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Very Good

#670 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 36% in state

Willard Elementary

Elementary School · Norfolk City Public Schools

1511 Willow Wood Dr, Norfolk, VA 23509

Enrollment

449

Student-Teacher

10.2:1

Score

7.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Norfolk

#12 of 44

public schools

Virginia elementary schools

#364 of 1,147

In district

#12 of 44

Norfolk City Public Schools

School environment

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Willard Elementary

Willard Elementary serves 449 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Norfolk, Virginia, earning a solid 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school ranks impressively at #209 out of 1,856 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 89th percentile among Virginia's elementary schools. With 44 full-time equivalent teachers, Willard maintains a favorable 10.2:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom.

This staffing level supports the school's strong academic standing within the state's competitive educational landscape. The school draws from the 23509 ZIP code area, where families enjoy a median household income of $68,540 and median home values of $226,700. The neighborhood reflects a stable community with a 12.8% poverty rate and 30% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

This ZIP code serves approximately 12,903 residents, creating a substantial local population base for the school. Willard Elementary's location on Willow Wood Drive places it within Norfolk's mid-size city environment, offering students access to urban amenities while maintaining a neighborhood school atmosphere. The combination of strong state rankings and favorable class sizes suggests families in this Norfolk community have found a reliable educational option for their elementary-aged children.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69%
Math vs. State Avg-2.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.7 pts
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)66%
vs. Expected+3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,257

Willard Elementary — Students at Willard Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

103.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 65.5%
School
State
73.5%
ELA Proficiency 66.8%
School
State
72.2%

Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2025
Math
71%
ELA
69.3%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How Willard Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
64th percentile in VA
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
103%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers

Location

1511 Willow Wood Dr, Norfolk, VA 23509

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Willard Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lindenwood Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is James Monroe Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Ghent K-8 (rated 7.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Norfolk, see our Norfolk schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Academy for Discovery at Lakewood Norfolk 0.4 mi 8.8
NORFOLK COLLEGIATE SCHOOL Norfolk 0.3 mi 7.1
CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Norfolk 0.5 mi 7.0
MCDONALD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Norfolk 0.8 mi 4.9
NORFOLK CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Norfolk 1.2 mi 6.2
Suburban Park Elementary Norfolk 1.2 mi 6.2
Lindenwood Elementary Norfolk 1.3 mi 7.8
Granby High Norfolk 1.5 mi 6.8
NORFOLK COLLEGIATE SCHOOL Norfolk 1.7 mi 5.2
Granby Elementary Norfolk 1.6 mi 5.8
Norview Middle Norfolk 1.4 mi 4.0
James Monroe Elementary Norfolk 1.6 mi 7.8
DOMINION ACADEMY Norfolk 1.7 mi 8.2
Norview Elementary Norfolk 1.6 mi 3.7
Norview High Norfolk 1.7 mi 6.0
Sherwood Forest Elementary Norfolk 1.7 mi 5.2
Coleman Place Elementary Norfolk 1.9 mi 4.0
Ghent K-8 Norfolk 2.0 mi 7.8
Jacox Elementary Norfolk 2.2 mi 6.8
ST PATRICK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Norfolk 1.8 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23509 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,715

Median Home Value

$238,500

Median Rent

$1,259/mo

Population

12,912

College Educated

28.7%

Homeownership

61.9%

Avg Commute

23.7 min

Poverty Rate

16.9%

Median Age

39.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Willard Elementary has a median household income of $70,715. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $238,500, with a median rent of $1,259/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.9%. 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
Arthur Ashe Jr. Elementary Richmond, VA 7.0
Boonsboro Elementary Lynchburg, VA 7.0
Broadus Wood Elementary Earlysville, VA 7.0
Christopher Farms Elementary Virginia Beach, VA 7.0
Concord Elementary Concord, VA 7.0
Crossfield Elementary Herndon, VA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Willard Elementary

What grades does Willard Elementary serve?

Willard Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Willard Elementary?

Willard Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 449 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Willard Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Willard Elementary is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Willard Elementary rank in VA?

Willard Elementary is ranked #670 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Willard Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Willard Elementary has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Willard Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Willard Elementary has 65.5% math proficiency and 66.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Willard Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Willard Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

103.1% of students at Willard 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

City Safety
High (4,246/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Norfolk). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
449
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
103.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Norfolk city
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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