Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 23707

There are 2 elementary schools in zip code 23707 serving grades K-6, both part of Portsmouth City Public Schools, a district ranked in the bottom 13% of Virginia districts, and both schools serve an almost entirely economically disadvantaged student population. Westhaven Elementary is the stronger-performing school in this area, with a higher state ranking, better overall test scores, lower chronic absenteeism, more per-student funding, and smaller class sizes than Waterview Elementary. Westhaven earned 1 star in 2025-26 and ranked 996 out of 1,111 schools, while Waterview earned 0 stars and ranked 1,025 out of 1,111.

In 2025-26, Westhaven’s average SOL proficiency across all subjects was 58.5%, compared to 50.3% at Waterview. Westhaven also had a chronic absenteeism rate of 15.2%—matching the state average—while Waterview’s rate was 28.0%, nearly double. Westhaven spends $11,875 per student with a student-teacher ratio of 11.4, whereas Waterview spends $9,034 with a ratio of 15.1. Despite these gaps, Waterview showed notable strengths in upper-grade math: 5th grade math proficiency reached 65.71% and 6th grade math reached 62.86%, both at or above the district average. Waterview also saw a strong jump in 5th grade science, from 28.8% to 47.8% year-over-year.

Both schools improved considerably from 2024-25 to 2025-26, with Waterview rising from 41.4% to 50.3% overall proficiency and Westhaven rising from 48.8% to 58.5%. Reading remains a shared challenge: only 42.3% of Waterview students and 50.8% of Westhaven students were proficient in reading, far below the state average of 71.7%. Waterview also saw a sharp decline in 4th grade VA Studies, dropping to 30.9% while Westhaven reached 49.2%. For parents choosing between these two schools, Westhaven currently offers stronger overall academics, better attendance, and more resources, but Waterview is closing the gap in math and science at certain grade levels.