For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public preschools serving 6,887 students in Suffolk City, VA.
The top-ranked public preschools in Suffolk City, VA are Florence Bowser Elementary School, Northern Shores Elementary School and Oakland Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Suffolk City, VA public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 69% (versus the Virginia public pre school average of 71%), and reading proficiency score of 64% (versus the 67% statewide average). Pre schools in Suffolk City have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Virginia public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 71% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Virginia public preschool average of 57% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Best Public Preschools in Suffolk City (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Florence Bowser Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 83% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4540 Nansemond Pkwy
Suffolk, VA 23435
(757) 923-4164
Suffolk, VA 23435
(757) 923-4164
Gr: PK-5 | 770 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #22.
Northern Shores Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6701 Respass Beach Rd
Suffolk, VA 23435
(757) 923-4169
Suffolk, VA 23435
(757) 923-4169
Gr: PK-5 | 798 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #33.
Oakland Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
5505 Godwin Blvd
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 923-5248
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 923-5248
Gr: PK-5 | 464 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #44.
Florence Bowser Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4540 Nansemond Pkwy
Suffolk, VA 23435
(757) 923-4106
Suffolk, VA 23435
(757) 923-4106
Gr: PK-5 | 926 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #55.
Creekside Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1000 Bennetts Creek Park Road
Suffolk, VA 23435
(757) 923-4251
Suffolk, VA 23435
(757) 923-4251
Gr: PK-5 | 764 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #66.
Southwestern Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
150 Pioneer Rd
Suffolk, VA 23437
(757) 925-5782
Suffolk, VA 23437
(757) 925-5782
Gr: PK-5 | 579 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #77.
Kilby Shores Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
111 Kilby Shores Dr
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 934-6214
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 934-6214
Gr: PK-5 | 494 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #88.
Nansemond Parkway Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3012 Nansemond Pkwy
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 923-4167
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 923-4167
Gr: PK-5 | 456 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #99.
Hillpoint Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1101 Hillpoint Rd
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 925-6750
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 925-6750
Gr: PK-5 | 780 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #1010.
Elephant's Fork Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2316 William Reid Dr
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 923-5250
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 923-5250
Gr: PK-5 | 653 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1111.
Booker T. Washington Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
204 Walnut Street
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 934-6226
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 934-6226
Gr: PK-5 | 362 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #1212.
Mack Benn Jr. Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1253 Nansemond Pkwy
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 934-6224
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 934-6224
Gr: PK-5 | 713 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Suffolk City, VA?
The top-ranked public preschools in Suffolk City, VA include Florence Bowser Elementary School, Northern Shores Elementary School and Oakland Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Suffolk City?
11 public preschools are located in Suffolk City.
What is the racial composition of students in Suffolk City?
Suffolk City public preschools minority enrollment is 71% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Virginia public preschools average of 57% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public preschools in Suffolk City are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Suffolk City include: Florence Bowser Elementary School vs. Creekside Elementary School, Creekside Elementary School vs. Florence Bowser Elementary School, Elephant's Fork Elementary School vs. Hillpoint Elementary School
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.
