Average
#1128 of 1,850 schools in VA
Northern Shores Elementary
Elementary School · Suffolk City Public Schools
6701 Respass Beach Rd, Suffolk, VA 23435
Enrollment
837
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
837
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Suffolk
#10 of 18
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#606 of 1,147
In district
#11 of 19
Suffolk City Public Schools
Equity
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Northern Shores Elementary
Northern Shores Elementary serves students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Suffolk, Virginia, with an enrollment of 837 students. Located at 6701 Respass Beach Road in a large suburban area, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1 with 46 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Northern Shores performs solidly in core subjects.
Students demonstrate strong proficiency in English Language Arts and reading, with 80% of students performing at or above grade level across grade spans. Mathematics results are equally encouraging, with 82% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency benchmarks. The school's overall academic score of 7.2 out of 10 reflects consistent student development in fundamental skills.
With a MySchoolScout Rating of 6.4 out of 10, Northern Shores ranks #699 among Virginia's 1,856 schools, placing it in the 62nd percentile statewide. This positioning indicates a school with solid foundational performance and room for continued growth. Northern Shores Elementary is situated in a large suburban community, making it accessible to families throughout the greater Suffolk area seeking a neighborhood elementary school with a focus on reading and mathematics fundamentals.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Northern Shores Elementary — Students at Northern Shores Elementary score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.8%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 6.6/10.
How Northern Shores Elementary Compares
See how Northern Shores Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 90% (2019) to 85% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 85% (2019) to 79% (2025).
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 7.4/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Chesapeake), which scores notably higher. Another option is TORAS CHAIM (rated 6.1/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Portsmouth), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Western Branch Intermediate (rated 5.8/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Chesapeake), with a very similar 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 | 6.5 |
| Churchland Primary & Intermediate Portsmouth | 1.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Churchland Preschool Center Portsmouth | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Churchland Academy Elementary Portsmouth | 1.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Churchland Middle Portsmouth | 1.9 mi | 5.1 |
| SWEETHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Portsmouth | 2.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Western Branch Middle Chesapeake | 2.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Churchland High Portsmouth | 2.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Western Branch High Chesapeake | 3.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Churchland Elementary Portsmouth | 2.8 mi | 4.6 |
| ALDERSGATE NEW CREATION UMC KINDER PREP Chesapeake | 3.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Western Branch Primary Chesapeake | 3.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Western Branch Intermediate Chesapeake | 3.2 mi | 5.8 |
| CHRISTOPHER ACADEMY Portsmouth | 3.1 mi | 4.6 |
| TORAS CHAIM Portsmouth | 3.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Creekside Elementary Suffolk | 3.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Olive Branch Preschool Center Portsmouth | 4.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Edwin W. Chittum Elementary Chesapeake | 5.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Simonsdale Elementary Portsmouth | 5.1 mi | 3.9 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northern Shores Elementary has a median household income of $107,833. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $374,500, with a median rent of $1,838/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Bristow Run Elementary Bristow, VA | 6.0 |
| C.E. Curtis Elementary Chester, VA | 6.0 |
| Cub Run Elementary Centreville, VA | 6.0 |
| Deep Creek Elementary Chesapeake, VA | 6.0 |
| Garrisonville Elementary Stafford, VA | 6.0 |
| High Point Elementary Bristol, VA | 6.0 |
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 is ranked #1128 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Northern Shores Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Northern Shores Elementary has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Northern Shores Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northern Shores Elementary has 81.8% math proficiency and 79.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,953/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Suffolk). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (757) 923-4169
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Suffolk City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 14,520
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,431
- District Rank
- #11 of 19
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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