Ruffner Middle School, Norfolk, VA

At a glance

School district: Norfolk City Public Schools
Grades served: 3-8
School type: Public
Principal: Tracey K. Flemings
Established: 1922 · this campus 1993
Mascot & colors: Bulldogs
Enrollment: 576 students (2024-2025)
Student–teacher ratio: 12:1
Classroom teachers: 47 FTE
Accreditation: Conditionally Accredited (2025-2026)
NCES school ID: 510267001134

Academic performance

SOL pass rates · 2024-2025

Reading

38%

Mathematics

25%

Science

27%

History & Social Sci.

35%

Attendance

2024-2025

32.6% of students were chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days).

About Ruffner Middle School

Ruffner Academy (officially William H. Ruffner Academy, also listed by NCES as Ruffner School) is a public school in the Norfolk City Public Schools division, located at 610 May Avenue in Norfolk, Virginia. The school was established in 1922 and is named for William Henry Ruffner (1824-1908), the designer and first superintendent of Virginia's public school system. In 1993 the school was rebuilt on a new site across the street from its original location.

Although commonly referred to as a middle school, the school serves grades 3 through 8. It sits in southeastern Norfolk and functions as a community-based neighborhood school within Norfolk City Public Schools. Athletic teams compete in the Norfolk Middle School Athletic League as the Ruffner Bulldogs.

Contact

Phone: (757) 628-2466
Office hours: Office hours 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; school day 8:15 a.m.-2:45 p.m.

Official school website ↗

Data sources

NCES Common Core of Data - Ruffner School — NCES School ID, address, phone, grades 3-8, total enrollment 576, enrollment by grade, 47.0 FTE teachers, 12.26 student/teacher ratio, locale (City, Midsize), charter status2024-2025 link ↗
Virginia School Quality Profiles - Ruffner School — Accreditation status, SOL pass rates (Reading 38, Math 25, Science 27, History 35), demographics, chronic absenteeism 32.6%, principal2024-2025 (accreditation 2025-2026) link ↗
Ruffner Academy official website (Norfolk Public Schools) — Official name (William H. Ruffner Academy), principal, phone, office/school hours, mascot (Bulldogs), founding history 1922 / rebuilt 19932026 link ↗
Wikipedia - William Ruffner Middle School (disambiguation) — Confirms W.H. Ruffner Academy in Norfolk; namesake William Henry Ruffner context. No dedicated article, no photo, no championships/alumnin/a link ↗
Norfolk Middle School Athletic League / Ruffner Bulldogs — Confirms Bulldogs athletic identity2026 link ↗

Figures reflect the 2024-2025 (NCES CCD enrollment/staffing and Virginia School Quality Profiles metrics); accreditation 2025-2026 unless noted. School zoning, boundaries, and ratings change — verify with the school division before making housing decisions.

See all homes zoned to Ruffner Middle School→

Be first to new homes near Ruffner Middle School

Get new Norfolk listings emailed as they hit the REIN MLS — free, unsubscribe anytime.

Free new-listing alerts from the VaHome Team. No spam — unsubscribe anytime.