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Average

#821 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 44% in state

Northern Shores Elementary

Elementary School · Suffolk City Public Schools

6701 Respass Beach Rd, Suffolk, VA 23435

Enrollment

837

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#821 of 1,851

In Suffolk

#5 of 19

public schools

In district

#5 of 19

Suffolk City Public Schools

Equity

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Northern Shores Elementary

6.7/10

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

Colonel Fred Cherry Middle

5.3/10

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

Churchland Primary & Intermediate

4.3/10

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

About Northern Shores Elementary

Northern Shores Elementary is a public elementary school in Suffolk, VA, part of Suffolk City Public Schools. Northern Shores Elementary serves approximately 837 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Northern Shores Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #821 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Northern Shores Elementary show 83% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts above district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 5.4
  • VA avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.65 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency85% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency79% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg+11.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.3 pts
Overall Proficiency82% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)72% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+10.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
Resources & Environment3.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,431
Chronic Absenteeism7.6%

Northern Shores Elementary — Students at Northern Shores Elementary score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 82.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.5% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 82.1% (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

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
95%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
95%
ELA
89%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
94%
2012
Math
81%
ELA
80%
2013
Math
76%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
82%
ELA
80%
2015
Math
83%
ELA
80%
2016
Math
84%
ELA
84%
2017
ELA
83%
2018
Math
90%
ELA
85%
2019
Math
90%
ELA
85%
2020*
Math
61%
ELA
76%
2021*
Math
61%
ELA
76%
2025
Math
85%
ELA
79.3%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Northern Shores Elementary Compares

See how Northern Shores Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
56th percentile in VA
Academic
8.3/10
Excellent
Growth
7.1/10
Very Good
Environment
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
46 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
7.6%

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

6701 Respass Beach Rd, Suffolk, VA 23435

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northern Shores Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Edwin W. Chittum Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Chesapeake), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Western Branch Intermediate (rated 7.2/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Chesapeake), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, TORAS CHAIM (rated 6.1/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Portsmouth), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Suffolk, see our Suffolk schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Colonel Fred Cherry Middle Suffolk 0.5 mi 5.3
Churchland Primary & Intermediate Portsmouth 1.6 mi 4.3
Churchland Preschool Center Portsmouth 1.8 mi 4.6
Churchland Academy Elementary Portsmouth 1.9 mi 4.3
Churchland Middle Portsmouth 1.9 mi 5.3
SWEETHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Portsmouth 2.4 mi 4.9
Western Branch Middle Chesapeake 2.8 mi 7.0
Churchland High Portsmouth 2.4 mi 6.8
Western Branch High Chesapeake 3.0 mi 7.1
Churchland Elementary Portsmouth 2.8 mi 5.7
ALDERSGATE NEW CREATION UMC KINDER PREP Chesapeake 3.1 mi 4.6
Western Branch Primary Chesapeake 3.1 mi 5.9
Western Branch Intermediate Chesapeake 3.2 mi 7.2
CHRISTOPHER ACADEMY Portsmouth 3.1 mi 4.5
TORAS CHAIM Portsmouth 3.5 mi 6.1
Creekside Elementary Suffolk 3.9 mi 5.4
Olive Branch Preschool Center Portsmouth 4.7 mi 2.5
Edwin W. Chittum Elementary Chesapeake 5.5 mi 7.7
Simonsdale Elementary Portsmouth 5.1 mi 4.1
Hodges Manor Elementary Portsmouth 5.5 mi 2.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Camelot Elementary Chesapeake, VA 6.7
Cub Run Elementary Centreville, VA 6.7
Oakridge Elementary Arlington, VA 6.7
Pembroke Elementary Virginia Beach, VA 6.7
Westridge Elementary Woodbridge, VA 6.7
Yorktown Elementary Yorktown, VA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northern Shores Elementary

What grades does Northern Shores Elementary serve?

Northern Shores Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Northern Shores Elementary?

Northern Shores Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 837 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northern Shores Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Northern Shores Elementary is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northern Shores Elementary rank in VA?

Northern Shores Elementary ranks #821 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Northern Shores Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Northern Shores Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Northern Shores Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northern Shores Elementary has 83% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Northern Shores Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Northern Shores Elementary a Title I school?

No, Northern Shores Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northern Shores Elementary?

68.8% of students at Northern Shores 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
14 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
837
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
46
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Suffolk city
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
7.6%

District

Suffolk City Public Schools
District Enrollment
14,520
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,431
District Rank
#5 of 19

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