Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 23507

Zip code 23507 in Norfolk, Virginia, is home to just one elementary school—Walter Herron Taylor Elementary—which serves grades PK through 5 with an enrollment of 403 students. As the only school in the area, it is automatically the standout, and it shines especially brightly when compared to its overall district, Norfolk City Public Schools, which ranks in the bottom 15th percentile statewide. Taylor Elementary, by contrast, earns a 3-star rating and sits in the 63rd percentile of all Virginia elementary schools, making it a clear positive outlier within a district that is struggling overall.

Academically, the school consistently beats its district by wide margins across nearly every subject and grade level. In 2025-2026, for example, 3rd grade reading scored 81.03% proficiency versus 56.04% district-wide, while 4th grade Virginia Studies hit 80.88% versus 53.37%—a 27.5-point advantage. Reading is a particular strength, with every grade level exceeding the state average, including a 13.4-point edge in 3rd grade. However, performance is not universally above state levels: 5th grade math (72.22%) and 5th grade science (64.81%) lag slightly behind the Virginia averages, and 5th grade math dropped sharply from 86.27% to 72.22% year over year—a notable area to watch.

Beyond test scores, the school stands out for its attendance and efficiency. Chronic absenteeism is just 13.5%, lower than both the district (17.9%) and the state (14.8%). The school serves a high-poverty population—evidenced by a 101.49% free/reduced lunch rate, indicating a universal meal program—yet still posts strong results. Per-student spending is a moderate $9,783 with a reasonable 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. The one cautionary trend is a ranking decline from the 80th percentile (4 stars) in 2023-2024 to the 63rd percentile (3 stars) in 2024-2025 and 2025-2026, but the school has stabilized at that level. Overall, Walter Herron Taylor Elementary is a high-performing, well-rounded school and easily the best elementary option in zip code 23507.