For the 2026 school year, there are 3 public middle schools serving 1,928 students in Portsmouth City, VA.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Portsmouth City, VA are Churchland Middle School, William E. Waters Middle School and Cradock Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Portsmouth City, VA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the Virginia public middle school average of 65%), and reading proficiency score of 72% (versus the 70% statewide average). Middle schools in Portsmouth City have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Virginia public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 84% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Virginia public middle school average of 54% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Portsmouth City (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Churchland Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4051 River Shore Rd
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2512
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2512
Gr: 7-8 | 798 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #22.
William E. Waters Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
600 Roosevelt Blvd
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 558-2813
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 558-2813
Gr: 7-8 | 549 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #33.
Cradock Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
21 Alden Ave
Portsmouth, VA 23702
(757) 393-8788
Portsmouth, VA 23702
(757) 393-8788
Gr: 7-8 | 516 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Portsmouth City, VA?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Portsmouth City, VA include Churchland Middle School, William E. Waters Middle School and Cradock Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Portsmouth City?
3 public middle schools are located in Portsmouth City.
What is the racial composition of students in Portsmouth City?
Portsmouth City public middle schools minority enrollment is 84% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Virginia public middle schools average of 54% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Portsmouth City are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Portsmouth City include: William E. Waters Middle School vs. Churchland Middle School, Cradock Middle School vs. Churchland Middle School, Churchland Middle School vs. Cradock Middle School
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.
