Photo: User: Kubigula · CC BY-SA 3.0Suffolk’s public schools score below 71% of Virginia districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Suffolk’s districts is 41%, below the Virginia average (54%). The grade covers the public school district serving Suffolk, 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 8 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.
Suffolk’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 181 Virginia towns with household incomes within a quarter of Suffolk’s, its schools beat 13%, lower than their 29% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,970 per student, against $17,169 across Virginia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
11 elementary schools, then five middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy (private) and Suffolk Christian 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 Suffolk’s grade
C: better than 29% of Virginia school districts, #225 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 Suffolk, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Suffolk · depends on your address
King's Fork High
Grades 9–12 · 1,686 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Nansemond River High
Grades 9–12 · 1,683 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Lakeland High
Grades 9–12 · 1,045 students · 12:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Suffolk · depends on your address
King's Fork High
Grades 9–12 · 1,686 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Nansemond River High
Grades 9–12 · 1,683 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Lakeland High
Grades 9–12 · 1,045 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Suffolk’s public schools are run by Suffolk 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
Suffolk vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Virginia towns that share Suffolk’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Suffolk | C | Suffolk City |
| Portsmouth | D | Portsmouth City |
| Chesapeake | B+ | Chesapeake City |
| Newport News | C | Newport News City |
Every school in Suffolk
21 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: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Turlington Woods Alternative, The College and Career Academy at Pruden and FIRST Academy).
Questions about Suffolk’s schools
Are Suffolk’s schools good?
On Virginia’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Suffolk children attend score below 71% of Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #225 of 250 Virginia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 13%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Suffolk in?
Suffolk City Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 14,565 students in 19 schools (2024–25).
Where do Suffolk kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: King's Fork High, Nansemond River High and Lakeland High.
What is Suffolk’s graduation rate?
86% of the class of 2023 in Suffolk City Public Schools graduated in four years, against 89% across Virginia.
How much does Suffolk spend per student?
$14,970 in Suffolk City Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,169 across Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Suffolk?
Yes: Nansemond-Suffolk Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 1,001 students) and Suffolk Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 273 students).
Parents talk
What Suffolk families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Suffolk → 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.