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The Governor's Palace -- Williamsburg (VA) September 2012Photo: Ron Cogswell · CC BY 2.0
B+
Schools in Williamsburg · Williamsburg City Public Schools

Williamsburg’s public schools outscore 72% of Virginia districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Williamsburg, 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.

#128of 250 Virginia townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Math proficiency
60%
▲ 6 pts vs VA 54%
2020–21
Graduate on time
90%
▲ 1 pts vs VA 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.8K
▼ 8% vs VA $17.2K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.2
VA 13.9
Schools in town
4
5,423 students on the public path
In brief

Williamsburg’s schools, in brief

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,787 per student, against $17,169 across Virginia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then two middle and three high schools

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Walsingham Academy (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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Williamsburg’s grade

B+ Test scoresB Graduation

B+: better than 72% of Virginia school districts, #128 of 250 Virginia towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Virginia average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Virginia school districts we grade (133)Better than 72%
Lower resultsHigher results
Virginia towns with similar household incomes (208)Better than 75%
B+A−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 5,000 test results and a graduating class of 932 could put Williamsburg anywhere from B+ to A−. The tests are from spring 2021, when about 8 in 10 of Williamsburg’s students in the tested grades sat them (5,000 students).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Williamsburg, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–5Matthew Whaley ElementaryWilliamsburg City Public SchoolsB−
6–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressC to B
9–123 high schoolsDepends on your addressB+ to A−

Williamsburg’s public schools are run by Williamsburg 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.

Williamsburg City Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 16 schools · 11,371 students, up 4% since 2020–21 · 14.2 per teacher (VA 13.9)
$15,787VA $17,169 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2020–21

How students score

Math60%
State average 54.4% · 5000 students tested

Williamsburg vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Virginia towns that share Williamsburg’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
WilliamsburgB+Williamsburg City

Every school in Williamsburg

7 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).

District schools in Williamsburgby address
Matthew Whaley Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
B−
485 students14:1Rate it →
Berkeley Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
B
666 students15:1Rate it →
James Blair Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
C
505 students13:1Rate it →
Also serving Williamsburgin other towns
Warhill High
High · Grades 9–12
A−
1,277 students16:1Rate it →
Lafayette High
High · Grades 9–12
B+
1,247 students17:1Rate it →
Jamestown High
High · Grades 9–12
A−
1,243 students17:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Walsingham Academy
Grades PK–12
Private · Catholic
498 students19:1Rate it →

Questions about Williamsburg’s schools

Are Williamsburg’s schools good?

By Virginia’s own tests, yes: the public schools Williamsburg children attend outscore 72% of Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #128 of 250 Virginia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 75%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Williamsburg in?

Williamsburg City Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 11,371 students in 16 schools (2024–25).

Where do Williamsburg kids go to high school?

One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Warhill High, Lafayette High and Jamestown High.

What is Williamsburg’s graduation rate?

90% of the class of 2023 in Williamsburg City Public Schools graduated in four years, against 89% across Virginia.

How much does Williamsburg spend per student?

$15,787 in Williamsburg City Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,169 across Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Williamsburg?

Yes: Walsingham Academy (Catholic, grades PK–12, 498 students).

Parents talk

What Williamsburg families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Williamsburg → 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.