Best Schools in Portsmouth, Virginia
32 schools · 19 Elementary · 3 Middle · 3 High · 7 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.0/10
- Median household income
- $56,658
- Median home value
- $220,140
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 55%
3% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Portsmouth compares
Virginia rank
#165 of 182
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.2
below Virginia avg (6.3)
Median household income
$57k
65% of Virginia median
Schools in this city
30
About Schools in Portsmouth, Virginia
Portsmouth, Virginia is home to 32 schools, including 22 public schools and 10 private schools. The city's schools span 19 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.0 out of 10, schools in Portsmouth show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in Portsmouth is Cradock Middle with a composite score of 7.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Portsmouth is served by 1 school district: Portsmouth City Public Schools. These districts collectively serve 13,161 students.
Portsmouth's community shows 22% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $56,658. The poverty rate in the area is 18.7%.
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
19 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 445 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.4 | ||
| 2 | 511 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.3 | ||
| 3 | 760 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.6 | ||
| 4 | 473 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.1 | ||
| 5 | 474 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.0 | ||
| 6 | 600 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.0 | ||
| 7 | 609 students · Kindergarten–6th | 3.9 | ||
| 8 | 405 students · Kindergarten–6th | 3.8 | ||
| 9 | 528 students · Kindergarten–6th | 3.5 | ||
| 10 | 570 students · Kindergarten–6th | 3.2 | ||
| 11 | 606 students · Kindergarten–6th | 2.5 | ||
| 12 | 457 students · Kindergarten–6th | 2.4 | ||
| 13 | 614 students · Kindergarten–6th | 2.2 | ||
| Private Schools 6 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 138 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | ST MARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Private
56 students · Pre-K–5th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | TORAS CHAIM
Private
53 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | CHRISTOPHER ACADEMY
Private
125 students · Pre-K–5th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | COURT STREET ACADEMY
Private
13 students · Pre-K–1st | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | TINKER BELL DAYCARE
Private
10 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 526 students · 7th–8th | 7.6 |
| 2 | 562 students · 7th–8th | 6.7 |
| 3 | 840 students · 7th–8th | 5.1 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,452 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 |
| 2 | 1,167 students · 9th–12th | 6.0 |
| 3 | 1,027 students · 9th–12th | 5.2 |
Other Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 114 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 6.5 | ||
| 2 | 227 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 6.3 | ||
| 3 | 194 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 4.5 | ||
| Private Schools 4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 97 students · 4th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | HARBOR POINT ACADEMY
Private
102 students · 4th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | PORTSMOUTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Private
504 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | SWEETHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Private
124 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Portsmouth
Portsmouth, Virginia · 32 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 5 ZIP codes
Median Income
$56,658
Median Home Value
$220,140
Median Rent
$1,255/mo
Population
96,427
College Educated
22%
Homeownership
55%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
18.7%
Community Profile
Portsmouth has a median household income of $56,658. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $220,140, with a median rent of $1,255/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.7%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- Virginia
- Total Schools
- 32
- Elementary
- 19
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 3
- Districts
- 1
- Avg Rating
- 5.0/10
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Virginia
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Portsmouth, Virginia
How many schools are in Portsmouth, Virginia?
Portsmouth has 32 schools, including 22 public and 10 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Portsmouth, Virginia?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Portsmouth is 5.0 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Portsmouth, Virginia?
The top-ranked school in Portsmouth on MySchoolScout is Cradock Middle with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Portsmouth, Virginia?
The top-ranked elementary school in Portsmouth on MySchoolScout is Portsmouth Catholic Regional School with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Portsmouth, Virginia?
The top-ranked middle school in Portsmouth on MySchoolScout is Cradock Middle with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best high school in Portsmouth, Virginia?
The top-ranked high school in Portsmouth on MySchoolScout is Churchland High with a composite score of 6.3/10.
How many school districts serve Portsmouth, Virginia?
Portsmouth is served by 1 school district: Portsmouth City Public Schools.
What is the education level in Portsmouth, Virginia?
According to Census data, 22% of adults in Portsmouth have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Portsmouth, Virginia?
The median household income in Portsmouth is approximately $56,658 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Portsmouth, Virginia?
Yes, Portsmouth has 10 private schools alongside 22 public schools. The top-rated private school is Portsmouth Catholic Regional School with a score of 6.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Portsmouth, Virginia?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Portsmouth is 12.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Portsmouth, 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
Related reading
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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.