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
Enrollment
262
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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James Monroe Elementary — Students at James Monroe Elementary score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
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 12 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 James Monroe Elementary Compares
See how James Monroe Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 56% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 58% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (757) 628-3500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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