Skip to main content

Below Average

#1594 of 1,851 schools in VA

Simonsdale Elementary

Elementary School · Portsmouth City Public Schools

4841 Clifford Street, Portsmouth, VA 23701

Enrollment

609

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

4.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,594 of 1,851

In Portsmouth

#11 of 22

public schools

In district

#11 of 22

Portsmouth City Public Schools

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Simonsdale Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Simonsdale Elementary

4.1/10

Elementary School in Portsmouth · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Tinker Bell Daycare

Nearby

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

Portsmouth Catholic Regional School

6.8/10

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

About Simonsdale Elementary

Simonsdale Elementary is a public elementary school in Portsmouth, VA, part of Portsmouth City Public Schools. Simonsdale Elementary serves approximately 609 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Simonsdale Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,594 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Simonsdale Elementary show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 4.1 · Below Average
  • District avg 3.4
  • VA avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.67 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency64% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-21.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.7 pts
Overall Proficiency58% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)63% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
Resources & Environment6.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,888
Chronic Absenteeism29.2%

Simonsdale Elementary — Students at Simonsdale Elementary score 58% 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

101%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 63.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
71.7% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 72.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.3% (2025 SOL)

Based on 35 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
59%
ELA
85%
2012
Math
64%
ELA
73%
2013
Math
71%
ELA
68%
2014
Math
76%
ELA
76%
2015
Math
76%
ELA
76%
2016
Math
78%
ELA
80%
2017
ELA
79%
2018
Math
78%
ELA
77%
2019
Math
78%
ELA
77%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
51.6%
ELA
63.8%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Simonsdale Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.1/10
14th percentile in VA
Academic
4.1/10
Below Average
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
101%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.2%

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

4841 Clifford Street, Portsmouth, VA 23701

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Simonsdale Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Western Branch Intermediate (rated 7.2/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Chesapeake), which scores notably higher. Another option is PORTSMOUTH CATHOLIC REGIONAL SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST MARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.5/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Portsmouth, see our Portsmouth schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
TINKER BELL DAYCARE Portsmouth 0.9 mi
PORTSMOUTH CATHOLIC REGIONAL SCHOOL Portsmouth 0.8 mi 6.8
Olive Branch Preschool Center Portsmouth 0.9 mi 2.5
Westhaven Elementary Portsmouth 1.0 mi 2.7
Manor High Portsmouth 1.2 mi 5.4
Hodges Manor Elementary Portsmouth 1.3 mi 2.4
Waterview Elementary Portsmouth 1.5 mi 1.7
TORAS CHAIM Portsmouth 1.6 mi 6.1
Douglass Park Elementary Portsmouth 1.6 mi 2.2
Mount Hermon Preschool Center Portsmouth 1.6 mi 4.4
Lakeview Elementary Portsmouth 2.0 mi 3.4
PORTSMOUTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Portsmouth 1.8 mi 5.7
CHRISTOPHER ACADEMY Portsmouth 2.1 mi 4.5
William E. Waters Middle Portsmouth 2.3 mi 5.0
Victory Elementary Portsmouth 2.2 mi 3.3
Churchland Elementary Portsmouth 2.4 mi 5.7
Western Branch Intermediate Chesapeake 2.3 mi 7.2
Western Branch Primary Chesapeake 2.4 mi 5.9
ST MARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Portsmouth 2.4 mi 6.5
SWEETHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Portsmouth 3.0 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23701 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,389

Median Home Value

$218,900

Median Rent

$1,313/mo

Population

24,430

College Educated

22.5%

Homeownership

66.3%

Avg Commute

24.2 min

Poverty Rate

12.1%

Median Age

38.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
E. Wilson Morrison Elementary Front Royal, VA 4.1
Hidenwood Elementary Newport News, VA 4.1
Lakeside Elementary Richmond, VA 4.1
Leslie Fox Keyser Elementary Front Royal, VA 4.1
Newtown Elementary Virginia Beach, VA 4.1
Stonewall Elementary Clear Brook, VA 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Simonsdale Elementary

What grades does Simonsdale Elementary serve?

Simonsdale Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Simonsdale Elementary?

Simonsdale Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 609 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Simonsdale Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Simonsdale Elementary is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Simonsdale Elementary rank in VA?

Simonsdale Elementary ranks #1,594 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Simonsdale Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Simonsdale Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 Simonsdale Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Simonsdale Elementary has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Simonsdale Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Simonsdale Elementary a Title I school?

No, Simonsdale Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

101.0% of students at Simonsdale 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
22 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
21 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
609
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
101.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Portsmouth city
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.2%

District

Portsmouth City Public Schools
District Enrollment
13,161
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,888
District Rank
#11 of 22

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.