Needs Improvement
#1662 of 1,850 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
3.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
609
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Portsmouth
#16 of 22
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#971 of 1,147
In district
#16 of 22
Portsmouth City Public Schools
School environment
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Simonsdale Elementary
Simonsdale Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Portsmouth, Virginia. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 609 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1 with 49 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Simonsdale places it in the 20th percentile among schools in Virginia, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.7 out of 10.
In terms of proficiency rates, 65% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 53% reach this level in Math. Though Simonsdale Elementary has room for academic growth, it offers a supportive learning environment with dedicated educators committed to student development. The school is situated in a small city setting where the community plays an active role in supporting educational endeavors.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Simonsdale Elementary — Students at Simonsdale Elementary score 58% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
101%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 14 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.5/10.
How Simonsdale Elementary Compares
See how Simonsdale Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 78% (2019) to 52% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 64% (2025).
Location
4841 Clifford Street, Portsmouth, VA 23701
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Simonsdale Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PORTSMOUTH CATHOLIC REGIONAL SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.5/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, TORAS CHAIM (rated 6.1/10, 1.6 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 | 4.5 |
| Westhaven Elementary Portsmouth | 1.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Manor High Portsmouth | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Hodges Manor Elementary Portsmouth | 1.3 mi | 2.4 |
| Waterview Elementary Portsmouth | 1.5 mi | 2.2 |
| TORAS CHAIM Portsmouth | 1.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Douglass Park Elementary Portsmouth | 1.6 mi | 3.5 |
| Mount Hermon Preschool Center Portsmouth | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Lakeview Elementary Portsmouth | 2.0 mi | 3.8 |
| PORTSMOUTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Portsmouth | 1.8 mi | 5.7 |
| CHRISTOPHER ACADEMY Portsmouth | 2.1 mi | 4.6 |
| William E. Waters Middle Portsmouth | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Victory Elementary Portsmouth | 2.2 mi | 3.2 |
| Churchland Elementary Portsmouth | 2.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Western Branch Intermediate Chesapeake | 2.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Western Branch Primary Chesapeake | 2.4 mi | 5.6 |
| ST MARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Portsmouth | 2.4 mi | 6.5 |
| SWEETHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Portsmouth | 3.0 mi | 4.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Simonsdale Elementary has a median household income of $63,389. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $218,900, with a median rent of $1,313/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Courtland Elementary Spotsylvania, VA | 3.9 |
| Fairview Elementary Roanoke, VA | 3.9 |
| Farmington Elementary Culpeper, VA | 3.9 |
| Harrowgate Elementary Chester, VA | 3.9 |
| Jackson Davis Elementary Richmond, VA | 3.9 |
| Knollwood Meadows Elementary Newport News, VA | 3.9 |
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 is ranked #1662 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Simonsdale Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Simonsdale Elementary has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Simonsdale Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Simonsdale Elementary has 52.6% math proficiency and 64.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,615/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Portsmouth). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (757) 465-2917
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Portsmouth City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 13,161
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,888
- District Rank
- #16 of 22
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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