Very Good
#531 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 29% in state
St. Helena Elementary
Elementary School · Norfolk City Public Schools
903 S Main St, Norfolk, VA 23523
Enrollment
230
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
230
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Norfolk
#10 of 44
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#292 of 1,147
In district
#10 of 44
Norfolk City Public Schools
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About St. Helena Elementary
St. Helena Elementary serves 230 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Norfolk, Virginia. With 20 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.5 to 1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom.
The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #217 out of 1,856 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 88th percentile among Virginia schools. This strong ranking reflects the dedication of the school community to student success. St.
Helena Elementary is situated in the 23523 ZIP code area, a neighborhood where the median household income is $34,201 and the median home value is $205,100. The community faces economic challenges, with a poverty rate of 34.7% and 12% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Despite these socioeconomic factors, the school's impressive state ranking demonstrates its commitment to providing quality education and supporting student achievement.
Located on South Main Street in Norfolk, St. Helena Elementary operates as a regular public school within this mid-size city, serving families in a diverse urban community that values educational opportunity and growth.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at St. Helena 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
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St. Helena Elementary — Students at St. Helena Elementary score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.7/10.
How St. Helena Elementary Compares
See how St. Helena Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 42% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 54% (2025).
Location
903 S Main St, Norfolk, VA 23523
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering St. Helena Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Southside STEM Academy at Campostella (rated 8.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is THE WILLIAMS SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Rena B. Wright Primary (rated 7.2/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Chesapeake), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Norfolk, see our Norfolk schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| COURT STREET ACADEMY Portsmouth | 1.0 mi | — |
| Ruffner School Norfolk | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Berkley/Campostella Early Childhood Education Center Norfolk | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Rena B. Wright Primary Chesapeake | 1.4 mi | 7.2 |
| FIRST BAPTIST READY ACADEMY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Norfolk | 1.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Truitt Intermediate Chesapeake | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| P.B. Young Sr. Elementary Norfolk | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| HARBOR POINT BEHAVIOR HEALTH CENTER Portsmouth | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| HARBOR POINT ACADEMY Portsmouth | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Southside STEM Academy at Campostella Norfolk | 1.4 mi | 8.6 |
| THE HAGUE SCHOOL Norfolk | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| GHENT MONTESSORI SCHOOL Norfolk | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Brighton Elementary Portsmouth | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Booker T Washington High Norfolk | 1.9 mi | 5.9 |
| THE WILLIAMS SCHOOL Norfolk | 2.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Park View Elementary Portsmouth | 1.7 mi | 4.1 |
| ROADSTEAD MONTESORRI HIGH SCHOOL Norfolk | 2.0 mi | — |
| YESHIVA AISH KODOSH TALMUDICAL ACADEMY Norfolk | 2.1 mi | — |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN PRESCHOOL Norfolk | 2.1 mi | — |
| Oscar Smith Middle Chesapeake | 2.1 mi | 8.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 23523 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$37,189
Median Home Value
$222,000
Median Rent
$986/mo
Population
7,698
College Educated
12.7%
Homeownership
34.1%
Poverty Rate
37.8%
Median Age
32.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding St. Helena Elementary has a median household income of $37,189. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $222,000, with a median rent of $986/month. The area has a poverty rate of 37.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALEXANDRIA COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Alexandria, VA | 7.3 |
| EDLIN SCHOOL Reston, VA | 7.3 |
| Nickelsville Elementary Nickelsville, VA | 7.3 |
| Snow Creek Elementary Penhook, VA | 7.3 |
| Boyce Elementary Boyce, VA | 7.2 |
| Clearbrook Elementary Roanoke, VA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about St. Helena Elementary
What grades does St. Helena Elementary serve?
St. Helena Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend St. Helena Elementary?
St. Helena Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 230 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at St. Helena Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at St. Helena Elementary is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does St. Helena Elementary rank in VA?
St. Helena Elementary is ranked #531 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is St. Helena Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
St. Helena Elementary has a composite rating of 7.3 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 St. Helena Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, St. Helena Elementary has 36.4% math proficiency and 47.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is St. Helena Elementary a charter school?
No, St. Helena Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is St. Helena Elementary a Title I school?
No, St. Helena Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for St. Helena Elementary?
99.6% of students at St. Helena 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
- 59 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 40 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 47 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
- 230
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Norfolk city
- Phone
- (757) 494-3884
- 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
- #10 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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