For the 2026 school year, there are 13 public elementary schools serving 6,940 students in Portsmouth, VA.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Portsmouth, VA are Churchland Elementary School, Churchland Primary & Intermediate and Simonsdale Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Portsmouth, VA public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the Virginia public elementary school average of 67%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 67% statewide average). Elementary schools in Portsmouth have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Virginia public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Virginia public elementary school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Portsmouth, VA (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Churchland Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5601 Michael Ln
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2523
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2523
Gr: K-6 | 721 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #22.
Churchland Primary & Intermediate
(Math: 69% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5700 Hedgerow Ln
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2519
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2519
Gr: K-6 | 503 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #33.
Simonsdale Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4841 Clifford Street
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2917
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2917
Gr: K-6 | 613 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #44.
Victory Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2828 Greenwood Drive
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 393-8806
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 393-8806
Gr: K-6 | 586 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #55.
Churchland Academy Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4061 River Shore Rd
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2527
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2527
Gr: K-6 | 626 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #66.
Hodges Manor Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1201 Cherokee Rd
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2921
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2921
Gr: K-6 | 466 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #77.
Park View Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
260 Elm Ave
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-8647
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-8647
Gr: K-6 | 400 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #88.
Lakeview Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1300 Horne Ave
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2901
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2901
Gr: K-6 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #99.
Westhaven Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3701 Clifford St
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8855
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8855
Gr: K-6 | 401 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #1010.
Brighton Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1100 Portsmouth Blvd.
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-8870
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-8870
Gr: K-6 | 483 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1111.
Waterview Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3649 Hartford St
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8879
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8879
Gr: K-6 | 576 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1212.
Cradock Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
18 Dahlgren Ave
Portsmouth, VA 23702
(757) 558-2811
Portsmouth, VA 23702
(757) 558-2811
Gr: K-6 | 616 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #1313.
Douglass Park Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
34 Grand St
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 393-8646
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 393-8646
Gr: K-6 | 510 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Portsmouth, VA?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Portsmouth, VA include Churchland Elementary School, Churchland Primary & Intermediate and Simonsdale Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Portsmouth?
13 public elementary schools are located in Portsmouth.
What is the racial composition of students in Portsmouth?
Portsmouth public elementary schools minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Virginia public elementary schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Portsmouth are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Portsmouth include: Churchland Primary & Intermediate vs. Churchland Academy Elementary School, Lakeview Elementary School vs. Hodges Manor Elementary School, Churchland Elementary School vs. Churchland Academy Elementary School
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