Education
The Importance of Education in Norfolk, VA
A major concern on the minds of voters is education, according to a Washington Post-Schar School poll. That survey shows that 70% of registered voters said education is a “very important” factor in their vote for the Virginia legislature in 2023.
Norfolk’s public education system faces many challenges, including:
- Teacher Shortages
- Under-Funding
- Persistent Achievement Gaps
- Aging School Buildings
- Chronic Absenteeism
These challenges extend beyond Norfolk – they are concerns at the city, state, and federal levels, as well.
We must work as a team. As Norfolk’s Mayor, I will be dedicated to collaborating with individuals and organizations, regardless of their jurisdiction and affiliation, who bring forward achievable and effective solutions. Our children deserve the best education and learning environment we can offer–it is our duty to provide every child with the opportunity to be successful as adults. By fostering a cooperative approach with civic organizations and across all levels of government, we can collectively address and tackle this priority issue for the benefit of our community and beyond.
Norfolk Stats on Education
- Norfolk City Public Schools contains 50 schools and 27,478 students. The district’s minority enrollment is 80%, and 57.5% of students are economically disadvantaged.
- Norfolk schools spend $11,467 per student (The US average is $12,383).
- The percentage of impoverished children in Norfolk is twice the state average.
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