Education in Norfolk, Virginia facts for kids
Norfolk, Virginia, is a city with many great places to learn! You can find all kinds of schools here, both public and private, spread out across the city.
Schools for All Ages
Norfolk has a big public school system called Norfolk Public Schools. This system includes 5 high schools, 9 middle schools, 35 elementary schools, and 9 special schools for younger kids or those with special needs.
In 2005, Norfolk Public Schools won a really important award called the Broad Prize for Urban Education. This award, which came with $1 million, recognized the schools for doing a great job helping all students learn and improve. They were especially good at helping students from different backgrounds succeed. Norfolk had also been nominated for this award in 2003 and 2004, showing their consistent effort.
Besides the public schools, Norfolk also has several private schools. The oldest one is Norfolk Academy, which started way back in 1728!
Learning After High School: Colleges and Universities
If you're thinking about college, Norfolk has lots of options! The city is home to three public universities and one private university. There's also a community college campus right in the downtown area.
- Old Dominion University: This university started in 1930 as part of another college. It became its own independent university in 1962. Today, Old Dominion University, often called ODU, offers many different study programs. You can choose from 68 programs for your first college degree and 95 programs for advanced degrees.
- Eastern Virginia Medical School: Founded in 1973, this school focuses on medical education. It's known for its important research, especially in reproductive medicine. You can find EVMS in the Ghent District, which is a major medical area in the region.
- Norfolk State University: This is one of the largest universities in the country where most students are Black. It offers many different programs in the liberal arts, which means you can study a wide range of subjects like history, literature, and science.
- Virginia Wesleyan University: This is a smaller, private liberal arts college. It's located right on the edge of Norfolk, sharing its eastern border with the nearby city of Virginia Beach.
- Tidewater Community College: This college offers two-year degrees and special training programs. It's a great place to start your college education or learn specific job skills. The campus is located in downtown Norfolk.
