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Needs Improvement

#1846 of 1,851 schools in VA

Waterview Elementary

Elementary School · Portsmouth City Public Schools

3649 Hartford St, Portsmouth, VA 23707

Enrollment

614

Student-Teacher

16.2:1

Score

1.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,846 of 1,851

In Portsmouth

#22 of 22

public schools

In district

#22 of 22

Portsmouth City Public Schools

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Waterview Elementary

1.7/10

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

Mount Hermon Preschool Center

4.4/10

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

Westhaven Elementary

2.7/10

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

About Waterview Elementary

Waterview Elementary is a public elementary school in Portsmouth, VA, part of Portsmouth City Public Schools. Waterview Elementary serves approximately 614 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Waterview Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 1.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,846 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Waterview Elementary show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.7 pts below district
  • This school 1.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.4
  • VA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

39% of students at Waterview Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.69 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.7Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-33.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-37.7 pts
Overall Proficiency39% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)63% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-24.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
Resources & Environment1.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,888
Chronic Absenteeism39.3%

Waterview Elementary — Students at Waterview Elementary score 39% 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

99.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 53.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
71.7% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 55.0% (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
79%
2010
Math
84%
ELA
80%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
63%
ELA
64%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
56%
2014
Math
61%
ELA
63%
2015
Math
65%
ELA
64%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
63%
2017
ELA
61%
2018
Math
65%
ELA
59%
2019
Math
65%
ELA
59%
2020*
Math
19%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
19%
ELA
36%
2025
Math
40%
ELA
37.6%

* 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: 1.6/10.

How Waterview Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
1.7/10
0th percentile in VA
Academic
1.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
1.7/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
39.3%

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

3649 Hartford St, Portsmouth, VA 23707

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Waterview Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PORTSMOUTH CATHOLIC REGIONAL SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.5/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, TORAS CHAIM (rated 6.1/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Portsmouth, see our Portsmouth schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Mount Hermon Preschool Center Portsmouth 0.5 mi 4.4
Westhaven Elementary Portsmouth 0.8 mi 2.7
PORTSMOUTH CATHOLIC REGIONAL SCHOOL Portsmouth 1.6 mi 6.8
Simonsdale Elementary Portsmouth 1.5 mi 4.1
Douglass Park Elementary Portsmouth 1.7 mi 2.2
I.C. Norcom High Portsmouth 1.6 mi 5.5
PORTSMOUTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Portsmouth 2.1 mi 5.7
TORAS CHAIM Portsmouth 1.8 mi 6.1
TINKER BELL DAYCARE Portsmouth 2.2 mi
Park View Elementary Portsmouth 1.9 mi 4.0
ST MARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Portsmouth 2.2 mi 6.5
CHRISTOPHER ACADEMY Portsmouth 2.1 mi 4.5
Victory Elementary Portsmouth 2.4 mi 3.3
Olive Branch Preschool Center Portsmouth 2.2 mi 2.5
HARBOR POINT BEHAVIOR HEALTH CENTER Portsmouth 2.2 mi 6.6
HARBOR POINT ACADEMY Portsmouth 2.2 mi 6.6
Churchland Elementary Portsmouth 2.4 mi 5.7
SWEETHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Portsmouth 2.6 mi 4.9
Brighton Elementary Portsmouth 2.5 mi 3.5
Manor High Portsmouth 2.6 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23707 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,070

Median Home Value

$222,100

Median Rent

$1,076/mo

Population

14,311

College Educated

26%

Homeownership

56.4%

Avg Commute

22.7 min

Poverty Rate

21.5%

Median Age

38.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Highland Springs Elementary Highland Springs, VA 1.6
Southampton Elementary Richmond, VA 1.6
Glen Lea Elementary Richmond, VA 1.8
Miles Jones Elementary Richmond, VA 1.8
George W. Carver Elementary Richmond, VA 1.5
Bensley Elementary North Chesterfield, VA 2.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Waterview Elementary

What grades does Waterview Elementary serve?

Waterview Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Waterview Elementary?

Waterview Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 614 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Waterview Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Waterview Elementary is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Waterview Elementary rank in VA?

Waterview Elementary ranks #1,846 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Waterview Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Waterview Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 1.7 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 Waterview Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Waterview Elementary has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Waterview Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Waterview Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

99.7% of students at Waterview 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
36 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
34 Some Transit
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
614
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Portsmouth city
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
39.3%

District

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

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