Best Public Schools in Zip Code 23517

The 23517 zip code area in Norfolk, Virginia is home to 3 schools that serve students from elementary through high school, all part of the Norfolk City Public Schools district. While the district as a whole is ranked 109 out of 129 districts in Virginia and has a 1-star rating, Ghent K-8 stands out as the highest-performing school in the area, with strong test scores and a relatively high statewide ranking.

Ghent K-8 had impressive test scores in the 2024-2025 school year, with 95.24% of 8th graders proficient or better in Algebra I, 82.76% of 5th graders proficient or better in Mathematics, and 89.23% of 4th graders proficient or better in English Reading. These scores significantly outpaced the district and state averages. In contrast, Blair Middle and Matthew Fontaine Maury High had mixed or lower test scores compared to the district and state.

All three schools in the 23517 zip code area face significant economic challenges, with very high free and reduced lunch rates ranging from 94.78% to 99.2%. This suggests the student population in the area is economically disadvantaged, which could be a contributing factor to the overall lower performance of the schools compared to the state averages. However, the relatively low student-teacher ratios at the schools indicate they may have the resources to provide more individualized attention to students, though this has not yet translated into consistently strong academic outcomes.