Very Good
#621 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 34% in state
Richard Bowling Elementary
Elementary School · Norfolk City Public Schools
2700 E. Princess Anne Rd., Norfolk, VA 23504
Enrollment
462
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
462
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Norfolk
#11 of 44
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#336 of 1,147
In district
#11 of 44
Norfolk City Public Schools
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Richard Bowling Elementary
Richard Bowling Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Norfolk, Virginia, offering education from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 462 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child. The dedicated staff includes 36 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students' learning.
Academically, Richard Bowling Elementary has room for growth. According to MySchoolScout's rating system, the school scores a 4.2 out of 10 overall and is ranked 1357th out of 1856 schools in Virginia. In terms of test performance, 48% of students are proficient or above in both English Language Arts/Reading and Math.
While the specific neighborhood details around Richard Bowling Elementary aren't available, the school's setting within a mid-size city offers diverse opportunities for learning and community engagement. Whether through local cultural events, field trips to nearby attractions, or partnerships with area organizations, the surrounding urban environment provides an enriching backdrop for students' educational experiences.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Richard Bowling 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Richard Bowling Elementary — Students at Richard Bowling Elementary score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100.6%
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: 9.2/10.
How Richard Bowling Elementary Compares
See how Richard Bowling Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 61% (2019) to 53% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 45% (2019) to 53% (2025).
Location
2700 E. Princess Anne Rd., Norfolk, VA 23504
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Richard Bowling Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Southside STEM Academy at Campostella (rated 8.6/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lindenwood Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Ghent K-8 (rated 7.8/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Norfolk, see our Norfolk schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Jacox Elementary Norfolk | 0.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Booker T Washington High Norfolk | 0.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Chesterfield Elementary Norfolk | 0.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Lindenwood Elementary Norfolk | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Ingleside Elementary Norfolk | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Coleman Place Elementary Norfolk | 1.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Ruffner School Norfolk | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Norfolk | 1.8 mi | 7.0 |
| P.B. Young Sr. Elementary Norfolk | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Southside STEM Academy at Campostella Norfolk | 1.8 mi | 8.6 |
| FIRST BAPTIST READY ACADEMY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Norfolk | 1.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Academy for Discovery at Lakewood Norfolk | 1.9 mi | 8.8 |
| Sherwood Forest Elementary Norfolk | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Berkley/Campostella Early Childhood Education Center Norfolk | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Ghent K-8 Norfolk | 1.8 mi | 7.8 |
| NORFOLK COLLEGIATE SCHOOL Norfolk | 2.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Willard Elementary Norfolk | 2.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Matthew Fontaine Maury High Norfolk | 2.0 mi | 6.5 |
| DOMINION ACADEMY Norfolk | 2.1 mi | 8.2 |
| GHENT MONTESSORI SCHOOL Norfolk | 2.0 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 23504 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$43,156
Median Home Value
$259,500
Median Rent
$872/mo
Population
24,052
College Educated
24.3%
Homeownership
35.1%
Avg Commute
20.2 min
Poverty Rate
35.1%
Median Age
28.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Richard Bowling Elementary has a median household income of $43,156. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $259,500, with a median rent of $872/month. The area has a poverty rate of 35.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Auburn Elementary Riner, VA | 7.1 |
| Beaverdam Elementary Beaverdam, VA | 7.1 |
| Christiansburg Primary Christiansburg, VA | 7.1 |
| Grandin Court Elementary Roanoke, VA | 7.1 |
| Greenville Elementary Nokesville, VA | 7.1 |
| Gunston Elementary Lorton, VA | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Richard Bowling Elementary
What grades does Richard Bowling Elementary serve?
Richard Bowling Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Richard Bowling Elementary?
Richard Bowling Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 462 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Richard Bowling Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Richard Bowling Elementary is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Richard Bowling Elementary rank in VA?
Richard Bowling Elementary is ranked #621 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Richard Bowling Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Richard Bowling Elementary has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Richard Bowling Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Richard Bowling Elementary has 48.0% math proficiency and 48.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Richard Bowling Elementary a charter school?
No, Richard Bowling Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Richard Bowling Elementary a Title I school?
No, Richard Bowling Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Richard Bowling Elementary?
100.6% of students at Richard Bowling 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
- Walk Score
- 36 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 47 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 45 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,246/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Norfolk). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 462
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Norfolk city
- Phone
- (757) 628-2515
- 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
- #11 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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