Top Rankings
Portsmouth City School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Virginia for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 23 public schools serving 12,905 students in Portsmouth City School District. This district's average testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Virginia.
Public Schools in Portsmouth City School District have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the Virginia public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 58% (versus the 70% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Virginia public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (VA)
# Schools
23 Schools
2,135 Schools
# Students
12,905 Students
1,257,051 Students
# Teachers
936 Teachers
92,248 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Portsmouth City School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 131 school districts in Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 81% has decreased from 82% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#113 out of 132 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
68%
Showing 2011–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)58%
69%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)47%
59%
Graduation Rate
81%
88.8%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)29.7%
19.1%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.49
0.72
Showing 2014–2023. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
8%
Showing 2010–2023. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
8%
20%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 28-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
69%
21%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓
% White
15%
44%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
7%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $18,228 in this school district is less than the state median of $18,383. The school district revenue/student has grown by 21% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $16,205 is less than the state median of $18,168. The school district spending/student has grown by 15% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$235 MM
$23,109 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$209 MM
$22,838 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$18,228
$18,383
Showing 2012–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$16,205
$18,168
Showing 2012–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Portsmouth City School District Public Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Churchland High School
Magnet School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4301 Cedar Ln
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2500
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2500
Gr: 9-12 | 1,453 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #22.
Manor High School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1401 Elmhurst Ln
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2907
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2907
Gr: 9-12 | 1,149 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #33.
Churchland Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5601 Michael Ln
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2523
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2523
Gr: K-6 | 721 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #44.
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: #55.
Churchland Primary & Intermediate
(Math: 69% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5700 Hedgerow Ln
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2519
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2519
Gr: K-6 | 503 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #66.
I.c. Norcom High School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1801 London Blvd
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-5442
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-5442
Gr: 9-12 | 1,009 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #77.
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: #88.
Simonsdale Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4841 Clifford Street
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2917
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2917
Gr: K-6 | 613 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #99.
Victory Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2828 Greenwood Drive
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 393-8806
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 393-8806
Gr: K-6 | 586 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #1010.
Churchland Academy Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4061 River Shore Rd
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2527
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2527
Gr: K-6 | 626 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #1111.
Hodges Manor Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1201 Cherokee Rd
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2921
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2921
Gr: K-6 | 466 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #1212.
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%
Rank: #1313.
Park View Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
260 Elm Ave
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-8647
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-8647
Gr: K-6 | 400 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #1414.
Lakeview Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1300 Horne Ave
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2901
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2901
Gr: K-6 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1515.
Westhaven Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3701 Clifford St
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8855
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8855
Gr: K-6 | 401 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #1616.
Brighton Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1100 Portsmouth Blvd.
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-8870
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-8870
Gr: K-6 | 483 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1717.
Waterview Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3649 Hartford St
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8879
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8879
Gr: K-6 | 576 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1818.
Cradock Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
18 Dahlgren Ave
Portsmouth, VA 23702
(757) 558-2811
Portsmouth, VA 23702
(757) 558-2811
Gr: K-6 | 616 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #1919.
Douglass Park Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
34 Grand St
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 393-8646
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 393-8646
Gr: K-6 | 510 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
4061 River Shore Road
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2533
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2533
Gr: PK | 112 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: n/an/a
3000 North St.
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8825
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8825
Gr: PK | 208 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: n/an/a
New Directions Center
Alternative School
401 West Road
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8728
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8728
Rank: n/an/a
415 Mimosa Road
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2926
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2926
Gr: PK | 171 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Portsmouth City School District?
Portsmouth City School District manages 23 public schools serving 12,905 students.
What is the rank of Portsmouth City School District?
Portsmouth City School District is ranked #113 out of 131 school districts in Virginia (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Virginia school districts for: Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Portsmouth City School District?
69% of Portsmouth City School District students are Black, 15% of students are White, 8% of students are Hispanic, 7% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Portsmouth City School District?
Portsmouth City School District has a student/teacher ratio of 14:1, which is equal to the Virginia state average of 14:1.
What is Portsmouth City School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $16,205 is less than the state median of $18,168. The school district spending/student has grown by 15% over four school years.
Recent Articles
Can Your Child Get Into School Clubs and Activities?
Discover whether your child can access advertised school clubs and activities, including enrollment limits, tryouts, fees, transportation, scheduling conflicts, and essential questions parents should ask before choosing schools today.
Who Supervises Students When Their Teacher Is Out?
Discover who supervises students when regular teachers are absent, how schools arrange classroom coverage, what qualifications substitutes need, and which questions parents should ask about safety and learning continuity.
When the School Nurse Isn't There: Parent Guide
Learn what happens when school nurses are absent, how public schools handle medications and emergencies, and which essential questions parents should ask to protect their children's health and safety daily.
