The City of Norfolk is famous for its range of good schools and variety of neighborhoods for families that are focused on creating healthy communities. In particular, parents find that their child’s choice of a middle school greatly influences his/her academic success and confidence at an early age and throughout his/her life.
Norfolk’s public schools offer students an excellent opportunity to prepare for high school and provide them with the skill set needed to be successful throughout their lives. Each of Norfolk’s public schools provides students with a good balance of academic and extracurricular activities, small class sizes, and a supportive environment. These characteristics enable students to easily transition from elementary school to high school.
This guide provides a list of some of the best middle schools in Norfolk and includes information on how each school measures up according to academics, enrollment, and student-teacher ratios, which will aid families in making informed choices.
Why Norfolk Is a Strong City for Middle School Education
In terms of public education, Norfolk has many options for students to receive an education that helps them develop academically, cultivate creativity, and support them as they grow as individuals. With smaller class sizes at many of the schools, teachers have more opportunities to offer each student personal attention. In addition, Norfolk schools have a focus on STEM education, literacy skills, and enrichment programs to help prepare students for future academic challenges. For families considering elementary schools in Norfolk, many middle schools are available as options for the next phase in a well-organized education journey.
Top Middle Schools in Norfolk, VA
#1 in Virginia: Academy for Discovery at Lakewood
- Address: 1701 Alsace Ave, Norfolk, VA 23509
- Grades 3 to 8
- There are 365 students in total.
- There are 15 students for every teacher.
Academy for Discovery at Lakewood is always one of the best schools in the state. The school is known for its strong academic focus and creative programs. It helps students learn by doing and offers a balanced curriculum. Teachers can pay more attention to each student when classes are smaller. This helps students gain confidence in both their core subjects and their ability to think critically.
#2 in Virginia: Azalea Gardens Middle
- Address: 7721 Azalea Garden Rd, Norfolk, VA, 23518
- Grades: 6 to 8
- There are 269 students in total.
- There is one teacher for every 15 students.
Azalea Gardens Middle School is a structured school that puts a lot of focus on helping students grow. Teachers work closely with students to help them do better in math, reading, and science. Extracurricular activities help students grow socially and learn how to work together.
#3 in Virginia: Northside Middle
- Address: 8720 Granby St, Norfolk, VA, 23503.
- Grades: 6–8
- There are 255 students in all.
- There are 14 students for every teacher.
This school is known for having a supportive learning environment and is located in the Northside area. Northside Middle has smaller class sizes than many urban schools, which lets teachers pay more attention to each student’s progress and encourages students to be responsible and independent.
#4 in Virginia: Blair Middle
- Address: 730 Spotswood Ave, Norfolk, VA 23517.
- 6th to 8th grades
- There are 268 students in total.
- There are 13 students for every teacher.
Blair Middle School has one of the lowest student-to-teacher ratios in the city, which is a good thing. This encourages individualized teaching and strong relationships between teachers and students. The school puts a lot of value on doing well in school, building character, and getting involved in the community.
#5 in Virginia: Norview Middle School
- Address: 6325 Sewells Point Rd, Norfolk, VA, 23513.
- Grades: 6–8
- There are 384 students in total.
- There are 13 students for every teacher.
Norview Middle School has more students than other schools, but the class sizes are still good. The school helps students get ready for high school by setting high academic standards, structuring learning, and having teachers who are there to help.
#6 in Virginia: Ruffner School
- Address: 610 May Ave., Norfolk, VA, 23504
- Grades: 3 to 8
- Number of Students: 180
- There are 10 students for every teacher.
The student-to-teacher ratio at Ruffner School is very low, which makes it stand out. This makes it possible to give very personalized instruction, which is great for families who need help with schoolwork that is tailored to their needs. The school focuses on basic skills, getting students involved, and making steady progress in their studies.
In the Middle School Classroom, the Student–Teacher Ratios Are Important
One of the strengths of Norfolk’s Middle School is that many classes have smaller class sizes than other schools. Smaller student-to-teacher ratios assist teachers in being able to establish instructional gaps of learning early, adapt pedagogical techniques, and consistently provide feedback to the students. With the rapid growth of students during the middle school years, both academically and socially, providing students with additional assistance and support through the use of smaller class sizes is critical.
Families Living in Norfolk
In addition to providing students with a positive academic experience, Norfolk has an expansive amount of things to do in Norfolk, Virginia (fun things), to provide support for children learning. Examples of community support include libraries, recreation centers, community programs, museums, and waterfront parks.
In Conclusion
Norfolk Middle Schools are providing a supportive and nurturing environment to provide for a successful academic experience for students. Families will find many options for schools with smaller student-to-teacher ratios, high academic performance, and compassionate learning environments for their children when looking for a new or existing middle school. By visiting different campuses within their area and connecting with school communities, families will be able to identify the best school to meet their family’s educational needs for the 2026 school year.
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