Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#1731 of 1,851 schools in VA

St. Helena Elementary

Elementary School · Norfolk City Public Schools

903 S Main St, Norfolk, VA 23523

Enrollment

230

Student-Teacher

11.5:1

Score

3.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,731 of 1,851

In Norfolk

#39 of 44

public schools

In district

#39 of 44

Norfolk City Public Schools

School environment

8.1 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around St. Helena 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.

St. Helena Elementary

3.3/10

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

Court Street Academy

Nearby

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

Ruffner School

3.1/10

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

About St. Helena Elementary

St. Helena Elementary is a public elementary school in Norfolk, VA, part of Norfolk City Public Schools. St.

Helena Elementary serves approximately 230 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio. St. Helena Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,731 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for St. Helena Elementary show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts below district
  • This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.4
  • VA avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.52 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-31.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.7 pts
Overall Proficiency48% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)63% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-15.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,341
Chronic Absenteeism24.3%

St. Helena Elementary — Students at St. Helena Elementary score 48% 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

99.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 45.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.5% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 52.3% (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

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
42%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2017
ELA
42%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
27%
2025
Math
42.3%
ELA
54.5%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How St. Helena Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.3/10
7th percentile in VA
Academic
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.1/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.3%

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

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. THE WILLIAMS SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is GHENT MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rena B. Wright Primary (rated 6.8/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Chesapeake), which scores notably higher. 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 3.1
Berkley/Campostella Early Childhood Education Center Norfolk 1.1 mi 4.6
Rena B. Wright Primary Chesapeake 1.4 mi 6.8
FIRST BAPTIST READY ACADEMY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Norfolk 1.5 mi 4.6
Truitt Intermediate Chesapeake 1.5 mi 4.3
P.B. Young Sr. Elementary Norfolk 1.7 mi 2.9
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 5.7
THE HAGUE SCHOOL Norfolk 1.8 mi 6.8
GHENT MONTESSORI SCHOOL Norfolk 1.9 mi 6.9
Brighton Elementary Portsmouth 1.6 mi 3.5
Booker T Washington High Norfolk 1.9 mi 5.7
THE WILLIAMS SCHOOL Norfolk 2.0 mi 8.0
Park View Elementary Portsmouth 1.7 mi 4.0
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 5.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Fulks Run Elementary Fulks Run, VA 3.2
Lincoln Terrace Elementary Roanoke, VA 3.4
Bellevue Elementary Richmond, VA 3.1
Clark Elementary Charlottesville, VA 3.5
Pleasant Valley Elementary Harrisonburg, VA 3.5
Elkton Elementary Elkton, VA 3.0

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 ranks #1,731 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is St. Helena Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

St. Helena Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 St. Helena Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, St. Helena Elementary has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
59 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
40 Some Transit
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.3%

District

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

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.