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Below Average

#1442 of 1,851 schools in VA

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

4.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,442 of 1,851

In Norfolk

#30 of 44

public schools

In district

#30 of 44

Norfolk City Public Schools

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Richard Bowling Elementary

4.7/10

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

Jacox Elementary

3.0/10

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

Booker T Washington High

5.7/10

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

About Richard Bowling Elementary

Richard Bowling Elementary is a public elementary school in Norfolk, VA, part of Norfolk City Public Schools. Richard Bowling Elementary serves approximately 462 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Richard Bowling Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,442 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Richard Bowling Elementary show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.4
  • VA avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.3Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.36 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency53% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-20.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.7 pts
Overall Proficiency53% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)63% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-10.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,341
Chronic Absenteeism20.8%

Richard Bowling Elementary — Students at Richard Bowling Elementary score 53% 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

100.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 48.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.5% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 53.8% (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

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
34%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
30%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
46%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
60%
ELA
58%
2015
Math
46%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
49%
ELA
60%
2017
ELA
58%
2018
Math
61%
ELA
45%
2019
Math
61%
ELA
45%
2020*
Math
13%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
13%
ELA
30%
2025
Math
53.5%
ELA
53.5%

* 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: 4.3/10.

How Richard Bowling Elementary Compares

See how Richard Bowling Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
22th percentile in VA
Academic
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.3/10
Below Average
Environment
7.9/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
101%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.8%

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

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. CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is GHENT MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ghent K-8 (rated 6.8/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably 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 3.0
Booker T Washington High Norfolk 0.6 mi 5.7
Chesterfield Elementary Norfolk 0.9 mi 2.9
Lindenwood Elementary Norfolk 1.1 mi 6.0
Ingleside Elementary Norfolk 1.1 mi 5.8
Coleman Place Elementary Norfolk 1.3 mi 3.1
Ruffner School Norfolk 1.2 mi 3.1
CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Norfolk 1.8 mi 7.0
P.B. Young Sr. Elementary Norfolk 1.5 mi 2.9
Southside STEM Academy at Campostella Norfolk 1.8 mi 5.7
FIRST BAPTIST READY ACADEMY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Norfolk 1.5 mi 4.6
Academy for Discovery at Lakewood Norfolk 1.9 mi 9.3
Sherwood Forest Elementary Norfolk 1.7 mi 5.0
Berkley/Campostella Early Childhood Education Center Norfolk 2.0 mi 4.6
Ghent K-8 Norfolk 1.8 mi 6.8
NORFOLK COLLEGIATE SCHOOL Norfolk 2.2 mi 7.1
Willard Elementary Norfolk 2.2 mi 6.8
Matthew Fontaine Maury High Norfolk 2.0 mi 6.7
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Blackstone Primary Blackstone, VA 4.7
Central Elementary Amherst, VA 4.7
Chase City Elementary Chase City, VA 4.7
Forest Grove Elementary Sterling, VA 4.7
Peak View Elementary Penn Laird, VA 4.7
R. Dean Kilby Elementary Woodbridge, VA 4.7

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 ranks #1,442 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Richard Bowling Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Richard Bowling Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 Richard Bowling Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Richard Bowling Elementary has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
36 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
47 Some Transit
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.8%

District

Norfolk City Public Schools
District Enrollment
26,882
Schools in District
49
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,341
District Rank
#30 of 44

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