Photo: U.S. Navy photo · Public domainPortsmouth’s public schools score below 89% of Virginia districts on tests and graduation
34% of students in Portsmouth’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Virginia average (54%). The grade covers the public school district serving Portsmouth, 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 5 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.
Portsmouth’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 213 Virginia towns with household incomes within a quarter of Portsmouth’s, its schools beat 4%, lower than their 11% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Spending, and where it came from
The district spent $17,000 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 ↓
13 elementary schools, then three middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Portsmouth Christian School (private), Portsmouth Catholic Regional School (private), Christopher Academy (private), Sweethaven Christian Academy (private), Harbor Point Behavior Health Center (private), Harbor Point Academy (private), Toras Chaim (private), Tinker Bell Daycare (private) and Court Street Academy (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 Portsmouth’s grade
D: better than 11% of Virginia school districts, #241 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 Portsmouth, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Portsmouth · depends on your address
Mount Hermon Preschool Center
Grades PK · 208 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Olive Branch Preschool Center
Grades PK · 171 students · 9:1 students per teacher
Churchland Preschool Center
Grades PK · 112 students · 10:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Portsmouth · depends on your address
Churchland Middle
Grades 7–8 · 798 students · 15:1 students per teacher
William E. Waters Middle
Grades 7–8 · 549 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Cradock Middle
Grades 7–8 · 516 students · 14:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Portsmouth · depends on your address
Churchland Middle
Grades 7–8 · 798 students · 15:1 students per teacher
William E. Waters Middle
Grades 7–8 · 549 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Cradock Middle
Grades 7–8 · 516 students · 14:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Portsmouth · depends on your address
Churchland High
Grades 9–12 · 1,453 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Manor High
Grades 9–12 · 1,149 students · 11:1 students per teacher
I.C. Norcom High
Grades 9–12 · 1,009 students · 13:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Portsmouth · depends on your address
Churchland High
Grades 9–12 · 1,453 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Manor High
Grades 9–12 · 1,149 students · 11:1 students per teacher
I.C. Norcom High
Grades 9–12 · 1,009 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Portsmouth’s public schools are run by Portsmouth 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
Portsmouth vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Virginia towns that share Portsmouth’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth | D | Portsmouth City |
| Chesapeake | B+ | Chesapeake City |
| Suffolk | C | Suffolk City |
| Norfolk | D− | Norfolk City |
| Hampton | B+ | Hampton City |
| Newport News | C | Newport News City |
Every school in Portsmouth
31 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: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (New Directions Center).
Questions about Portsmouth’s schools
Are Portsmouth’s schools good?
On Virginia’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Portsmouth children attend score below 89% of Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #241 of 250 Virginia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 4%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Portsmouth in?
Portsmouth City Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 12,905 students in 22 schools (2024–25).
Where do Portsmouth kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Churchland High, Manor High and I.C. Norcom High.
What is Portsmouth’s graduation rate?
81% of the class of 2023 in Portsmouth City Public Schools graduated in four years, against 89% across Virginia.
How much does Portsmouth spend per student?
$17,000 in Portsmouth City Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,169 across Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Portsmouth?
Yes: Portsmouth Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 522 students), Portsmouth Catholic Regional School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 188 students), Christopher Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 183 students), Sweethaven Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–11, 179 students), Harbor Point Behavior Health Center (special education, grades 6–12, 115 students), Harbor Point Academy (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 107 students), Toras Chaim (religious, grades PK–7, 100 students), Tinker Bell Daycare (religious, grades PK–K, 52 students) and Court Street Academy (religious, grades PK–3, 21 students).
Parents talk
What Portsmouth families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Portsmouth → 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.