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#1287 of 1,851 schools in VA

Colonel Fred Cherry Middle

Middle School · Suffolk City Public Schools

7401 Burbage Drive, Suffolk, VA 23435

Enrollment

728

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

5.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,287 of 1,851

In Suffolk

#13 of 19

public schools

In district

#13 of 19

Suffolk City Public Schools

School environment

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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Colonel Fred Cherry Middle

5.3/10

Middle School in Suffolk · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Northern Shores Elementary

6.7/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Churchland Primary & Intermediate

4.3/10

1.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Colonel Fred Cherry Middle

Colonel Fred Cherry Middle is a public middle school in Suffolk, VA, part of Suffolk City Public Schools. Colonel Fred Cherry Middle serves approximately 728 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Colonel Fred Cherry Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,287 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Colonel Fred Cherry Middle show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 5.3 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • VA avg 5.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.3Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data5
Annual Change-2.24 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency73% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-3.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.7 pts
Overall Proficiency73% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)72% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+0.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
Resources & Environment9.0Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,431
Chronic Absenteeism9.8%

Colonel Fred Cherry Middle — Students at Colonel Fred Cherry Middle score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 66.8% (multi-year average, 2018-2025)
School
State
66.4% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 76.0% (multi-year average, 2018-2025)
School
State
73.8% (2025 SOL)

Based on 16 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2018
Math
87%
ELA
83%
2019
Math
87%
ELA
83%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
76%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
76%
2025
Math
66.5%
ELA
72.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.3/10.

How Colonel Fred Cherry Middle Compares

See how Colonel Fred Cherry Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
31th percentile in VA
Academic
6.2/10
Average
Growth
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.0/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
60 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

7401 Burbage Drive, Suffolk, VA 23435

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Colonel Fred Cherry Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Western Branch Middle (rated 7.0/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Chesapeake), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Churchland Middle (rated 5.3/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Portsmouth), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Suffolk, see our Suffolk schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Northern Shores Elementary Suffolk 0.5 mi 6.7
Churchland Primary & Intermediate Portsmouth 1.9 mi 4.3
Churchland Preschool Center Portsmouth 2.0 mi 4.6
Churchland Academy Elementary Portsmouth 2.1 mi 4.3
Western Branch Middle Chesapeake 2.5 mi 7.0
Churchland Middle Portsmouth 2.1 mi 5.3
Western Branch High Chesapeake 2.6 mi 7.1
ALDERSGATE NEW CREATION UMC KINDER PREP Chesapeake 2.7 mi 4.6
Western Branch Primary Chesapeake 2.8 mi 5.9
SWEETHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Portsmouth 2.5 mi 4.9
Churchland Elementary Portsmouth 2.6 mi 5.7
Western Branch Intermediate Chesapeake 2.9 mi 7.2
Churchland High Portsmouth 2.6 mi 6.8
CHRISTOPHER ACADEMY Portsmouth 3.0 mi 4.5
TORAS CHAIM Portsmouth 3.3 mi 6.1
Creekside Elementary Suffolk 3.4 mi 5.4
Olive Branch Preschool Center Portsmouth 4.5 mi 2.5
Edwin W. Chittum Elementary Chesapeake 5.1 mi 7.7
Simonsdale Elementary Portsmouth 4.9 mi 4.1
Hodges Manor Elementary Portsmouth 5.2 mi 2.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23435 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$107,833

Median Home Value

$374,500

Median Rent

$1,838/mo

Population

33,401

College Educated

42.2%

Homeownership

68.9%

Avg Commute

25.7 min

Poverty Rate

7.7%

Median Age

38.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Albert Hill Middle Richmond, VA 5.3
Churchland Middle Portsmouth, VA 5.3
Graham Park Middle Triangle, VA 5.3
Walker Upper Elementary Charlottesville, VA 5.3
Warren County Middle Front Royal, VA 5.3
Wilson Middle Fishersville, VA 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Colonel Fred Cherry Middle

What grades does Colonel Fred Cherry Middle serve?

Colonel Fred Cherry Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Colonel Fred Cherry Middle?

Colonel Fred Cherry Middle has an enrollment of approximately 728 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Colonel Fred Cherry Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Colonel Fred Cherry Middle is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Colonel Fred Cherry Middle rank in VA?

Colonel Fred Cherry Middle ranks #1,287 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Colonel Fred Cherry Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Colonel Fred Cherry Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Colonel Fred Cherry Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Colonel Fred Cherry Middle has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).

Is Colonel Fred Cherry Middle a charter school?

No, Colonel Fred Cherry Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Colonel Fred Cherry Middle a Title I school?

No, Colonel Fred Cherry Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Colonel Fred Cherry Middle?

67.4% of students at Colonel Fred Cherry Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
29 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
728
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
60
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Suffolk city
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.8%

District

Suffolk City Public Schools
District Enrollment
14,520
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,431
District Rank
#13 of 19

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