For the 2025 school year, there are 23 public schools serving 13,161 students in Portsmouth, VA (there are 15 private schools, serving 1,752 private students). 88% of all K-12 students in Portsmouth, VA are educated in public schools (compared to the VA state average of 89%).
The top ranked public schools in Portsmouth, VA are Churchland Middle School, Churchland High School and Manor High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Portsmouth, VA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the Virginia public school average of 54%), and reading proficiency score of 58% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Portsmouth have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Virginia public schools.
Minority enrollment is 84% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Virginia public school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Portsmouth, VA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Churchland Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4051 River Shore Rd
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2512
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2512
Grades: 7-8
| 840 students
Rank: #22.
Churchland High School
Magnet School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4301 Cedar Ln
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2500
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2500
Grades: 9-12
| 1,452 students
Rank: #33.
Manor High School
Magnet School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1401 Elmhurst Ln
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2907
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2907
Grades: 9-12
| 1,167 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Churchland Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5601 Michael Ln
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2523
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2523
Grades: K-6
| 760 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
William E. Waters Middle School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
600 Roosevelt Blvd
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 558-2813
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 558-2813
Grades: 7-8
| 562 students
Rank: #66.
I.c. Norcom High School
Magnet School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1801 London Blvd
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-5442
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-5442
Grades: 9-12
| 1,027 students
Rank: #77.
Cradock Middle School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
21 Alden Ave
Portsmouth, VA 23702
(757) 393-8788
Portsmouth, VA 23702
(757) 393-8788
Grades: 7-8
| 526 students
Rank: #88.
Victory Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2828 Greenwood Drive
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 393-8806
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 393-8806
Grades: K-6
| 570 students
Rank: #99.
Churchland Primary & Intermediate
(Math: 33% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
5700 Hedgerow Ln
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2519
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2519
Grades: K-6
| 511 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Hodges Manor Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1201 Cherokee Rd
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2921
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2921
Grades: K-6
| 457 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Simonsdale Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4841 Clifford Street
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2917
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2917
Grades: K-6
| 609 students
Rank: #1212.
Churchland Academy Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4061 River Shore Rd
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2527
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2527
Grades: K-6
| 600 students
Rank: #1313.
Westhaven Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3701 Clifford St
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8855
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8855
Grades: K-6
| 474 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Lakeview Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1300 Horne Ave
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2901
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2901
Grades: K-6
| 405 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Park View Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
260 Elm Ave
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-8647
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-8647
Grades: K-6
| 473 students
Rank: #1616.
Cradock Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
18 Dahlgren Ave
Portsmouth, VA 23702
(757) 558-2811
Portsmouth, VA 23702
(757) 558-2811
Grades: K-6
| 606 students
Rank: #1717.
Waterview Elementary School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3649 Hartford St
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8879
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8879
Grades: K-6
| 614 students
Rank: #1818.
Douglass Park Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
34 Grand St
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 393-8646
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 393-8646
Grades: K-6
| 528 students
Rank: #1919.
Brighton Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1100 Portsmouth Blvd.
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-8870
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-8870
Grades: K-6
| 445 students
Rank: n/an/a
4061 River Shore Road
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2533
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2533
Grades: PK
| 114 students
Rank: n/an/a
3000 North St.
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8825
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8825
Grades: PK
| 227 students
Rank: n/an/a
New Directions Center
Alternative School
401 West Road
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8728
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8728
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
415 Mimosa Road
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2926
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2926
Grades: PK
| 194 students
Portsmouth, Virginia Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Cradock Technical & Career Center (Closed 2023)
Vocational School
4300 George Washington Highway
Portsmouth, VA 23702
(757) 393-8117
Portsmouth, VA 23702
(757) 393-8117
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
2200 Piedmont Ave.
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-5247
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-5247
Grades: PK
| 170 students
Excel Campus High School (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
1401 Elmhurst Ln
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2958
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2958
Grades: 12
| 141 students
3701 Willett Dr
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8806
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8806
Grades: 6-8
| 1,117 students
Portsmouth Re-ed (Closed 2008)
Special Education School
2801 Turnpike Rd
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 399-4306
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 399-4306
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Portsmouth, VA?
The top ranked public schools in Portsmouth, VA include Churchland Middle School, Churchland High School and Manor High School.
How many public schools are located in Portsmouth?
23 public schools are located in Portsmouth.
What percentage of students in Portsmouth go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in Portsmouth are educated in public schools (compared to the VA state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Portsmouth?
Portsmouth public schools minority enrollment is 84% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Virginia public schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Portsmouth are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Portsmouth include: Churchland Primary & Intermediate vs. Churchland Academy Elementary School, Churchland High School vs. I.c. Norcom High School, I.c. Norcom High School vs. Churchland High School
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