- Enrollment
- 1,723
- Students per teacher
- 15.5:1
- Resource Index
- 42/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Newport News, VA
L.F. Palmer Elementary
Federal NCES profile for L.F. Palmer Elementary, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 40/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 510264001060
👥 S:T ratio 31
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 7
📋 Attendance 51
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
L.F. Palmer Elementary earns 40/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 92% of Virginia schools.
- #12 of 27
- schools in Newport News · Resource Index
- 40
- Resource Index · Typical
- 17.2:1
- large classes for Virginia
- 88.9%
- free-lunch eligible
L.F. Palmer Elementary has class sizes larger than 92% of Virginia schools. Computed live against every Virginia school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, L.F. Palmer Elementary ranks #12 of 27 schools in Newport News, VA.
School address
District: Newport News City Public Schools · Virginia
NCES ID 510264001060 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+44 students YoY
L.F. Palmer Elementary grew from 433 students in 2022-23 to 477 in 2023-24 (+10.2%).
Teacher FTE lost 27.0 → 25.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+44 students YoY 510264001060 · Newport News, VA Other · SMALL · TRAD
465 enr · 17.2:1 · 88.9% lunch · RII 40
Nearest enrollment peer: Woodside High (1,723 students)
L.F. Palmer Elementary grew from 433 students in 2022-23 to 477 in 2023-24 (+10.2%). Teacher FTE lost 27.0 → 25.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Virginia schools → · Find another →
L.F. Palmer Elementary in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Woodside High
Woodside High
1,723 students
- Menchville Hig
Menchville High
1,707 students
- Warwick High
Warwick High
1,622 students
- Denbigh High
Denbigh High
1,269 students
- Heritage High
Heritage High
1,106 students
- This school 465
L.F. Palmer Elementary
465 students
What this shows L.F. Palmer Elementary reports 465 students on the CCD universe file.
How L.F. Palmer Elementary compares
L.F. Palmer Elementary is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Virginia and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Virginia | Virginia avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 17.2:1 | ▲ 24% | 13.9:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 88.9% | ▲ 54% | 57.6% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 465 | top 64% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
17.2:1
Leaner classes than 29% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
465
Bigger than 57% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
88.9%
free-lunch eligible
- 54% above the Virginia average of 57.6%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
17.2:1
students per teacher
- 24% above state mean
Top 92% in Virginia - lower ratio than 8% of state schools
Between 16:1 and 20:1, squarely in the typical U.S. public-school staffing range.
Engagement
19.8%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 15-20% range, nearing the "high" absenteeism threshold.
Funding equity
$16,082
per pupil, district-wide
- above Virginia avg of $15,892
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 465 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
34
in-school suspensions + 26 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 7.3 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 12.9 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 43.4%
African American 40.9%
Two or More 7.3%
White 6.7%
Asian 1.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.6%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 43.4% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 63.4/100
Simpson diversity index - at 63.4, L.F. Palmer Elementary is more mixed than the Virginia school average of 53.7.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Newport News City Public Schools reports $16,082 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How L.F. Palmer Elementary Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodside High | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Menchville High | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Warwick High | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Denbigh High | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Heritage High | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to L.F. Palmer Elementary's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,707
- Students per teacher
- 16.6:1
- Resource Index
- 42/100
- Enrollment
- 1,622
- Students per teacher
- 14.5:1
- Resource Index
- 28/100
- Enrollment
- 1,269
- Students per teacher
- 13.9:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
- Enrollment
- 1,106
- Students per teacher
- 14:1
- Resource Index
- 40/100
Similar other schools in Newport News
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Joseph H. Saunders Elementary
Standard public school
660 students 17.4:1 students per teacher
Achievable Dream Academy
Standard public school
641 students 17.3:1 students per teacher
Carver Elementary
Standard public school
634 students 18.6:1 students per teacher
Discovery Stem Academy
Standard public school
561 students 15.2:1 students per teacher
Kiln Creek Elementary
Standard public school
553 students 14.9:1 students per teacher
Katherine Johnson Elementary
Standard public school
553 students 16.8:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~465 students)
Frequently asked questions about L.F. Palmer Elementary
How many students attend L.F. Palmer Elementary?
L.F. Palmer Elementary has 465 students enrolled. It is a public school in Newport News, VA. CCD year-over-year: 433 (2022-23) → 477 (2023-24), up 44.
What is the student-teacher ratio at L.F. Palmer Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at L.F. Palmer Elementary is 17.2:1, which is 24% higher than the Virginia average of 13.9:1 and 10% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at L.F. Palmer Elementary?
88.9% of students at L.F. Palmer Elementary are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Virginia average of 57.6%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of L.F. Palmer Elementary?
The largest demographic group at L.F. Palmer Elementary is Hispanic or Latino at 43.4% of enrollment, in Newport News, VA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 63.4/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for L.F. Palmer Elementary?
L.F. Palmer Elementary has a Resource Investment Index of 40/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does L.F. Palmer Elementary rank among schools in Newport News?
By Resource Investment Index, L.F. Palmer Elementary ranks #12 of 27 schools in Newport News, VA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Newport News on the city page.
What other schools are in Newport News City Public Schools?
Besides L.F. Palmer Elementary, Newport News City Public Schools also operates Woodside High (1,723 students), Menchville High (1,707 students), and Warwick High (1,622 students). See the Newport News City Public Schools district page for the complete list.