For the 2024-25 school year, there are 24 public schools serving 13,371 students in Portsmouth City, VA (there are 16 private schools, serving 1,784 private students). 88% of all K-12 students in Portsmouth City, VA are educated in public schools (compared to the VA state average of 89%).
The top ranked public schools in Portsmouth City, 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 City, 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 City 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 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Portsmouth City (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Churchland Middle School
Magnet 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
| 890 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
| 1,435 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
| 1,236 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Churchland Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 767 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
William E. Waters Middle School
Magnet 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
| 534 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
| 1,043 students
Rank: #77.
Cradock Middle School
Magnet 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
| 533 students
Rank: #88.
Victory Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 589 students
Rank: #99.
Churchland Primary & Intermediate
Magnet School
(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
| 541 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Hodges Manor Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 499 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Simonsdale Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 612 students
Rank: #1212.
Churchland Academy Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 585 students
Rank: #1313.
Westhaven Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 442 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Lakeview Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 419 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Park View Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 463 students
Rank: #1616.
Cradock Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 622 students
Rank: #1717.
Waterview Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 639 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
| 550 students
Rank: #1919.
Brighton Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 411 students
Rank: n/an/a
Churchland Preschool Center
Magnet School
4061 River Shore Road
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2533
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2533
Grades: PK
| 114 students
Rank: n/an/a
Cradock Technical & Career Center
Vocational School
Magnet School
Magnet School
4300 George Washington Highway
Portsmouth, VA 23702
(757) 393-8117
Portsmouth, VA 23702
(757) 393-8117
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Mount Hermon Preschool Center
Magnet School
3000 North St.
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8825
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8825
Grades: PK
| 256 students
Rank: n/an/a
New Directions Center
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
Olive Branch Preschool Center
Magnet School
415 Mimosa Road
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2926
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2926
Grades: PK
| 191 students
Portsmouth City Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
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
Hunt-mapp Middle School (Closed 2006)
Magnet School
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 City, VA?
The top ranked public schools in Portsmouth City, VA include Churchland Middle School, Churchland High School and Manor High School.
How many public schools are located in Portsmouth City?
24 public schools are located in Portsmouth City.
What percentage of students in Portsmouth City go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in Portsmouth City are educated in public schools (compared to the VA state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Portsmouth City?
Portsmouth City public schools minority enrollment is 84% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Virginia public schools average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Portsmouth City are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Portsmouth City 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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