For the 2026 school year, there are 13 public schools serving 6,420 students in Petersburg City, VA (there are 5 private schools, serving 289 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Petersburg City, VA are educated in public schools (compared to the VA state average of 89%).
The top-ranked public schools in Petersburg City, VA are Petersburg High School, Matoaca Elementary School and Ettrick Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Petersburg City, VA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 43% (versus the Virginia public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Petersburg City have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Virginia public schools.
Minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Virginia public school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Petersburg City (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Petersburg High School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3101 Johnson Road
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 862-7096
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 862-7096
Gr: 9-12 | 1,171 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #22.
Matoaca Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
6627 River Rd
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 590-3100
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 590-3100
Gr: PK-5 | 636 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #33.
Ettrick Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
20910 Chesterfield Ave.
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 520-6005
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 520-6005
Gr: PK-5 | 514 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #44.
Matoaca Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
6001 Hickory Road
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 590-3130
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 590-3130
Gr: 6-8 | 806 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #55.
Walnut Hill Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
300 S Boulevard
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 862-7005
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 862-7005
Gr: K-5 | 539 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #66.
Vernon Johns Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3101 Homestead Drive
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 862-7020
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 862-7020
Gr: 6-8 | 901 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #77.
Cool Spring Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1450 Talley Avenue
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7002
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7002
Gr: K-5 | 529 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #88.
Pleasants Lane Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
100 Pleasants Lane
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7013
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7013
Gr: K-5 | 515 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #99.
Lakemont Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
51 Gibbons St
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7007
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7007
Gr: K-5 | 404 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: n/an/a
Appomattox Regional Governor's School
Magnet School
512 W Washington St
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 722-0200
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 722-0200
Rank: n/an/a
Central St. Hosp. Ed. Pr.
Special Education School
West Washington St Extended, B
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 524-7676
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 524-7676
Gr: PK-12
Rank: n/an/a
Petersburg Regional Alternative
Alternative School
455 Old Wagner Rd., Keys Acade
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 863-2191
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 863-2191
Rank: n/an/a
1100 Patterson Street
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7010
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7010
Gr: PK | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Petersburg City Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
1450 Talley Ave
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7016
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7016
Gr: K-5 | 218 students
Blandford Program For Mathematics And Humanities (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
816 E Bank St
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7078
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7078
725 Wesley St
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7075
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7075
Gr: 6-8 | 515 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Southside Va Training Center (Closed 2025)
Special Education School
Bldg 120, Warehouse West Wash
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 524-7340
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 524-7340
Gr: PK-12
3101 Homestead Drive
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 862-7020
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 862-7020
Gr: 8-9 | 570 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
3101 Homestead Drive
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 862-7020
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 862-7020
Gr: 6-8 | 542 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Petersburg City, VA?
The top-ranked public schools in Petersburg City, VA include Petersburg High School, Matoaca Elementary School and Ettrick Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Petersburg City?
13 public schools are located in Petersburg City.
What percentage of students in Petersburg City go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Petersburg City are educated in public schools (compared to the VA state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Petersburg City?
Petersburg City public schools minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Virginia public schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Petersburg City are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Petersburg City include: Lakemont Elementary School vs. Cool Spring Elementary School, Pleasants Lane Elementary School vs. Cool Spring Elementary School, Walnut Hill Elementary School vs. Cool Spring Elementary School
Recent Articles
Public School Transportation & Commute Planning Guide
Learn how public school transportation and commute planning can help families prepare for the coming school year safely and efficiently.
New Public School Safety Protocols 2025–26 Guide
Learn how new public school safety protocols for 2025–26 affect students, parents, and schools nationwide.
How Technology Transforms Education in 2025
Explore how technology shapes learning today, with updated data, policy context, trends, and real-world implications for students, educators, and families.
