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 3 public high schools serving 3,611 students in Portsmouth City School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in Virginia.
Public High Schools in Portsmouth City School District have an average math proficiency score of 71% (versus the Virginia public high school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 72% (versus the 81% statewide average).
Public High School in Portsmouth City School District have a Graduation Rate of 81%, which is less than the Virginia average of 89%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Churchland High School, with 89% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Virginia or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Virginia public high school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (VA)
# Schools
23 Schools
357 Schools
# Students
12,905 Students
409,548 Students
# Teachers
936 Teachers
28,795 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%
22%
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%
6%
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 High 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.
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%
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