Ruffner School

610 May Ave.
Norfolk, VA 23504
(School attendance zone shown in map)
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Serving 540 students in grades 3-8, Ruffner School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Virginia for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 11% (which is lower than the Virginia state average of 54%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 30% (which is lower than the Virginia state average of 69%).
The student:teacher ratio of 10:1 is lower than the Virginia state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Virginia state average of 56% (majority Black).

Quick Stats (2025)

  • Grades: 3-8
  • Enrollment: 540 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 10:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 97%
  • : Bottom 50% in VA
  • : 11% (Btm 50%)
  • : 30% (Btm 50%)
  • : 10-14% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Ruffner School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Virginia for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Ruffner School's student population of 540 students has declined by 8% over five school years.
The teacher population of 52 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 3-8
(offers virtual instruction)
Total Students
540 students
This chart displays total students of Ruffner School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of Ruffner School
Total Classroom Teachers
52 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of Ruffner School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Ruffner School by grade.

School Rankings

Ruffner School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,792 schools in Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Ruffner School is 0.17, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (VA)
#1775 out of 1792 schools
(Bottom 50%)
This chart displays the overall school rank of Ruffner School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
(20-21)
11%
54%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Ruffner School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in Virginia by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
(20-21)
30%
69%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Ruffner School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Virginia by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
(20-21)
10-14%
59%
Student : Teacher Ratio
10:1
14:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Ruffner School and the public school average student teacher ratio of Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
American Indian
1%
n/a
Asian
n/a
8%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Ruffner School and the percentage of Asian public school students in Virginia by year, with the latest 2013-14 school year data.
Hispanic
3%
19%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Ruffner School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
91%
22%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Ruffner School and the percentage of Black public school students in Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
White
3%
44%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Ruffner School and the percentage of White public school students in Virginia by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
2%
7%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Ruffner School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Ruffner School.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in Virginia.
0.17
This chart displays the diversity score of Ruffner School and the public school average diversity score of Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Free Lunch
93%
55%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Ruffner School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (14-15)
4%
6%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Ruffner School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Virginia by year, with the latest 2014-15 school year data.
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ruffner School's ranking?
Ruffner School is ranked #1775 out of 1,792 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Virginia.
What schools are Ruffner School often compared to?
Ruffner Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Blair Middle School, Norview Middle School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
11% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 54% VA state average), while 30% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 69% VA state average).
How many students attend Ruffner School?
540 students attend Ruffner School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
91% of Ruffner School students are Black, 3% of students are Hispanic, 3% of students are White, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Ruffner School?
Ruffner School has a student ration of 10:1, which is lower than the Virginia state average of 14:1.
What grades does Ruffner School offer ?
Ruffner School offers enrollment in grades 3-8 (offers virtual instruction).
What school district is Ruffner School part of?
Ruffner School is part of Norfolk City School District.
In what neighborhood is Ruffner School located?
Ruffner School is located in the South Brambleton neighborhood of Norfolk, VA.

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Quick Stats (2025)

  • Grades: 3-8
  • Enrollment: 540 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 10:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 97%
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 11% (Btm 50%)
  • : 30% (Btm 50%)
  • : 10-14% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education

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