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Academy For Discovery At Lakewood

Q: Is Academy For Discovery At Lakewood a good school?

Academy For Discovery At Lakewood ranks 133 rd of 416 Virginia middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 3-8

133^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 416 Virginia Middle Schools

Better than 68% of Virginia middle schools

Summary

Academy for Discovery at Lakewood is a grades 3–8 school in Norfolk, VA, serving 739 students, and it stands out as a high-achieving school within the Norfolk City Public Schools district, even though the district itself ranks in the bottom 15% of Virginia districts. The school has been a consistent standout, ranking 133rd of 416 Virginia middle schools (68th percentile) in 2025-2026, after ranking in the 87th and 86th percentiles the two previous years. What makes this especially notable is that Academy outranks every nearby school by a wide margin — the closest comparable school, Bayside Middle, is more than 150 places behind. Other nearby schools like Azalea Gardens Middle, Blair Middle, and Norview Middle rank in the bottom 20% of the state.

Academy's reading and social studies scores are dramatically higher than the district average across every grade level. For example, 89.8% of 8th graders are proficient in reading compared to a 55.3% district average, and Academy is roughly 20 points higher than Bayside Middle and 41 points higher than Norview Middle in that subject. The school also excels in advanced math, with 100% proficiency in Geometry and 7th-grade Algebra I. Social studies is another strength, with Academy beating the state average by roughly 20 percentage points in Geography and Virginia Studies. Chronic absenteeism is remarkably low at 7.3% vs. a 17.9% district average — a stark contrast with Ruffner School's 32.9% rate — which likely contributes to the school's success.

Academy serves a very high-poverty population with nearly 100% of students eligible for free/reduced lunch, yet it produces strong results for nearly every student group. Hispanic students ranked #1 in Virginia in 2024-2025, and economically disadvantaged students, students of color, and students with disabilities all ranked in the 90th percentile or higher in recent years. The school also does this efficiently, spending $8,184 per student — far less than Bayside Middle's $16,229 or Cradock Middle's $13,319. One thing to watch is that the school's overall rank dipped in 2025-2026, and general middle school math (outside the advanced track) is below the state average. Still, Academy remains a proof point that a high-poverty school can also be a high-performing school.

739

Students ?

14.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$8,184

Per pupil spending ?

100%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1701 Alsace Ave
Norfolk, VA 23509

(757) 628-2477

District: Norfolk City Public Schools

Racial breakdown:

White:

49.4%

African American:

30.2%

Two or more races:

8.8%

See top rated Virginia middle schools

Compare Academy For Discovery At Lakewood to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 64th percentile in 2017 → 68th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Virginia average (86% vs 73% meeting standards)

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

✓Above the Virginia median (68th percentile)

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school86%

District avg59%

Virginia avg73%

Elementary school

248^th of 1,111

Virginia public elementary schools ?

Top 22%▼ down 3 pts since 2017

From top 19% (2017) to top 22% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

133^rd of 416

Virginia public middle schools ?

Top 32%▲ up 4 pts since 2017

From top 36% (2017) to top 32% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 6Middle 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)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	77.2	248 of 1111	77.7%	★★★★☆
2025	85.8	106 of 1110	90.5%	★★★★★
2024	86.2	101 of 1114	90.9%	★★★★★
2023	87.9	73 of 1114	93.4%	★★★★★
2022	85.4	127 of 1109	88.5%	★★★★☆
2021	65.7	396 of 1103	64.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	79.0	184 of 1105	83.3%	★★★★☆
2018	72.6	268 of 1097	75.6%	★★★★☆
2017	75.7	208 of 1099	81.1%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	74.9	115 of 591	80.5%	★★★★☆
2025	85.7	43 of 579	92.6%	★★★★★
2024	85.5	48 of 588	91.8%	★★★★★
2023	87.9	38 of 579	93.4%	★★★★★

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	50.2	248 of 420	41.0%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	79.7	184 of 1100	83.3%	★★★★☆
2025	83.9	127 of 1096	88.4%	★★★★☆
2024	84.8	108 of 1098	90.2%	★★★★★
2023	87.1	70 of 1100	93.6%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	67.0	301 of 1040	71.1%	★★★★☆
2025	82.8	107 of 1046	89.8%	★★★★☆
2024	83.4	81 of 1036	92.2%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	72.2	300 of 1099	72.7%	★★★★☆
2025	84.9	105 of 1093	90.4%	★★★★★
2024	84.9	108 of 1101	90.2%	★★★★★
2023	86.0	88 of 1093	91.9%	★★★★★

Military Connected

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	57.2	91 of 206	55.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	73.9	35 of 192	81.8%	★★★★☆
2024	77.2	24 of 195	87.7%	★★★★☆
2023	78.6	20 of 182	89.0%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	68.9	84 of 306	72.5%	★★★★☆
2025	77.1	56 of 271	79.3%	★★★★☆
2024	76.5	51 of 247	79.4%	★★★★☆
2023	76.5	50 of 245	79.6%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	74.4	208 of 974	78.6%	★★★★☆
2025	82.4	92 of 973	90.5%	★★★★★
2024	83.6	69 of 979	93.0%	★★★★★
2023	86.4	47 of 984	95.2%	★★★★★

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	66.2	133 of 416	68.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	78.6	55 of 419	86.9%	★★★★☆
2024	80.0	60 of 417	85.6%	★★★★☆
2023	72.5	112 of 422	73.5%	★★★★☆
2022	73.2	73 of 415	82.4%	★★★★☆
2021	56.6	153 of 419	63.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	74.9	62 of 424	85.4%	★★★★☆
2018	63.4	112 of 413	72.9%	★★★★☆
2017	57.9	148 of 415	64.3%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	65.2	93 of 297	68.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	84.8	28 of 297	90.6%	★★★★★
2024	77.5	42 of 299	86.0%	★★★★☆
2023	75.4	58 of 298	80.5%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2024	92.7	5 of 281	98.2%	★★★★★
2023	83.3	28 of 278	89.9%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	65.6	132 of 409	67.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	78.6	43 of 403	89.3%	★★★★☆
2024	79.9	49 of 407	88.0%	★★★★☆
2023	78.1	66 of 411	83.9%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	97.7	1 of 279	99.6%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	59.9	148 of 401	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	81.5	41 of 403	89.8%	★★★★★
2024	85.7	28 of 402	93.0%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	66.8	117 of 410	71.5%	★★★★☆
2025	80.7	41 of 404	89.9%	★★★★★
2024	82.9	33 of 407	91.9%	★★★★★
2023	71.6	106 of 409	74.1%	★★★★☆

Military Connected

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	44.7	85 of 125	32.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	57.0	55 of 130	57.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	72.3	18 of 123	85.4%	★★★★☆
2023	50.5	61 of 114	46.5%	★★☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	60.1	97 of 249	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	76.3	32 of 244	86.9%	★★★★☆
2024	84.5	13 of 237	94.5%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	64.3	124 of 400	69.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	72.4	76 of 400	81.0%	★★★★☆
2024	82.9	18 of 396	95.5%	★★★★★
2023	76.8	51 of 402	87.3%	★★★★☆

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)

Elementary school

Female (2026)83rd percentile+6 vs school

African American (2026)81st percentile+3 vs school

White (2026)79th percentile~ school

Male (2026)73rd percentile-5 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)73rd percentile-5 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)71st percentile-7 vs school

Military Connected (2026)56th percentile-22 vs school

Disabled (2026)41st percentile-37 vs school

Middle school

Hispanic (2025)100th percentile+13 vs school

Disabled (2024)98th percentile+13 vs school

Male (2026)71st percentile+3 vs school

White (2026)69th percentile~ school

African American (2026)69th percentile~ school

Female (2026)68th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)63rd percentile-5 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)61st percentile-7 vs school

Military Connected (2026)32nd percentile-36 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

Geometry100%+3 vs state

VA Studies94%+23 vs state

Algebra I92%-3 vs state

Geography88%+20 vs state

Civics and Economics88%+18 vs state

Earth Science86%-5 vs state

English Reading85%+12 vs state

Science81%+12 vs state

Mathematics80%+9 vs state

5.0

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Schools Near Academy For Discovery At Lakewood

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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 Earth 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	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 Earth Science 7th Grade	SOL Earth 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 6th 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
Academy For Discovery At Lakewood	Public	3-8	1701 Alsace Ave	Norfolk	23509	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 628-2477	739	50	14.7	100.0%	365 (49.4%)	223 (30.2%)	63 (8.5%)	19 (2.6%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.4%)	65 (8.8%)	66.2	133^rd of 416 public middle schools	68.0%		78.6	55^th of 419 public middle schools	86.9%	78	100.0	100.0	88.9	87.7	94.0	85.7	58.4			81.0			86.1	79.0	92.8	89.3	78.5	81.9	89.8	88.3		88.3		92.8	95.2	$8,184	$64	$8,120
Norview Middle	Public	6-8	6325 Sewells Point Rd	Norfolk	23513	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 852-4600	1,196	81	14.7	88.9%	105 (8.8%)	789 (66.0%)	212 (17.7%)	19 (1.6%)	3 (0.3%)	3 (0.3%)	65 (5.4%)	7.4	399^th of 416 public middle schools	4.1%		8.7	400^th of 419 public middle schools	4.5%	1	88.9	68.9	78.3				10.6	22.0	16.6		23.3		86.0				41.1	44.4	48.4	78.7		77.1	44.6			$8,022	$631	$7,391
Blair Middle	Public, Magnet	6-8	730 Spotswood Ave	Norfolk	23517	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(757) 628-2400	1,141	77	14.8	93.3%	240 (21.0%)	676 (59.2%)	117 (10.3%)	22 (1.9%)	4 (0.4%)	4 (0.4%)	78 (6.8%)	24	354^th of 416 public middle schools	14.9%		20.2	368^th of 419 public middle schools	12.2%	14	93.5	99.2	95.7				36.0	19.9	9.6		18.3	95.1	87.3				62.3	61.6	54.8	83.1		95.2	32.1			$8,978	$318	$8,660
Ruffner School	Public	3-8	610 May Ave.	Norfolk	23504	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 628-2466	576	47	12.2	93.4%	9 (1.6%)	531 (92.2%)	17 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.5%)	2 (0.3%)	14 (2.4%)	3	410^th of 416 public middle schools	1.4%		2.6	413^th of 419 public middle schools	1.4%	3			100.0	17.1	39.1	4.1	19.5	11.9	16.6	4.1	17.0			26.5	56.5	14.3	33.3	36.9	26.3	50.0		65.5	16.7	41.3	14.3	$12,376	$1,572	$10,804
Azalea Gardens Middle	Public	6-8	7721 Azalea Garden Rd	Norfolk	23518	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 531-3000	792	52	15.2	87.8%	196 (24.7%)	321 (40.5%)	176 (22.2%)	20 (2.5%)	5 (0.6%)	4 (0.5%)	70 (8.8%)	28.2	332^nd of 416 public middle schools	20.2%		27.5	335^th of 419 public middle schools	20.0%	3	75.0	100.0	97.9				44.4	22.2	56.0		38.0		96.6				61.4	53.4	65.8	90.7		86.0	50.3			$7,416	$221	$7,195
Northside Middle	Public	6-8	8720 Granby St	Norfolk	23503	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 531-3150	732	54	13.5	89.8%	168 (23.0%)	307 (41.9%)	181 (24.7%)	20 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (0.8%)	50 (6.8%)	13.4	384^th of 416 public middle schools	7.7%		25.1	348^th of 419 public middle schools	16.9%	36	88.2	93.3	78.0				35.8	30.8	24.2		42.1		100.0				51.6	55.9	54.1	97.6		100.0	34.2			$9,160	$155	$9,005
Oscar Smith Middle	Public	6-8	2500 Rodgers St	Chesapeake	23324	Chesapeake city	Chesapeake City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 494-7590	967	94	10.2	71.9%	113 (11.7%)	621 (64.2%)	163 (16.9%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	68 (7.0%)	23.5	358^th of 416 public middle schools	13.9%		32.3	314^th of 419 public middle schools	25.1%	44		100.0	98.5				54.5	47.7	55.8		41.3						56.1	60.2	61.0		35.9					$11,774	$1,477	$10,297
Bayside Middle	Public	6-8	965 Newtown Rd	Virginia Beach	23462	Virginia Beach city	Virginia Beach City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 648-4400	628	61	10.2	96.3%	100 (15.9%)	340 (54.1%)	106 (16.9%)	13 (2.1%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	65 (10.4%)	38.5	290^th of 416 public middle schools	30.3%		42.3	265^th of 419 public middle schools	36.8%	25	100.0	100.0	100.0				54.1	46.3	58.2		54.3		98.1				61.1	62.7	69.8				73.4			$16,229	$1,936	$14,293
Indian River Middle	Public	6-8	2300 Old Greenbrier Rd	Chesapeake	23325	Chesapeake city	Chesapeake City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 578-7030	743	70	10.5	72.1%	177 (23.8%)	388 (52.2%)	87 (11.7%)	9 (1.2%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	79 (10.6%)	28	333^rd of 416 public middle schools	20.0%		26.8	341^st of 419 public middle schools	18.6%	8	100.0	90.9	96.6				37.2	37.7	40.6		53.4						68.6	63.4	69.5		47.1					$11,059	$445	$10,615
Cradock Middle	Public	7-8	21 Alden Ave	Portsmouth	23702	Portsmouth city	Portsmouth City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 393-8788	516	38	13.5	103.5%	36 (7.0%)	395 (76.6%)	36 (7.0%)	4 (0.8%)	4 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (7.9%)	12.1	390^th of 416 public middle schools	6.3%		11.5	389^th of 419 public middle schools	7.2%	1	87.5	100.0	98.5					25.0	31.4		45.1							46.9	48.7				48.2			$13,319	$3,103	$10,216

Frequently Asked Questions about Academy For Discovery At Lakewood

Is Academy For Discovery At Lakewood a good school?

Academy For Discovery At Lakewood ranks 133^rd of 416 Virginia middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Academy For Discovery At Lakewood?

Students at Academy For Discovery At Lakewood are 49% White, 30% African American, 9% Two or more races, 9% Hispanic, 3% Asian.

How many students attend Academy For Discovery At Lakewood?

In the 2024-25 school year, 739 students attended Academy For Discovery At Lakewood.

What district is Academy For Discovery At Lakewood in?

Norfolk City Public Schools

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Latest Virginia data All new data »

2025–26 SOL test scoresNewAug 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.