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Richard Bowling Elementary

Public Grades PK, KG-5

983^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,111 Virginia Elementary Schools

Better than 12% of Virginia elementary schools

Summary

Richard Bowling Elementary is a PK–5 school in Norfolk City Public Schools serving 492 students in Norfolk, VA, and while it has historically ranked near the bottom of Virginia elementary schools, it has made steady progress, climbing from the 0th percentile in 2021–2022 to the 12th percentile in 2025–2026. The school serves a high-poverty population with free/reduced lunch rates near 99%, yet it has a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.7 and a trajectory that points in the right direction.

The clearest bright spot is attendance. Chronic absenteeism has plummeted from 38.1% in 2021–2022 to just 7.6% in 2024–2025 — roughly half the state rate (14.8%) and less than half the Norfolk district rate (17.9%). Nearby schools with similar demographics, such as Jacox Elementary (35.6%) and P.B. Young Senior Elementary (34.9%), report rates four to five times higher. Academically, 4th grade VA Studies stands out at 71.67% proficiency — above the state average and 18 points above the district average — and the school's African American students perform comparatively well, ranking in the 26th percentile statewide, notably better than the school's overall 12th percentile rank.

Challenges remain in the upper grades. While 3rd and 4th grade math and reading scores hover near district averages, 5th grade results drop significantly: science proficiency is 31.48% versus the district's 52.18%, and reading is 51.85% versus 61.39%. The school also lags far behind Ghent K-8, a nearby school with similar poverty levels that ranks in the 79th percentile statewide. However, Richard Bowling outperforms several immediate geographic peers, including Chesterfield Elementary (0th percentile) and Coleman Place Elementary (2nd percentile), and its per-student spending of $10,778 is below some nearby schools — such as Lindenwood Elementary at $15,075 — that achieve similar or only slightly better results. With improved attendance, rising state rank, and one genuine academic strength, Richard Bowling appears to be a school making the most of its resources.

492

Students ?

11.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,778

Per pupil spending ?

99.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2700 E. Princess Anne Rd.
Norfolk, VA 23504

(757) 628-2515

District: Norfolk City Public Schools

Students who attend Richard Bowling Elementary usually attend:

Middle:

Ruffner School

Racial breakdown:

African American:

87.8%

Hispanic:

5.3%

Two or more races:

3.5%

See top rated Virginia elementary schools

Compare Richard Bowling Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 3rd percentile in 2016 → 12th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 9 percentile points since 2016

✓Small classes — about 12 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Virginia average (53% vs 72% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (12th percentile)

!Science scores 37 pts below the Virginia average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school53%

District avg58%

Virginia avg72%

983^rd of 1,111

Virginia public elementary schools ?

Bottom 12%▲ up 8 pts since 2016

From bottom 3% (2016) to bottom 12% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

18^th of 29Elementary Schools in the Norfolk City Public Schools

112^th of 131Norfolk City Public Schools among Virginia districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	15.5	983 of 1111	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	10.6	1020 of 1110	8.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	11.8	1007 of 1114	9.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	6.7	1061 of 1114	4.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	1.5	1104 of 1109	0.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	3.9	1078 of 1103	2.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	8.0	1064 of 1105	3.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	7.8	1055 of 1097	3.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	5.3	1072 of 1099	2.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	7.2	1062 of 1096	3.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	15.3	1018 of 1100	7.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2014	8.7	1076 of 1110	3.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	2.3	1112 of 1120	0.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	8.2	1092 of 1117	2.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	11.2	1084 of 1117	3.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2010	12.8	1070 of 1113	3.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	33.9	871 of 1082	19.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	38.2	779 of 1081	27.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	55.8	506 of 1083	53.3%	★★★☆☆
2006	42.4	732 of 1071	31.7%	★★☆☆☆
2005	47.7	617 of 1062	41.9%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	34.1	439 of 591	25.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	25.6	480 of 579	17.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	29.5	471 of 588	19.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	20.5	503 of 579	13.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	23.0	905 of 1100	17.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	11.6	1005 of 1096	8.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	20.4	930 of 1098	15.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	12.2	1005 of 1100	8.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	24.7	863 of 1040	17.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	19.4	921 of 1046	12.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	17.5	925 of 1036	10.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	11.1	1019 of 1099	7.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	12.4	995 of 1093	9.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	8.6	1043 of 1101	5.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	4.5	1068 of 1093	2.3%	☆☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

African American (2026)26th percentile+14 vs school

Female (2026)18th percentile+6 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)17th percentile+5 vs school

Male (2026)7th percentile-4 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

VA Studies61%-11 vs state

English Reading55%-17 vs state

Mathematics52%-21 vs state

Science31%-37 vs state

★

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Schools Near Richard Bowling Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				SOL Geometry (2026)	SOL Algebra I (2026)		SOL Mathematics (2026)						SOL Science (2026)		SOL English Reading (2026)						SOL Geography (2026)	SOL Civics and Economics (2026)		SOL VA Studies (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	SOL Geometry 8th Grade	SOL Algebra I 7th Grade	SOL Algebra I 8th Grade	SOL Mathematics 3rd Grade	SOL Mathematics 4th Grade	SOL Mathematics 5th Grade	SOL Mathematics 6th Grade	SOL Mathematics 7th Grade	SOL Mathematics 8th Grade	SOL Science 5th Grade	SOL Science 8th Grade	SOL English Reading 3rd Grade	SOL English Reading 4th Grade	SOL English Reading 5th Grade	SOL English Reading 6th Grade	SOL English Reading 7th Grade	SOL English Reading 8th Grade	SOL Geography 8th Grade	SOL Civics and Economics 7th Grade	SOL Civics and Economics 8th Grade	SOL VA Studies 4th Grade	SOL VA Studies 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Richard Bowling Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2700 E. Princess Anne Rd.	Norfolk	23504	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 628-2515	492	42	11.7	99.8%	14 (2.8%)	432 (87.8%)	26 (5.3%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (3.5%)	15.5	983^rd of 1111 public elementary schools	11.5%		10.6	1020^th of 1110 public elementary schools	8.1%	37				56.7	55.0	44.4				31.5		48.3	63.3	51.9							71.7	48.2	$10,778	$1,951	$8,827
Jacox Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1300 Marshall Ave	Norfolk	23504	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 628-2433	596	44	13.5	99.3%	18 (3.0%)	521 (87.4%)	38 (6.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.3%)	16 (2.7%)	4.6	1079^th of 1111 public elementary schools	2.9%		3.5	1084^th of 1110 public elementary schools	2.3%	5				48.5	28.8	49.4				35.8		46.3	36.4	51.9							33.3	44.4	$9,796	$1,811	$7,985
Chesterfield Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2915 Westminster Ave	Norfolk	23504	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 628-2544	325	28	11.6	100.6%	5 (1.5%)	280 (86.2%)	21 (6.5%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.9%)	2 (0.6%)	14 (4.3%)	1.3	1106^th of 1111 public elementary schools	0.5%		4.3	1078^th of 1110 public elementary schools	2.9%	28				41.9	31.3	39.0				31.7		30.2	43.8	36.6							29.2	36.6	$11,841	$2,032	$9,809
Ingleside Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	976 Ingleside Rd	Norfolk	23502	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 892-3270	574	41	14.0	101.0%	29 (5.1%)	485 (84.5%)	31 (5.4%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (4.5%)	28.2	863^rd of 1111 public elementary schools	22.3%		29.6	831^st of 1110 public elementary schools	25.1%	32				65.9	58.2	67.5				57.5		56.5	65.8	69.6							49.4	65.0	$9,003	$1,313	$7,690
Lindenwood Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2700 Ludlow St	Norfolk	23504	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 628-2577	243	22	11.0	99.6%	21 (8.6%)	170 (70.0%)	35 (14.4%)	2 (0.8%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (5.3%)	23.6	911^th of 1111 public elementary schools	18.0%		20.9	919^th of 1110 public elementary schools	17.2%	8				71.1	51.4	48.0				44.0		60.5	62.2	52.0							71.4	52.2	$15,075	$2,293	$12,782
Coleman Place Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2445 Palmyra St.	Norfolk	23513	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 852-4641	551	42	13.1	99.6%	38 (6.9%)	343 (62.3%)	97 (17.6%)	8 (1.5%)	2 (0.4%)	2 (0.4%)	61 (11.1%)	3.6	1085^th of 1111 public elementary schools	2.3%		8.6	1040^th of 1110 public elementary schools	6.3%	45				38.3	27.8	39.7				34.6		46.9	33.3	52.6							27.8	47.4	$8,637	$1,238	$7,399
P.B. Young Senior Elementary	Public	PK, KG-2	543 E. Olney Rd	Norfolk	23510	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 628-2588	241	19	12.6	101.2%	2 (0.8%)	217 (90.0%)	11 (4.6%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (3.3%)								(n/a)																							$13,538	$1,957	$11,581
Sherwood Forest Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3035 Sherwood Forest Lane	Norfolk	23513	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 852-4500	406	33	12.3	100.5%	92 (22.7%)	159 (39.2%)	109 (26.8%)	12 (3.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (8.1%)	15.7	981^st of 1111 public elementary schools	11.7%		18.3	947^th of 1110 public elementary schools	14.7%	34				49.3	61.6	52.9				43.1		58.1	64.4	50.0							56.2	37.3	$9,440	$845	$8,595
Ghent K-8	Public	K-8	200 Shirley Ave	Norfolk	23517	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 628-2565	501	36	13.9	99.4%	213 (42.5%)	215 (42.9%)	28 (5.6%)	7 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (7.6%)	77.9	234^th of 1111 public elementary schools	78.9%		70.5	347^th of 1110 public elementary schools	68.7%	113	≥ 50%	100.0	88.6	78.3	80.4	93.6	67.6	375.0	366.0	87.1	71.4	75.0	84.3	93.6	78.6	91.1	70.2	100.0	100.0	29.2	88.2	96.8	$9,894	$204	$9,690
Southside Stem Academy At Campostella	Public	PK, KG-8	1106 Campostella Rd.	Norfolk	23523	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 628-2555	686	57	12.0	98.4%	10 (1.5%)	600 (87.5%)	47 (6.9%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (3.9%)	3.2	1088^th of 1111 public elementary schools	2.1%		9.4	1033^rd of 1110 public elementary schools	6.9%	55	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	100.0	30.3	34.3	19.4	32.0	18.8	7.4	27.1	42.9	32.5	53.5	38.0	61.3	65.8	58.8	96.0	100.0	50.0	25.7	32.4	$10,986	$1,357	$9,629

Frequently Asked Questions about Richard Bowling Elementary

What schools do graduates of Richard Bowling Elementary attend?

Students who attend Richard Bowling Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Ruffner School

How many students attend Richard Bowling Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 492 students attended Richard Bowling Elementary.

What district is Richard Bowling Elementary in?

Norfolk City Public Schools

Is Richard Bowling Elementary a good school?

Richard Bowling Elementary ranks in the bottom 11.5% of Virginia elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of Richard Bowling Elementary?

Students at Richard Bowling Elementary are 88% African American, 5% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races, 3% White.

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Latest Virginia data All new data »

2025–26 SOL test scoresAug 25, 2026

2021–22 school spending dataFeb 16, 2026

2022–23 through 2023–24 school spending dataFeb 10, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJan 6, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Virginia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.