Ocean View Elementary School

350 West Government Avenue

School District

Norfolk City Public Schools
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:11
Type

public

School Map for Norfolk City Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 20, 2022

Purple star for Military Families school with fantastic teachers and staff.
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2021

Our daughter has gone here for 4 years now and we love it. She was in Kindergarten when the school reopened with the new building. We had a major issue with how one of her teachers was speaking to her, met with the principal to air our grievances and she was placed in a new class the next day. My daughter has also utilized the military counselor for years and they have helped her out a ton. We really love the school and are excited for our son to start there next year.
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2018

This is the best school in Norfolk. It was excellent (a national honor school) when located in the building that was demolished in 2018, but it is even better now that it is housed in a brand-new building. Kids, teachers, and parents love this happy, safe school. People won't move out of this district because the school is wonderful. (It's why I bought my house nearby.)
Submitted by other on November 22, 2017

They will not return your phone calls or requests for conference if your child has been bullied.
Submitted by other on November 21, 2017

This is an admin that does not know how to function properly. Sad that building a new school may not change the problems that line the halls each day.
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2016

My daughter is in fifth grade and her teacher Ms Taylor so far is doing a great job, Ms Collins in the office is wonderful and The principal is always outside in the mornings greeting and watching the students. Linda Barnes the nurse is very nice.
Submitted by other on June 15, 2016

I love this school. I have two kids going there (second and kindergarten). The teachers are friendly, the school is charming, the office staff is very knowledgable and friendly, they've all been very helpful with any questions I've had. The principle! He stands at the front door just about every single morning and is almost presidential. Very well dressed all the time.. He wears bow ties! I love it, makes him seem very approachable and my kids love it too. He's always so nice. ( And handsome too! ) I'm very happy with this school. My son has been found to be gifted in math and the teacher is so nice. Both of my kids do very well. I'll be happy to see the new school building!!
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2016

Every single day ( rain or shine) the principle, Dr. Peterson, is outside watching the children go into school. I feel that the children are safe from predators or any harm once they step on school grounds.
Submitted by other on May 23, 2015

This school held my most wonderful achievements in academia. Brilliant teaching methods and student care. My class learned over fifty dinosaur names including Latin classification and identification by sight and/or description. We had learned that along with reading at a first grade level by the middle of our kindergarten year. Exemplary staffing, I recommend this school above any other in the area for the junior grade level students. Bravo Ocean View Elementary, GO-O-O DOLPHINS!
Submitted by parent on August 03, 2014

Daughters went there for a year. Was a good school for my 3rd grader but for mym2nd grader w/a learning disability(w/in the autistic spectrum) was horrible. I would be called to school when she would shut down because the teacher & counseler didnt even bother to try to help or understand. I could be there for 5 minutes or a few hours sitting in the hallway helping her w/class work. It took 5 months to get her IEP 're-written from her previous school! I was constantly meeting w/the teacher to make sure she was recieving help. It got so bad my daughter started giving up. When it came SOL time my 3rd grader was so stressed out she would come home sick from it. They put so much pressure on them lead in up to it. When it was SOL time the school was all but on lockdown it was ridiculous. They were not very military friendly or understand either.
Submitted by parent on July 09, 2014

Grading policies, and teaching guidelines are inconsistent. Teacher didn't monitor AR reading program. When confronted with this leadership said that a 6 yr old was responsible for her own AR program but teacher didn't offer student any feedback. Focused on grades/test scores. If your child is making above 80% but you feel they don't quite "get it" this will fall on deaf ears because the "data" shows otherwise. The rigor isn't there. For example my daughter received 100% on all spelling tests in 1st gr and word study HW came very easy. Tested my daughter (after we withdrew) on a Stanford exam and her spelling was at K level, in the middle of 1st grade. Had concern that grades were entered in the gradebook after the semester. Took it to Superintendent level. Got a response that they reviewed the record themselves but wouldn't show me my daughters academic record to verify. Students do a lot of work independently but if they are incorrect nobody catches it. Out of date curriculum (Daily Language Review is from 1998 (it's on amazon). Worksheets had unreadable graphics bc they were so old. One picture was an actual stamp that was $0.29. Tests had typos and grading errors.
Submitted by parent on March 07, 2014

My son currently goes to Ocean View Elementary and we are very happy with it. As a military family, you often hear that you need to live in Virginia Beach or Chesapeake to find good schools. We did our research, visited public and private schools and were very impressed with all the teachers we met at Ocean View. Now in March of his Kindergarten year, I am very happy we chose a location that was close to NAS Norfolk, and a great school for our son. Ms. Hicks is great with our son. He can be challenging to get focused, although he is above average academically. He stays challenged and has a new, fun story to tell us every day. He loves music, art, Phys Ed and especially the science projects they work on. He loves helping with the Oyster Beds as part of the maritime school project. He also attends the YWCA after school program there at the school, and is sad when I pick him up every day. He wants to stay longer to play. Smaller class sizes, teacher's aids, and more time for free play would give this school 5 stars, but you won't find that in any of the public schools anywhere today, unfortunately. We stay close to his teacher, talking and meeting often.
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2014

my daughter has attended oves for 3 years & is receiving a great education. there is not a lot of busy work, every task has a purpose. the school is very conscientious about teaching each child at their own pace..."no child left behind". conversely, students who are high achievers like my daughter are challenged & motivated. we transferred our younger daughter to oves this year for pre-k from a private school, a decision we are happy with. the faculty & staff are energetic, dedicated professionals. oves is a maritime school so the science syllabus is based on life in the Chesapeake bay, fitting given our location. 5th graders monitor oyster floats at nauticus, & participate in guiding the younger classes when they visit. students participate in fall & spring musical concerts. also noteworthy, the school is the cleanest facility I have ever seen. my husband is a military officer. when we moved to the area a few years ago we were told to live in Virginia beach because of the schools. I am sooo glad that I did my research & found oves. my husband is able to live close to his work at the naval station, we have a beautiful home & my girls are receiving a safe, solid education.
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2013

My daughter is in second grade, she has been going to this school since K. I have never had a problem with the teachers. Mr.Burch was her first teacher and he is a wonderful teacher. Ms. Perry is her teacher now and is a great teacher. The Vice principle and all the staff are wonderful. My daughter was having a hard time with reading and I talked with the vice principle and his team and found ways to help my daughter excell. I love this school.
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2013

my son went to kindergarten here had a horrible time at times he would cry when we sent him to school. He was in trouble once to three times a month (biting , hitting etc.) when I asked the teachers how it happened, none could answer.(it was always I didn't see what happened) Three teachers 27 children per class
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2013

A very good school. The teachers are nice to the students. I love this school.
Submitted by other on September 24, 2013

I don't know how this school is getting the reviews it has here. My neighbors two girls just transferred out of there. The amount of stress the teachers inflict on the children in unconsionable. They took away recess to make more time to teach the standardized test info. There are children there with eating and anxiety disorders due to the pressure put on them to just pass the test.
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2013

This school seems to have a very tense, hard-edge atmosphere. A lot of the teachers seem on edge. The kids too. My son is finishing first grade, and I'm not sure I want the rest of his schooling to be like this.
Submitted by other on March 26, 2013

I have very fond memories of my teachers and my time at Ocean View Elementary during WWII. When I moved to Texas to begin the 4th grade I felt like I was repeating third grade all over again.
Submitted by parent on November 16, 2012

As a parent of two children who attended/attend this school, I can't speak highly enough of it. The principal is very involved and can often be seen going down the hallways and interacting with the children, knowing them by name, and asking how they are. Bullying is not tolerated and is addressed quickly and effectively. I have found that the teachers my children have had have been excellent -- my eldest daughter felt that this school really helped her get on track and raise her grades.