Sewells Point Elementary School

7928 Hampton Boulevard

School District

Norfolk City Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:10
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 September 23, 2024

My child currently attends this school and he was suspended the second week of school because of his behavior. My son is 5. He is non-verbal and level 3 on the autism spectrum, suffering from mixed receptive-expressive language disorder. He’s been attending school since the age of three. Recently attending Easton pre school. While attending Easton, I’ve seen a tremendously positive change in his behavior, communication, and speaking skills. After leaving Easton and now attending Sewell’s point, he has relapsed back to hitting, throwing objects, and spitting. His IEP and medical records states that he may distribute this behavior if he’s not properly redirected. I’ve been called multiple times to come and pick him up. I’ve also tried to help as much as I can by, providing his favorite toys, learning activities, advice on how to redirect him, and even providing his favorite treats. I’ve asked to have a meeting multiple times and have yet to receive a meeting date and time. I really want to remove him from the school and just home school him. I’m new to this and it’s really tough because I know a school setting is best for his social skills, but the school is not helping much at all. The staff is not that friendly. One time I was called by the teacher and the principal because they could not handle him. I was informed that he knocked the principal’s glasses off her face and he ripped the assistant principal shirt. Upon arriving to the school, the principal saw a scratch on my sons arm and immediately stated that it was self inflicted. The scratch was old and he obtained the scratch from my nephew when they were playing. She automatically ASSUMED my son did that to himself just to keep from being the blame. I understand my son can be a handful at times, but with a patience and a calm tone, he can easily be redirected. I don’t trust that he’s being properly handle and it scares me because he can not tell me what makes him so upset and why he doesn’t enjoy going to school. I don’t recommend this school for special needs children at all.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2022

Front office staff was very unwelcoming. They treat people as numbers like at a dmv. They were unfriendly and down right hateful.
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2020

The teachers at the school are phenomenal. They worked diligently to get my children up to standards.
Submitted by parent on July 28, 2019

My son started attending this school last year and I can’t say enough wonderful things about his experience. He had the most amazing teachers, Ms. Brinkley for 2nd grade, and Ms. McNeil for Special Ed. He had attended 2 other private schools that were not able to meet his needs for Dyslexia. He was able to catch up to his grade level in Reading this year because of the tremendous efforts of his teachers and staff at this school. They also have a great PTA that does wonderful activities for the kids like Game Night and for the teachers. We are happy to say we have a lot of Pointer Pride for this school!
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2019

Amazing! The staff here really cares and it shows in the grades and attitudes of the students!
Submitted by parent on July 30, 2018

We have been very happy with the educational experience our children have received at Sewells Point. All of the staff seem to care about children and work their hardest to challenge them. They are very welcoming to military families and have programs throughout the year to honor military kids. Only wish is that they had more recess.
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2018

I just returned home from the 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony (Graduation) of my third child to graduate from Sewells Point Elementary. The cafeteria was decorated beautifully, the children were all dressed up, and without being told to, so were the parents. I had anxiously reviewed schools in the area prior to relocating here, and was worried that I was "settling." I needn't have worried. For those of you who like test scores, my child receive a perfect 600 on 3 out of 4 of his 5th grade Virginia SOLs, after having attended this school for the last 3 1/2 years. The school recognized all the children who received at least one perfect test score (there were 12 students in 2018), as well as the children who came one question away from getting a perfect score (there were 7). Then they made a big to-do about a rare occurrence: one student at the school had achieved a perfect 600 on all 4 of her SOLs. For those of you anxiously attempting to interpret all the test data on this site, that high achiever is black. I have never observed or even heard rumors of any racism in this school. This school has done an effective job teaching children from a variety of races, income levels, nationalities, and parental military ranks. Speaking of military, a large portion of the students at this school have at least one parent in the military. The school is respectful and supportive of this. From a Veteran's Day concert to Month of the Military Child displays, these kids never have to second guess that their parents are doing great things. This school doesn't just teach to test scores. Fourth graders who are doing well musically can take part in "All-City Recorders." They have an effective 5th grade strings program (sign-up the day your child brings the paper home. Spaces can fill within 24 hours). If your student stays local for middle school, there are middle school orchestra programs throughout the city, the best of which is probably the one at Blair Middle School (I believe that is the zoned school for everyone attending this elementary school). Then there have been after school activities. These can vary from year to year, but the last few years have included: Girls on the Run, Kids on the Move, Robotics Club, and coding.Overall, I feel that the time my children have spent in this school has given them a strong foundation for academics and life.
Submitted by parent on October 13, 2017

I stopped in for a visit after PCSing to Norfolk to see if I wanted to live in this school district. When I walked up to the receptionist (the face of the school) to ask for a tour it was like I interrupted her nap. She had terrible customer service; I may as well had been talking to a tree. No eye contact and an attitude that said why are you bothering me. This visit was saved when the principal took me and my son around the entire school. She was very sweet, caring and attentive and so were the teachers. After visiting other schools I decided to got with Sewells Point Elementary. I went back to the school to get information on how to register my son and again I was met by the same terrible customer service of the receptionist. She told me the only way my son could start school is if I had his birth certificate that was in my package that wouldn't show up to Norfolk for anther 90 days. It is as if this school doesn't understand how the military works or that first time moms don't know everything. It wasn't until I asked to speak to someone else that I was told I can get an affidavit until I order a new birth certificate. Why did she not give me that option? If the receptionist was more welcoming and had an ounce of customer service this school would have easily got at 5 star.
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2017

My son is going into the 3rd grade, he is nervous about switching schools so I brought him with me to get registered. The receptionist at the front desk was rude, I hate to add anything negative to what seems to be a great school; however, she made it uncomfortable and displayed the personality of a tree stump. When I called today, I could tell it was her on the phone and the same unprofessional tone and service. This is unfortunate because the Principal was as friendly as could be! I hope she finds better days and realizes she is the front face of an elementary school, not a prison.
Submitted by parent on March 27, 2015

I Love my kids pre k teachers and the Principal is very helpful!! All of the staff that I have personally encountered were very nice as well.
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2015

Sewells Point Elementary is a great school. I am so very pleased with the front office and the school nurse, Mrs. Martin. Mrs. Martin has to coordinate with my grandson's doctor's office and me on a regular basis and she does so with grace and patience. I do so appreciate her help and professionalism. Logan's teachers are so sweet to him when he needed it most, kindergarten and first grade. Mrs. Krieger rewarded him everyday he was in K, new at this school and after riding the school bus so long at five years old. This made him willing to work hard and learn so much. I watched him bloom. Now in first grade Mrs. Moore gave him such a fun Christmas and holiday celebrations with fun Fridays, he is working so hard and making honor roll two quarters in a row. He likes school and his friends. Yes it is the love of excellent and skillful teachers that make that happen. Thank you so very much.
Submitted by parent on August 11, 2014

My kids are in their 2nd year starting in September at Sewell's and I just think this school is by far the best school I've seen. The teachers, Counselors, and Faculty are all very nice. I recommend this school to everyone.
Submitted by teacher on October 24, 2013

this school is pieceful ,fun, and loven.if i had cousens i would devinnoly tell them to go to the most wanted scool if we win then it will be the most wanted school
Submitted by parent on October 17, 2013

Both my older children go to Sewell's Point Elementary and I believe it's a outstanding school with great potential. My oldest has been at Sewell's Point since 2nd grade and he is now in 5th grade. He was previously at Creekside Elememtary in Suffolk and was doing okay academically. He has definitely blossomed after being at Sewell's Point. My youngest had some learning issues in preschool and was afraid of his performance in elementary. However he is doing great and he had a wonderful kindergarten and first grade teacher (Ms. Harvey and Mrs. Wayne). The teachers here are the best around and are very involved. My oldest had went to three elementary schools before starting here (military moves) and this has been such a great experience for him. The only issue I have is the lack of a full-time nurse. They currently share a nurse with another elementary school and both my kids have severe food allergies, so that doesn't enlighten me too much. My youngest also has asthma. Thankfully I work down the street however that is acceptable for the school not having a fulltime nurse.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2013

I have three daughters attending this school so I have been in contact with many teachers and staff, and they are all very professional and helpful. The principal and vice principal are always accessible and friendly. The IEP process was quick and efficiently done. The curriculum is challenging and engages the students. It is a good school, it has some outstanding teachers, and your child will learn a lot here.
Submitted by parent on April 27, 2012

My children have been attending Sewells Point since 2007 and I must say that I have no real complaints about the school. Ms. Wrushen and Ms. Harvey do a fantastic job in resolving any issues you may have. The comment the last review made was offensive. My family is an enlisted navy family so by anyone saying the reason why someone might be turned off from the school based on military affiliation is rude and very obnoxious. Yes there are a lot of military children in general at Sewells Point that's because of the 2 large military housing communities the school serves that doesn't make it good nor bad, just unique. The teachers go far and beyond to help make your child's educational experience fun, exciting and challenging!
Submitted by parent on March 22, 2012

We are a navy officer family and our child goes to this school. He is receiving a comparable education to the one he received in Middletown, RI and far better than the magnet schools in Jacksonville, FL. The principal does an outstanding job with the students. The curriculum is challenging. I think a lot of people are turned off by the school because there are quite a few enlisted families at the school. Norfolk public schools are definitely improving. We have been very pleased thus far.