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Best Elementary Schools in portsmouth, VA
(2026 List)

Portsmouth, Virginia — a historic waterfront community on the Elizabeth River, which brings its maritime tradition while holding meaningful connections to community and academic progress. Portsmouth serves around 97,000 residents and is serviced by Portsmouth Public Schools, which enrolls approximately 13,000 students in its 19 elementary schools. Like many cities, Portsmouth struggles with academic outcomes for its students, with average elementary proficiency rates being near 55% in reading and 48% in math. In preparation for the 2021-2022 school year, Portsmouth's district invested in early literacy efforts, STEAM opportunities, and professional learning for teachers as they began to address the area of educational inequity. Portsmouth remains affordable in housing, and focuses on naval connections and family environments as part of its development as a community aimed at student achievement and community impact.