Photo: Ken Lund from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0Petersburg’s public schools score below 88% of Virginia districts on tests and graduation
In Petersburg, 26% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Virginia average (54%). The grade covers the public school district serving Petersburg, 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 about 4 in 10 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.
Petersburg’s schools, in brief
Spending, and where it came from
The district spent $16,274 per student in FY2024, against $17,169 across Virginia. 20% of its revenue that year was federal (Virginia 10%), in the last year of pandemic relief. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Vernon Johns Middle, then Petersburg High. Enrollment is up 13% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Joseph School (private) is 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 Petersburg’s grade
D: better than 12% of Virginia school districts, #240 of 250 Virginia towns. Both inputs trail the Virginia average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Petersburg, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Petersburg
Westview Early Childhood Education Center
Grades PK · 418 students · 15:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Petersburg
Vernon Johns Middle
Grades 6–8 · 949 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Petersburg
Vernon Johns Middle
Grades 6–8 · 949 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Petersburg
Vernon Johns Middle
Grades 6–8 · 949 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Petersburg
Petersburg High
Grades 9–12 · 1,215 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Petersburg
Petersburg High
Grades 9–12 · 1,215 students · 16:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Petersburg
Petersburg High
Grades 9–12 · 1,215 students · 16:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Petersburg
Petersburg High
Grades 9–12 · 1,215 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Petersburg’s public schools are run by Petersburg 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
Petersburg vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Virginia towns that share Petersburg’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Petersburg | D | Petersburg City |
| Colonial Heights | B− | Colonial Heights City |
Every school in Petersburg
8 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: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Appomattox Regional Governor's School and Petersburg Regional Alternative).
Questions about Petersburg’s schools
Are Petersburg’s schools good?
On Virginia’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Petersburg children attend score below 88% of Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #240 of 250 Virginia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 8%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Petersburg in?
Petersburg City Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,582 students in 7 schools (2024–25).
Where do Petersburg kids go to high school?
Petersburg High, with 1,215 students; its own test results earn a C.
What is Petersburg’s graduation rate?
86% of the class of 2023 in Petersburg City Public Schools graduated in four years, against 89% across Virginia.
How much does Petersburg spend per student?
$16,274 in Petersburg City Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,169 across Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Petersburg?
Yes: St. Joseph School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 177 students).
Parents talk
What Petersburg families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Petersburg → 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.