Photo: APK · CC BY-SA 4.0Winchester’s public schools score below 53% of Virginia districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Winchester, 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.
Winchester’s schools, in brief
Spending and class size
The district spends $19,639 per student, against $17,169 across Virginia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Daniel Morgan Middle, then John Handley High. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Sacred Heart Academy (private) and Grafton-Ruth Birch Campus (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 Winchester’s grade
B−: better than 47% of Virginia school districts, #198 of 250 Virginia towns. Both inputs trail the Virginia average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Winchester, with each school’s own grade.
5th grade in Winchester
Daniel Morgan Intermediate
Grades 5–6 · 575 students · 21:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Winchester
Daniel Morgan Intermediate
Grades 5–6 · 575 students · 21:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Winchester
Daniel Morgan Middle
Grades 7–8 · 642 students · 22:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Winchester
Daniel Morgan Middle
Grades 7–8 · 642 students · 22:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Winchester
John Handley High
Grades 9–12 · 1,361 students · 22:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Winchester
John Handley High
Grades 9–12 · 1,361 students · 22:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Winchester
John Handley High
Grades 9–12 · 1,361 students · 22:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Winchester
John Handley High
Grades 9–12 · 1,361 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Winchester’s public schools are run by Winchester 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
Winchester vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Virginia towns that share Winchester’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Winchester | B− | Winchester City |
Every school in Winchester
10 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).
Questions about Winchester’s schools
Are Winchester’s schools good?
On Virginia’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Winchester children attend score below 53% of Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #198 of 250 Virginia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 43%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Winchester in?
Winchester City Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,362 students in 7 schools (2024–25).
Where do Winchester kids go to high school?
John Handley High, with 1,361 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Winchester’s graduation rate?
87% of the class of 2023 in Winchester City Public Schools graduated in four years, against 89% across Virginia.
How much does Winchester spend per student?
$19,639 in Winchester City Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,169 across Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Winchester?
Yes: Sacred Heart Academy (Catholic, grades PK–8, 242 students) and Grafton-Ruth Birch Campus (special education, grades 2–12, 83 students).
Parents talk
What Winchester families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Winchester → 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.