Needs Improvement
#1659 of 1,850 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
3.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
477
Student-Teacher
19.1:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newport News
#34 of 39
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#968 of 1,147
In district
#35 of 40
Newport News City Public Schools
About L.f. Palmer Elementary
L.F. Palmer Elementary is a regular public school located in Newport News, Virginia, enrolling 477 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With a student-teacher ratio of 19.1:1 and 25 full-time equivalent teachers, the school offers personalized attention to each child.
L.F. Palmer Elementary focuses on foundational skills with 56% of its students meeting or exceeding proficiency in both English Language Arts/Reading and Math. While the MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 indicates room for academic growth, the school community is dedicated to supporting student development and educational needs.
Located in a mid-size city, L.F. Palmer Elementary benefits from diverse cultural and educational resources within Newport News.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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L.f. Palmer Elementary — Students at L.f. Palmer Elementary score 58% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100.2%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.9/10.
How L.f. Palmer Elementary Compares
See how L.f. Palmer Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 59% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 57% (2025).
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. Deer Park Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hidenwood Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mount Vernon Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 2.8 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 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding L.f. Palmer Elementary has a median household income of $72,487. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $270,200, with a median rent of $1,446/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Courtland Elementary Spotsylvania, VA | 3.9 |
| Fairview Elementary Roanoke, VA | 3.9 |
| Farmington Elementary Culpeper, VA | 3.9 |
| Harrowgate Elementary Chester, VA | 3.9 |
| Jackson Davis Elementary Richmond, VA | 3.9 |
| Knollwood Meadows Elementary Newport News, VA | 3.9 |
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 is ranked #1659 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is L.f. Palmer Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
L.f. Palmer Elementary has a composite rating of 3.9 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 L.f. Palmer Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, L.f. Palmer Elementary has 56.0% math proficiency and 55.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,173/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newport News). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (757) 881-5000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newport News City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 26,183
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,082
- District Rank
- #35 of 40
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
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