Ghent School

Ghent K-8 School, located at 200 Shirley Avenue in the historic Ghent neighborhood of Norfolk, Virginia, serves kindergarten through 8th grade with about 501 students.Its student-teacher ratio is approximately 13 to 1, and the faculty provides a Gifted & Talented program among other advanced academics.Ghent is part of Norfolk City Public Schools under Superintendent Dr. James Pohl, and its principal is Dr. Jennifer Banks.The school emphasizes developing motivated, mature, and self-confident students with strong personal and social skills.On state tests, about 75% of students achieve proficiency in reading and 47% in math.Despite high eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch (over 90%), Ghent K-8 outperforms many peers academically.The demographic mix is diverse: African-American, White, Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial students make up its community.

According to SchoolDigger data for 2024-25, Ghent K-8’s 8th-grade students achieved 95.24% proficiency in Algebra I, above both district (87.76%) and state (91.88%) averages.

GreatSchools rates Ghent School 9 out of 10, reflecting strong relative performance compared to similar schools in Virginia.

Q1. What specialized academic programs are available at Ghent K-8?

A. Ghent offers a Gifted & Talented program, advanced courses (especially in middle grades), and supports students across a span of grades K-8, which allows cross-grade project work and early preparation for higher-level courses.

Q2. How does the school perform on standardized/state tests relative to district and state levels?

A. In 2024-25, Ghent’s 8th graders achieved ~ 95% proficiency in Algebra I, outperforming the Norfolk district (~ 87.76%) and Virginia state (~ 91.88%) averages. Reading proficiency is ~ 75%, math ~47%, also showing above-district performance in several subjects.

Q3. What is the socioeconomic profile of the student body?

A. A very high percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch (over 90%), indicating economic disadvantage in many households.

Q4. How diverse is the student population at Ghent K-8?

A. The student population is racially and ethnically diverse: approximately 43% African-American, ~42% White, ~7-8% multiracial, ~5-6% Hispanic, plus small representation of Asian students.

Q5. What mission or values does Ghent K-8 emphasize in its educational approach?

A. Ghent School's mission includes developing students who are highly motivated, mature, self-confident, and who have well-developed personal and social skills. It values inclusion, academic rigor, and fostering community engagement, especially given its open classroom choice model.