Serving 1,683 students in grades 9-12, Nansemond River High School ranks in the top 30% of all schools in Virginia for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 65-69% (which is approximately equal to the Virginia state average of 68%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 87% (which is higher than the Virginia state average of 69%).
The student-teacher ratio of 15:1 is higher than the Virginia state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Virginia state average of 56% (majority Black).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,683 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
- Minority Enrollment: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 91% (Top 50% in VA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 30%
- Math Proficiency: 65-69% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 87% (Top 10%)
- Science Proficiency: 68% (Top 30%)
- Attendance Zone: Nanesmond River High serves the northeast part of Suffolk, VA, covering an area of approximately 37.3 square miles. Families within this zone can expect a typical drive to the school of 10 to 12 minutes, with the furthest edge of the zone being about 8.8 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Nansemond River High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Virginia for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
School Overview
Nansemond River High School's student population of 1,683 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 109 teachers has grown by 7% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
1,683 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
109 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1990
School Calendar
School Motto
Creating Achievers: From Classroom to Community
School Rankings
Nansemond River High School ranks within the top 30% of all 1,773 schools in Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Nansemond River High School is 0.66, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#524 out of 1773 schools
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
65-69%
68%
Showing 2011–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)87%
69%
Showing 2011–2021. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)68%
59%
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
14:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
3%
8%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 32-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
10%
20%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Black
49%
21%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
White
30%
44%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
8%
7%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
91%
88.8%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)16.7%
19.1%
Eligible for Free Lunch
69%
57%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 32-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (21-22)
4%
5%
Showing 2013–2022. Full 24-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
White, Black, Red
School Mascot
Wildcats
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nansemond River High School's ranking?
Nansemond River High School is ranked #524 out of 1,773 schools, which ranks it among the top 30% of public schools in Virginia.
What schools are Nansemond River High School often compared to?
Nansemond River High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like King's Fork High School, Lakeland High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
65-69% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 68% VA state average), while 87% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 69% VA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Nansemond River High School?
The graduation rate of Nansemond River High School is 91%, which is higher than the Virginia state average of 88.8%.
How many students attend Nansemond River High School?
1,683 students attend Nansemond River High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
49% of Nansemond River High School students are Black, 30% of students are White, 10% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are Two or more races, and 3% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Nansemond River High School?
Nansemond River High School has a student ration of 15:1, which is higher than the Virginia state average of 14:1.
What grades does Nansemond River High School offer ?
Nansemond River High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Nansemond River High School part of?
Nansemond River High School is part of Suffolk City School District.
School Reviews
Review Nansemond River High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
When a Public School Cancels a Course Your Child Needs
Learn what parents can do when public schools cancel essential courses, including protecting graduation credits, finding approved alternatives, requesting substitutions, and preventing disruptions to college or career plans before deadlines.
Verify School Assignment Before Buying a House
Before buying a house, learn how to verify your child's assigned public school, check conflicting property listings, confirm enrollment eligibility, and avoid costly school assignment surprises before closing on a property.
School Bus Commute Times: What Parents Should Know
Discover how long school bus commutes really take, why routes vary, and what parents should ask about pickup times, student fatigue, transportation reliability, and daily schedules before choosing schools.
