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
Enrollment
449
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Willard Elementary — Students at Willard Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
103.1%
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
↓ 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: 6.9/10.
How Willard Elementary Compares
See how Willard Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 71% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 69% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (757) 628-2721
- 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
- #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 methodologyRelated reading
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