Best Middle Schools
in Virginia Beach, Virginia
We ranked the 15 middle schools in Virginia Beach with real test data. The top 15 scored between 3.6 and 8.9 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Virginia education data
The short answer
The top-rated middle schools in Virginia Beach for 2026 are Old Donation School (8.9/10), Plaza Middle (7.7/10), and Princess Anne Middle (7.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 15 rated middle schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a middle school in Virginia Beach?
Every middle school in Virginia Beach is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Old Donation School
Virginia Beach, VA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Plaza Middle
Virginia Beach, VA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Princess Anne Middle
Virginia Beach, VA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Virginia Beach ranks 15 middle schools across a metro where military families, longtime residents, and newcomers all compete for the same seats. Bayside Middle leads the pack with an 8.5 out of 10, a meaningful gap above the field average of 6.2. Only three schools — 20% of those ranked — clear the 7-point threshold, making that upper tier genuinely competitive. The spread matters here. A 2.3-point difference between the top scorer and the average tells parents that school selection has real consequences, not just marginal ones. Old Donation School and Lynnhaven Middle hold the second and third spots, while Kempsville and Princess Anne round out a tight middle cluster. Use the table below to sort by score, filter by neighborhood, or compare specific schools side by side — the data will do more heavy lifting than any summary can.
Old Donation School
Plaza Middle
Princess Anne Middle
Score Distribution
Where the top 15 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Virginia Beach's Middle Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within Virginia so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 15 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old Donation School Virginia Beach City Public Schools | 8.9 |
| 2 | Plaza Middle Virginia Beach City Public Schools | 7.7 |
| 3 | Princess Anne Middle Virginia Beach City Public Schools | 7.7 |
| 4 | Lynnhaven Middle Virginia Beach City Public Schools | 7.6 |
| 5 | Bayside Middle Virginia Beach City Public Schools | 7.4 |
| 6 | Salem Middle Virginia Beach City Public Schools | 7.2 |
| 7 | Great Neck Middle Virginia Beach City Public Schools | 6.8 |
| 8 | Virginia Beach Middle Virginia Beach City Public Schools | 6.6 |
| 9 | Landstown Middle Virginia Beach City Public Schools | 6.2 |
| 10 | Corporate Landing Middle Virginia Beach City Public Schools | 6.1 |
| 11 | Independence Middle Virginia Beach City Public Schools | 5.9 |
| 12 | Kempsville Middle Virginia Beach City Public Schools | 5.8 |
| 13 | Brandon Middle Virginia Beach City Public Schools | 5.7 |
| 14 | Larkspur Middle Virginia Beach City Public Schools | 5.4 |
| 15 | Bayside 6th Grade Campus Virginia Beach City Public Schools | 3.6 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Virginia education department. Rankings are relative to all public middle schools in Virginia. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 15 Middle Schools in Virginia Beach
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Virginia Beach's Top 10 Middle Schools
Choosing the Right Middle School in Virginia Beach
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Virginia Beach's middle school landscape is one of the most diverse in Virginia, with 15 schools.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best middle school in Virginia Beach, Virginia?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Old Donation School is the top-rated middle school in Virginia Beach with a composite score of 8.9/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many middle schools are in Virginia Beach, Virginia?
Virginia Beach has 15 middle schools. Of these, 15 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average middle school rating in Virginia Beach?
The average composite score for Virginia Beach middle schools is 6.6/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Virginia).
How does MySchoolScout rate middle schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Virginia, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Virginia, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.