Average
#903 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 49% in state
Colonel Fred Cherry Middle
Middle School · Suffolk City Public Schools
7401 Burbage Drive, Suffolk, VA 23435
Enrollment
728
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
728
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia middle schools
#188 of 340
In district
#7 of 19
Suffolk City Public Schools
Equity
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Colonel Fred Cherry Middle
Colonel Fred Cherry Middle is a regular public middle school in Suffolk, Virginia, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 728 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.1:1, the school provides ample opportunities for personalized learning and support. The dedicated teaching staff includes 60 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to ensure each student receives the attention they need.
The academic performance at Colonel Fred Cherry Middle is noteworthy, with 75% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 67% proficient or above in Math. While the MySchoolScout rating is currently 5.2 out of 10 and the state ranking places it as #1086 out of 1856 schools (42nd percentile), these metrics highlight areas where the school can focus on further academic development. Colonel Fred Cherry Middle is situated in a large suburban area, offering students easy access to various community resources and extracurricular activities.
The setting provides a safe and supportive environment for middle schoolers as they navigate their educational journey.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Colonel Fred Cherry Middle — Students at Colonel Fred Cherry Middle score 86% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 4.0/10.
How Colonel Fred Cherry Middle Compares
See how Colonel Fred Cherry Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 87% (2019) to 100% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 83% (2019) to 73% (2025).
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 6.9/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Chesapeake), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Churchland Middle (rated 5.1/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Portsmouth), a more accessible option. 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 | 6.0 |
| Churchland Primary & Intermediate Portsmouth | 1.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Churchland Preschool Center Portsmouth | 2.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Churchland Academy Elementary Portsmouth | 2.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Western Branch Middle Chesapeake | 2.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Churchland Middle Portsmouth | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Western Branch High Chesapeake | 2.6 mi | 6.3 |
| ALDERSGATE NEW CREATION UMC KINDER PREP Chesapeake | 2.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Western Branch Primary Chesapeake | 2.8 mi | 5.6 |
| SWEETHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Portsmouth | 2.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Churchland Elementary Portsmouth | 2.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Western Branch Intermediate Chesapeake | 2.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Churchland High Portsmouth | 2.6 mi | 6.3 |
| CHRISTOPHER ACADEMY Portsmouth | 3.0 mi | 4.6 |
| TORAS CHAIM Portsmouth | 3.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Creekside Elementary Suffolk | 3.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Olive Branch Preschool Center Portsmouth | 4.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Edwin W. Chittum Elementary Chesapeake | 5.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Simonsdale Elementary Portsmouth | 4.9 mi | 3.9 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Colonel Fred Cherry Middle has a median household income of $107,833. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $374,500, with a median rent of $1,838/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Crittenden Middle Newport News, VA | 6.5 |
| Grafton Middle Yorktown, VA | 6.5 |
| William Byrd Middle Vinton, VA | 6.5 |
| Bell Creek Middle Mechanicsville, VA | 6.4 |
| Floyd T. Binns Middle Culpeper, VA | 6.4 |
| Hamilton Holmes Middle King William, VA | 6.4 |
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 is ranked #903 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Colonel Fred Cherry Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Colonel Fred Cherry Middle has a composite rating of 6.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Colonel Fred Cherry Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Colonel Fred Cherry Middle has 71.3% math proficiency and 74.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,953/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Suffolk). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (757) 925-6752
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Suffolk City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 14,520
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,431
- District Rank
- #7 of 19
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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