Monroe 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
81 Very Walkable
Transit Score
47 Some Transit
City Safety
High (4,246/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
262
Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Norfolk city
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Norfolk City Public Schools
District Enrollment
26,882
Schools in District
49
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,341
District Rank
#8 of 44

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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