Ruffner School

Ruffner School serves 540 students in grades 3 through 8 in Norfolk, Virginia, operating as a middle school with a strong academic reputation. With 52 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 10.4:1, allowing for more personalized attention and smaller class sizes than many public schools. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #216 out of 1,856 schools statewide, placing it in the impressive 88th percentile among Virginia schools.

This high ranking demonstrates the school's commitment to academic excellence and effective teaching practices. Ruffner School is located on May Avenue in the 23504 ZIP code area, serving a diverse community where families face both opportunities and challenges. The neighborhood has a median household income of $39,611 and a median home value of $243,200, with 22% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

While 34.8% of the community experiences poverty, the school's strong performance suggests it successfully supports students from varying backgrounds in achieving academic success. The school operates within Norfolk's mid-size city environment, providing students with access to urban resources while maintaining a focused educational community.

While current test scores at Ruffner School 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.