Summary:
Zip code 23435 is served by six public schools within Suffolk City Public Schools, including three elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school, enrolling 5,416 students in an area where all schools share a nearly identical socioeconomic profile.
The clear standout is John Yeates Middle, the highest-ranked school in the zip at the 85th percentile with 4 stars, boasting exceptional reading scores, 100% proficiency in advanced math, and the area's highest spending per student ($10,855) and lowest student-teacher ratio (9.9:1). Northern Shores Elementary leads the elementary schools at the 71st percentile, with its 3rd grade reading and 5th grade science scores far exceeding state averages and the lowest chronic absenteeism (7.6%) in the zip. Nansemond River High serves 1,683 students with a strong 96.9% graduation rate and 1.4% dropout rate, though its 23.7% chronic absenteeism is a serious concern. Creekside Elementary is on the rise, jumping from the 45th to 55th percentile with notable gains in 5th grade reading and math, while still lagging in 3rd grade reading at 60.91%.
Florence Bowser Elementary is the school to watch, declining from the 64th to 49th percentile with every SOL score falling across the board, coinciding with the lowest spending ($6,667) and largest class sizes (21:1) in the zip. Colonel Fred Cherry Middle ranks near the 54th percentile, with strong advanced math results but weaker grade-level math and reading. Since free/reduced lunch eligibility is nearly identical across all six schools (68.75% to 69.55%), these performance differences point to school-level factors like spending, class size, and engagement rather than demographics. While the district itself is rated just 2 stars, this zip hides genuine excellence, with three 4-star schools and a wide range of outcomes that make individual school choice highly impactful.
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