Photo: US Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not specified · Public domainChesapeake’s public schools outscore 67% of Virginia districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Chesapeake, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Virginia, not nationally.
From Virginia state tests taken in spring 2021, when nearly all of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Chesapeake’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 168 Virginia towns with household incomes within a quarter of Chesapeake’s, its schools beat 57%, lower than their 67% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,117 per student, against $17,169 across Virginia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
20 elementary schools, then ten middle and seven high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Atlantic Shores Christian School (private), Stonebridge School (private), Mt. Pleasant Christian School (private), Great Bridge Presbyterian Preschool (private), Chesapeake Montessori School (private), Aldersgate New Creation Umc Kinder Prep (private), Great Bridge Christian Academy (private), Cedar Road Christian Academy (private), Hickory Ridge Academy and Early Learning Center (private), Montessori Academy of Virginia (private), Great Hope Baptist School (private), Deep Creek Country Day School (private), Veritas Collegiate Academy (private), Promote Family Preschool & Childcare (private), Immanuel Christian Learning Center (private), Tidewater Adventist Academy (private), Montessouri Lab School (private), Indian Creek-Welcome Baptist Church School (private), Cathedral of Faith Christian School (private) and Great Bridge Preschool and Kindergarten (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Chesapeake’s grade
B+: better than 67% of Virginia school districts, #139 of 250 Virginia towns. Test scores are above the Virginia average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Chesapeake, with each school’s own grade.
Chesapeake’s public schools are run by Chesapeake City Public Schools. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
How students score
Chesapeake vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Virginia towns that share Chesapeake’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake | B+ | Chesapeake City |
| Portsmouth | D | Portsmouth City |
| Virginia Beach | A | Virginia Beach City |
| Suffolk | C | Suffolk City |
| Norfolk | D− | Norfolk City |
Every school in Chesapeake
65 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Virginia’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 5 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Tidewater Juvenile Detention Home - Chesapeake, Southeastern Va Tr Ctr Ep, Chesapeake Career Center, Chesapeake Center for Student Success and Grassfield High School Governor's STEM Academy).
Questions about Chesapeake’s schools
Are Chesapeake’s schools good?
By Virginia’s own tests, yes: the public schools Chesapeake children attend outscore 67% of Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #139 of 250 Virginia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 57%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Chesapeake in?
Chesapeake City Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 40,607 students in 45 schools (2024–25).
Where do Chesapeake kids go to high school?
One of 7 high schools, depending on your address: Grassfield High, Oscar F. Smith High, Western Branch High, Deep Creek High, Indian River High, Hickory High and Great Bridge High.
What is Chesapeake’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in Chesapeake City Public Schools graduated in four years, against 89% across Virginia.
How much does Chesapeake spend per student?
$16,117 in Chesapeake City Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,169 across Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Chesapeake?
Yes: Atlantic Shores Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 852 students), Stonebridge School (religious, grades PK–12, 494 students), Mt. Pleasant Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 358 students), Great Bridge Presbyterian Preschool (religious, grades PK–K, 155 students), Chesapeake Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 151 students), Aldersgate New Creation Umc Kinder Prep (religious, grades PK–1, 141 students), Great Bridge Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–7, 134 students), Cedar Road Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–4, 133 students), Hickory Ridge Academy and Early Learning Center (religious, grades PK–K, 114 students), Montessori Academy of Virginia (nonsectarian, grades PK–3, 111 students), Great Hope Baptist School (religious, grades PK–12, 101 students), Deep Creek Country Day School (nonsectarian · all-girls, grades PK–K, 98 students), Veritas Collegiate Academy (religious, grades K–12, 78 students), Promote Family Preschool & Childcare (religious, grades PK–3, 78 students), Immanuel Christian Learning Center (religious, grades PK–K, 68 students), Tidewater Adventist Academy (religious, grades PK–8, 51 students), Montessouri Lab School (religious, grades , 25 students), Indian Creek-Welcome Baptist Church School (religious, grades K–12, 23 students), Cathedral of Faith Christian School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 16 students) and Great Bridge Preschool and Kindergarten (nonsectarian, grades K, 15 students).
Parents talk
What Chesapeake families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Chesapeake → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2020–21, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Virginia. Stars are from neighbors.