Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

New rankings! SchoolDigger recently updated its Virginia rankings with newly released test scores for the 2025-26 school year.

Be the first to know when we post new rankings!

Walter Herron Taylor Elementary

Q: Is Walter Herron Taylor Elementary a good school?

Walter Herron Taylor Elementary ranks 406 th of 1111 Virginia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

406^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,111 Virginia Elementary Schools

Better than 63% of Virginia elementary schools

Summary

Walter Herron Taylor Elementary is a PK–5 school in Norfolk, VA, serving 403 students in a district that ranks among Virginia's lowest-performing. Despite a student population that is almost entirely economically disadvantaged, the school earns a 3-star rating and ranks 406th out of 1,111 Virginia elementary schools for 2025–2026 (63rd percentile), making it a clear bright spot within Norfolk City Public Schools, which ranks 112th of 131 districts statewide.

Academically, WHT posts proficiency rates that far exceed district averages and most nearby schools. For example, 3rd grade reading proficiency is 81%, compared with 46–48% at Jacox Elementary, St. Helena Elementary, Richard Bowling Elementary, and James Monroe Elementary. WHT also ranks far ahead of those schools statewide, all of which fall in the bottom 20%. Only Larchmont Elementary and Ghent K-8 outperform it in the immediate area. WHT also stands out for efficiency: it spends about $9,783 per student, far less than many lower-performing peers, yet achieves much stronger outcomes.

The school has shown some warning signs recently. It slipped from a 4-star to a 3-star rating, and chronic absenteeism jumped from 4.5% to 13.5% in one year, alongside declines in some 5th grade subjects. While WHT serves many students very well, its effectiveness varies by subgroup, and some groups — including African American students and military-connected students — do not see the same strong results as their peers. That is worth monitoring for any family considering the school.

403

Students ?

15.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,783

Per pupil spending ?

101.5%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1122 W. Princess Anne Road
Norfolk, VA 23507

(757) 628-2525

District: Norfolk City Public Schools

Students who attend Walter Herron Taylor Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Blair Middle
High:	Matthew Fontaine Maury High

Racial breakdown:

African American:

42.7%

White:

39.7%

Hispanic:

8.4%

See top rated Virginia elementary schools

Compare Walter Herron Taylor Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Recently slipping — 80th percentile in 2024 → 63rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Virginia average (78% vs 72% meeting standards)

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Norfolk City Public Schools

✓Above the Virginia median (63rd percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped from its 80th-percentile peak (2024) to 63rd (2026)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school78%

District avg58%

Virginia avg72%

406^th of 1,111

Virginia public elementary schools ?

Top 37%▲ up 7 pts since 2016

From top 43% (2016) to top 37% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

4^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	65.4	406 of 1111	63.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	65.4	410 of 1110	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	79.0	227 of 1114	79.6%	★★★★☆
2023	75.2	265 of 1114	76.2%	★★★★☆
2022	53.7	554 of 1109	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	60.1	468 of 1103	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	74.7	247 of 1105	77.6%	★★★★☆
2018	65.1	395 of 1097	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2017	39.5	773 of 1099	29.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	58.8	476 of 1096	56.6%	★★★☆☆
2015	59.3	486 of 1100	55.8%	★★★☆☆
2014	69.5	307 of 1110	72.3%	★★★★☆
2013	61.2	438 of 1120	60.9%	★★★☆☆
2012	45.0	700 of 1117	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2011	44.9	719 of 1117	35.6%	★★☆☆☆
2010	51.7	610 of 1113	45.2%	★★☆☆☆
2009	84.4	44 of 1082	95.9%	★★★★★
2008	85.3	31 of 1081	97.1%	★★★★★
2007	70.4	264 of 1083	75.6%	★★★★☆
2006	82.0	85 of 1071	92.1%	★★★★★
2005	79.3	150 of 1062	85.9%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	44.3	366 of 591	38.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	48.4	327 of 579	43.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	70.3	154 of 588	73.8%	★★★★☆
2023	70.8	143 of 579	75.3%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	61.9	430 of 1100	60.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	59.7	464 of 1096	57.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	76.5	236 of 1098	78.5%	★★★★☆
2023	75.4	245 of 1100	77.7%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	53.8	499 of 1040	52.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	63.3	355 of 1046	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	73.0	216 of 1036	79.2%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	66.9	364 of 1099	66.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	66.4	376 of 1093	65.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	77.0	239 of 1101	78.3%	★★★★☆
2023	69.6	319 of 1093	70.8%	★★★★☆

Military Connected

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	47.0	126 of 206	38.8%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	89.2	21 of 974	97.8%	★★★★★
2025	85.1	59 of 973	93.9%	★★★★★
2024	90.5	11 of 979	98.9%	★★★★★
2023	84.2	64 of 984	93.5%	★★★★★

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)

White (2026)98th percentile+34 vs school

Male (2026)67th percentile+3 vs school

Female (2026)61st percentile-3 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)52nd percentile-11 vs school

Military Connected (2026)39th percentile-25 vs school

African American (2026)38th percentile-25 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

VA Studies80%+9 vs state

English Reading79%+8 vs state

Mathematics78%+5 vs state

Science65%-4 vs state

5.0

1 rating

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Rate Walter Herron Taylor Elementary

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Walter Herron Taylor Elementary

Load more schools when map is moved

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
Walter Herron Taylor Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1122 W. Princess Anne Road	Norfolk	23507	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 628-2525	403	26	15.5	101.5%	160 (39.7%)	172 (42.7%)	34 (8.4%)	6 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.7%)	28 (6.9%)	65.4	406^th of 1111 public elementary schools	63.5%		65.4	410^th of 1110 public elementary schools	63.1%	4				81.0	80.9	72.2				64.8		81.0	77.9	79.6							80.9	79.6	$9,783	$186	$9,596
James Monroe Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	520 W 29th St	Norfolk	23508	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 628-3500	299	27	11.0	99.7%	33 (11.0%)	205 (68.6%)	27 (9.0%)	5 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (9.7%)	17.5	969^th of 1111 public elementary schools	12.8%		21.6	911^th of 1110 public elementary schools	17.9%	58				64.0	39.4	72.2				50.0		48.0	34.4	66.7							36.4	54.3	$14,228	$1,564	$12,664
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
Larchmont Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1145 Bolling Ave	Norfolk	23508	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 451-4180	455	28	16.2	99.8%	247 (54.3%)	116 (25.5%)	39 (8.6%)	19 (4.2%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (7.0%)	74	293^rd of 1111 public elementary schools	73.6%		73.4	304^th of 1110 public elementary schools	72.6%	11				86.4	77.8	73.7				80.7		81.4	88.9	87.7							73.0	87.5	$8,302	$43	$8,258
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
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
Park View Elementary	Public	K-6	260 Elm Ave	Portsmouth	23704	Portsmouth city	Portsmouth City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 393-8647	400	34	11.7	101.0%	37 (9.3%)	303 (75.8%)	30 (7.5%)	2 (0.5%)	5 (1.3%)	2 (0.5%)	21 (5.3%)	20.6	935^th of 1111 public elementary schools	15.8%		22.2	898^th of 1110 public elementary schools	19.1%	37				53.2	44.4	65.5	76.3			63.8		44.4	50.0	55.2	64.4						48.6		$11,253	$2,948	$8,305
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
Willard Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1511 Willow Wood Dr	Norfolk	23509	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 628-2721	441	39	11.3	101.8%	61 (13.8%)	251 (56.9%)	79 (17.9%)	5 (1.1%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (10.0%)	33.2	810^th of 1111 public elementary schools	27.1%		45.3	664^th of 1110 public elementary schools	40.2%	146				66.7	57.6	60.9				62.5		64.9	66.7	64.1							64.2	70.3	$9,910	$743	$9,167
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

Frequently Asked Questions about Walter Herron Taylor Elementary

How many students attend Walter Herron Taylor Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 403 students attended Walter Herron Taylor Elementary.

Is Walter Herron Taylor Elementary a good school?

Walter Herron Taylor Elementary ranks 406^th of 1111 Virginia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Walter Herron Taylor Elementary attend?

Students who attend Walter Herron Taylor Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Blair Middle
High : Matthew Fontaine Maury High

What district is Walter Herron Taylor Elementary in?

Norfolk City Public Schools

What is the racial makeup of Walter Herron Taylor Elementary?

Students at Walter Herron Taylor Elementary are 43% African American, 40% White, 8% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

Rate Walter Herron Taylor Elementary!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

VAVirginia Elementary School Rankings

VAVirginia District Rankings

Schools in Norfolk, VA

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Walter Herron Taylor Elementary!

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.