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Below Average

#1539 of 1,851 schools in VA

L.f. Palmer Elementary

Elementary School · Newport News City Public Schools

100 Palmer Lane, Newport News, VA 23602

Enrollment

477

Student-Teacher

19.1:1

Score

4.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,539 of 1,851

In Newport News

#20 of 39

public schools

In district

#21 of 40

Newport News City Public Schools

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L.f. Palmer Elementary

4.3/10

Elementary School in Newport News · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hampton Roads Academy

5.9/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Kiln Creek Elementary

4.2/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About L.f. Palmer Elementary

L.f. Palmer Elementary is a public elementary school in Newport News, VA, part of Newport News City Public Schools. L.f.

Palmer Elementary serves approximately 477 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 19.1:1 student-teacher ratio. L.f. Palmer Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,539 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for L.f. Palmer Elementary show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.3
  • VA avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.2Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.13 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-14.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.7 pts
Overall Proficiency58% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)63% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-5.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,082
Chronic Absenteeism13.4%

L.f. Palmer Elementary — Students at L.f. Palmer Elementary score 58% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 59.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.5% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 59.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.2% (2025 SOL)

Based on 33 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
89%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
73%
2012
Math
43%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
49%
ELA
41%
2014
Math
59%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
66%
ELA
64%
2016
Math
72%
ELA
71%
2017
ELA
67%
2018
Math
75%
ELA
64%
2019
Math
75%
ELA
64%
2020*
Math
24%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
24%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
59.3%
ELA
56.8%

* 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: 5.2/10.

How L.f. Palmer Elementary Compares

See how L.f. Palmer Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
17th percentile in VA
Academic
4.1/10
Below Average
Growth
5.2/10
Average
Environment
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

100 Palmer Lane, Newport News, VA 23602

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering L.f. Palmer Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mount Vernon Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Yorktown), which scores notably higher. Another option is Deer Park Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Coventry Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Yorktown), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newport News, see our Newport News schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
HAMPTON ROADS ACADEMY Newport News 0.4 mi 5.9
Kiln Creek Elementary Newport News 1.0 mi 4.2
DENBIGH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newport News 1.2 mi 6.8
EAST END ACADEMY Newport News 1.4 mi 6.0
Richard T. Yates Elementary Newport News 1.4 mi 5.7
HAMPTON ROADS INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Newport News 1.6 mi 5.7
Willis A. Jenkins Elementary Newport News 1.8 mi 4.8
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DENBIGH CHILD DEVT CENTER AND Newport News 2.0 mi
Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle Newport News 2.5 mi 4.6
Deer Park Elementary Newport News 2.5 mi 7.4
Joseph H. Saunders Elementary Newport News 2.4 mi 2.2
Tabb Middle Yorktown 2.4 mi 9.1
Menchville High Newport News 2.4 mi 6.5
Watkins Early Childhood Center Newport News 2.7 mi 4.2
Hidenwood Elementary Newport News 3.1 mi 4.1
B.C. Charles Elementary Newport News 2.7 mi 5.0
Mount Vernon Elementary Yorktown 2.8 mi 7.7
Coventry Elementary Yorktown 2.7 mi 7.0
DENBIGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Newport News 3.3 mi
PENINSULA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Newport News 3.2 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23602 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,487

Median Home Value

$270,200

Median Rent

$1,446/mo

Population

42,699

College Educated

36.2%

Homeownership

51.6%

Avg Commute

24.4 min

Poverty Rate

14.1%

Median Age

34.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Cameron Elementary Alexandria, VA 4.3
Churchland Academy Elementary Portsmouth, VA 4.3
Churchland Primary & Intermediate Portsmouth, VA 4.3
Elephant's Fork Elementary Suffolk, VA 4.3
John M. Gandy Elementary Ashland, VA 4.3
Little Creek Elementary Norfolk, VA 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about L.f. Palmer Elementary

What grades does L.f. Palmer Elementary serve?

L.f. Palmer Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend L.f. Palmer Elementary?

L.f. Palmer Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 477 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at L.f. Palmer Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at L.f. Palmer Elementary is 19.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does L.f. Palmer Elementary rank in VA?

L.f. Palmer Elementary ranks #1,539 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is L.f. Palmer Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

L.f. Palmer Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 L.f. Palmer Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, L.f. Palmer Elementary has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is L.f. Palmer Elementary a charter school?

No, L.f. Palmer Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is L.f. Palmer Elementary a Title I school?

No, L.f. Palmer Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for L.f. Palmer Elementary?

100.2% of students at L.f. Palmer 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
63 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
44 Some Transit
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
477
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Newport News city
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.4%

District

Newport News City Public Schools
District Enrollment
26,183
Schools in District
43
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,082
District Rank
#21 of 40

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