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GreatSchools Rating

L.F. Palmer Elementary School

Public | PK-5 | 524 students

Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
No new ratings
2010:
No new ratings

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4 reviews of this school


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Posted November 29, 2012

I am so pleased with the staff and administration at Palmer Elementary. Class sizes were out of hand at the beginning of the school year. What did they do? Add new teachers to reduce the class sizes. Mr. Black and Mrs. Francis (Principal and Assistant Principal) really care for not just the education of the students, but their well-being. They are in the process of rebuilding the PTA, so hopefully more parents will take an interest and help out. I was a bit concerned reading previous comments posted here, but am so glad that I made the decision to enroll my children at Palmer.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 24, 2009

Ms. Brown, new principal, has taken an active approach at trying to improve the school. My son moved from Kiln Creek Elem to Palmer for the Talented and Gifted program. I was concerned because of the ratings and reviews, but Palmer did well for my son. They had quarterly award ceremonies and monthly parent involvement meetings. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of parent involvement, but the school is working in the right direction.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 3, 2007

Second yr now that the SOL scores were way down,took four months on a child study request,principle seems to have an attitude,class change made big difference in academics,poor communication from first 4th grade teacher and principal. Michele in the office is the only good thing there at Palmer.Child complains that the food is cold at lunch. My child will not be going there next yr.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 25, 2007

As a parent of a smart 4th grader, I have to state the current issues as of 4-25-07. My husband and I have repeatedly given notes to be contacted my the principal since before spring break. But no call back. There is NO play time outside. Somedays they get 10mins. outside. I think on top of learning the kids need a bit of fresh air as well. The homework given takes my child till bedtime to do. They want the kids to read & math do studying for 30 mins each. Each night. My child gets home at 5pm off the bus. It's a long bus ride because we live next to Hampton. My concerns have not been addressed.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
English: Reading

The state average for English: Reading was 86% in 2012.

93 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
81%

2011

 
 
73%

2010

 
 
77%

2009

 
 
88%

2008

 
 
77%
History and Social Science

The state average for History and Social Science was 87% in 2012.

93 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
70%

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
89%

2008

 
 
83%
Math

The state average for Math was 64% in 2012.

88 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
48%

2011

 
 
89%

2010

 
 
95%

2009

 
 
87%

2008

 
 
77%
Science

The state average for Science was 90% in 2012.

93 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
87%

2011

 
 
85%

2010

 
 
91%

2009

 
 
77%

2008

 
 
77%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

The state average for English: Reading was 88% in 2012.

94 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
74%

2011

 
 
82%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
84%

2008

 
 
85%
History and Social Science

The state average for History and Social Science was 84% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 70% in 2012.

90 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
66%

2011

 
 
95%

2010

 
 
81%

2009

 
 
79%

2008

 
 
87%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

The state average for English: Reading was 89% in 2012.

100 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
79%

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
94%

2008

 
 
80%
English: Writing

The state average for English: Writing was 87% in 2012.

97 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
81%

2011

 
 
89%

2010

 
 
87%

2009

 
 
88%

2008

 
 
71%
History and Social Science

The state average for History and Social Science was 89% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 67% in 2012.

98 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
58%

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
95%

2009

 
 
90%

2008

 
 
77%
Science

The state average for Science was 88% in 2012.

102 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
82%

2011

 
 
82%

2010

 
 
78%

2009

 
 
76%

2008

 
 
83%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

All Students81%
Female students79%
Male students83%
Black students83%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic50%
White students100%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged78%
Not economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilities64%
Students without disabilities83%
Limited English proficient students45%
Proficient in English85%
Not migrant81%

History and Social Science

All Students70%
Female students57%
Male students83%
Black students70%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic44%
White students88%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged67%
Not economically disadvantaged87%
Students with disabilities45%
Students without disabilities73%
Limited English proficient students36%
Proficient in English74%
Not migrant70%

Math

All Students48%
Female students40%
Male students56%
Black students49%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic25%
White students69%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged43%
Not economically disadvantaged71%
Students with disabilities20%
Students without disabilities51%
Limited English proficient students18%
Proficient in English52%
Not migrant48%

Science

All Students87%
Female students85%
Male students89%
Black students89%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic71%
White students94%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged86%
Not economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilities80%
Students without disabilities88%
Limited English proficient students58%
Proficient in English91%
Not migrant87%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Virginia Department of Education. Data is not reported when there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

All Students74%
Female students78%
Male students71%
Black students76%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic72%
White students77%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged71%
Not economically disadvantaged88%
Students with disabilities45%
Students without disabilities78%
Limited English proficient students65%
Proficient in English77%
Not migrant74%

History and Social Science

All Studentsn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Not migrantn/a

Math

All Students66%
Female students70%
Male students61%
Black students64%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic68%
White students69%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged62%
Not economically disadvantaged81%
Students with disabilities50%
Students without disabilities68%
Limited English proficient students71%
Proficient in English64%
Not migrant66%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Virginia Department of Education. Data is not reported when there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

All Students79%
Female students84%
Male students73%
Black students71%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic69%
White students97%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged73%
Not economically disadvantaged96%
Students with disabilities53%
Students without disabilities84%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English80%
Not migrant79%

English: Writing

All Students81%
Female students80%
Male students83%
Black students79%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic71%
American Indian studentsn/a
White students89%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged81%
Not economically disadvantaged83%
Students with disabilities55%
Students without disabilities89%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English80%
Not migrant81%

History and Social Science

All Studentsn/a
Male studentsn/a
Students identified as economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Proficient in Englishn/a
Not migrantn/a

Math

All Students58%
Female students57%
Male students59%
Black students54%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic56%
White students63%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged49%
Not economically disadvantaged84%
Students with disabilities64%
Students without disabilities57%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English57%
Not migrant58%

Science

All Students82%
Female students78%
Male students87%
Black students80%
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic63%
White students97%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged77%
Not economically disadvantaged96%
Students with disabilities47%
Students without disabilities89%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English83%
Not migrant82%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Virginia Department of Education. Data is not reported when there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

  • In 2009-2010, this school was rated "Fully Accredited".
  • In 2008-2009, this school was rated "Fully Accredited".
  • In 2007-2008, this school was rated "Fully Accredited".

About the tests


Virginia school accreditation ratings reflect student achievement on Standards of Learning (SOL) tests and other assessments in English, history/social science, math and science. The 2009-2010 ratings are based on passing rates on tests taken during the 2008-2009 school year or on overall achievement during the three most recent years. Schools are identified as either Fully Accredited, Accredited with Warning, Conditionally Accredited or Accreditation Denied.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
Black 53% 26%
White 31% 57%
Hispanic 12% 9%
Asian/Pacific Islander 3% 6%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 65%N/A33%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 18N/A17
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

100 Palmer Lane
Newport News, VA 23602
Phone: (757) 881-5000

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