James Monroe Elementary

As an intimate primary school in Norfolk, Virginia, James Monroe Elementary caters to 299 students from grades pre-K through 5, one of the schools within Norfolk City Public Schools. Enrollment runs roughly 40% smaller than the state mean of about 499.

Across the 44 schools in Norfolk City Public Schools (26,807 students total), James Monroe Elementary accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

For racial and ethnic makeup, James Monroe Elementary lists that Black students make up the majority at 69%; the rest reads as 11% White, 10% multiracial, 9% Hispanic. The wider county runs roughly 40% Black, putting the school's mix visibly more Black than the area baseline.

On the resource side, The school reports having 27 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 11.1:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 13.8:1, putting James Monroe Elementary tighter than the state norm the norm. An estimated 100% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment.

With demographic context factored in, James Monroe Elementary tracks the demographic baseline. The model predicts 61.0% given the school's FRL share; actual proficiency is 54.4%.

In the broader community, the surrounding county (Norfolk city) records that median household income runs about $66,109, 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 12%. In all, Norfolk city runs 54 public schools (combined enrollment of about 26,807 students), of which James Monroe Elementary is one.

Blair Middle is the nearest neighboring public school, about 0.6 miles from this campus. 8 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius. Ranking that nearby cluster on reported proficiency puts James Monroe Elementary at 8th of 8; the average score across the group is 69.8%.

James Monroe Elementary operates from an inner-city location.

Trend over the last 7 years. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at James Monroe Elementary has declined 7%, going from 321 students in 2018 to 299 in 2025. Black enrollment moved from 90% to 69% across the same window. Class-load math has pulled in: from 12.3:1 in 2018 to 11.1:1 in 2025.

In the discussion threads here, posts here usually surface around fundraisers, lost-and-found posts, and report-card season. Anyone with firsthand experience at this school can post or comment.