Summary
Lindenwood Elementary is a small PK–5 school in Norfolk, Virginia, serving 243 students as part of Norfolk City Public Schools, a district that ranks in the bottom half of the state. The school has historically ranked near the very bottom of Virginia, but has shown a clear upward trend, climbing from the 1st percentile in 2018–2019 to the 18th percentile in 2025–2026. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and chronic absenteeism, while still elevated at 21.3%, has improved significantly from 32.1% just four years ago.
Lindenwood invests heavily in its students. In 2023–2024, it spent $15,075 per pupil—more than any nearby school, including James Monroe ($14,228) and Chesterfield ($11,841), and well above schools like Coleman Place ($8,637) and Walter Herron Taylor ($9,783). The school also maintains a very low 11:1 student-teacher ratio, tied with James Monroe for the lowest among nearby schools. Yet despite these resources, overall achievement remains mixed. The school's relatively strong performance serving historically underserved students—its low-income students rank in the 27th percentile statewide—suggests the investment may be helping to close gaps, even if overall scores remain below state averages.
One notable bright spot is 3rd grade math, where 71.1% of students met proficiency in 2025–2026, nearly matching the state average (74.0%) and beating several higher-ranked nearby schools, including Willard (66.7%) and James Monroe (64.0%). However, those gains fade by 4th and 5th grade, where math and reading scores fall below district averages. The contrast with nearby Ghent K-8, a mile away, is stark: Ghent ranks in the 79th percentile with a 4.8% chronic absenteeism rate and 93.6% 5th grade proficiency. Since both serve similarly high-poverty populations, Lindenwood's challenges are not insurmountable—reducing absenteeism and sustaining early-grade gains would go a long way toward closing the gap.
Thank you for your feedback!