Best Schools in Petersburg, Virginia
8 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Petersburg?
Use this page to compare every school in Petersburg by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Walnut Hill Elementary
Elementary · Petersburg City Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Petersburg High
High · Petersburg City Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Cool Spring Elementary
Elementary · Petersburg City Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Petersburg for 2026 are Walnut Hill Elementary (4.4/10), Petersburg High (3.9/10), and Cool Spring Elementary (2.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
8
7 public · 1 private
Avg Score
3.0
out of 10
Median Home
$208,450
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
8
7 public · 1 private
Avg Score
3.0
out of 10
Median Home
$208,450
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Petersburg
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 8). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walnut Hill Elementary | 4.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Petersburg High | 3.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Cool Spring Elementary | 2.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Lakemont Elementary | 2.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Vernon Johns Middle | 2.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Pleasants Lane Elementary | 2.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 3.0/10
- Median household income
- $60,816
- Median home value
- $208,450
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23%
- Avg commute
- 27 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 54%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Petersburg compares
Virginia rank
#182 of 182
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-3.2
below Virginia avg (6.2)
Median household income
$61k
69% of Virginia median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in Petersburg, Virginia
Petersburg, Virginia is home to 8 schools, including 7 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 3.0 out of 10, schools in Petersburg face significant challenges on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Petersburg is Walnut Hill Elementary with a composite score of 4.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Petersburg is served by 1 school district: Petersburg City Public Schools. These districts collectively serve 4,464 students.
Petersburg's community shows 23% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $60,816. The poverty rate in the area is 14.6%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 539 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.4 |
| 2 | 529 students · Kindergarten–5th | 2.8 |
| 3 | 404 students · Kindergarten–5th | 2.3 |
| 4 | 515 students · Kindergarten–5th | 2.1 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 901 students · 6th–8th | 2.2 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,171 students · 9th–12th | 3.9 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 405 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 3.3 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Brec Academy
Private
25 students · 4th–12th | — | ||
Schools in Petersburg
Petersburg, Virginia · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$60,816
Median Home Value
$208,450
Median Rent
$1,170/mo
Population
63,179
College Educated
23%
Homeownership
54%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
14.6%
Community Profile
Petersburg has a median household income of $60,816. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $208,450, with a median rent of $1,170/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.6%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Virginia
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 2
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Virginia
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Petersburg, Virginia
How many schools are in Petersburg, Virginia?
Petersburg has 8 schools, including 7 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Petersburg, Virginia?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Petersburg is 3.0 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Petersburg, Virginia?
The top-ranked school in Petersburg on MySchoolScout is Walnut Hill Elementary with a composite score of 4.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Petersburg, Virginia?
The top-ranked elementary school in Petersburg on MySchoolScout is Walnut Hill Elementary with a composite score of 4.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Petersburg, Virginia?
The top-ranked middle school in Petersburg on MySchoolScout is Vernon Johns Middle with a composite score of 2.2/10.
What is the best high school in Petersburg, Virginia?
The top-ranked high school in Petersburg on MySchoolScout is Petersburg High with a composite score of 3.9/10.
How many school districts serve Petersburg, Virginia?
Petersburg is served by 1 school district: Petersburg City Public Schools.
What is the education level in Petersburg, Virginia?
According to Census data, 23% of adults in Petersburg have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Petersburg, Virginia?
The median household income in Petersburg is approximately $60,816 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Petersburg, Virginia?
Yes, Petersburg has 1 private school alongside 7 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Petersburg, Virginia?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Petersburg is 13.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Petersburg, Virginia?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Virginia Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.