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Needs Improvement

#1686 of 1,851 schools in VA

Cradock Middle

Middle School · Portsmouth City Public Schools

21 Alden Ave, Portsmouth, VA 23702

Enrollment

526

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

3.6

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,686 of 1,851

In Portsmouth

#13 of 22

public schools

In district

#13 of 22

Portsmouth City Public Schools

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Cradock Middle

3.6/10

Middle School in Portsmouth · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cradock Elementary

2.1/10

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

St Mark Christian Academy

6.5/10

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

About Cradock Middle

Cradock Middle is a public middle school in Portsmouth, VA, part of Portsmouth City Public Schools. Cradock Middle serves approximately 526 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Cradock Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,686 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Cradock Middle show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.6
  • VA avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

35% of students at Cradock Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.1Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.78 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.0Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency58% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-30.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.7 pts
Overall Proficiency52% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)63% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-11.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
Resources & Environment5.1Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,888
Chronic Absenteeism34.8%

Cradock Middle — Students at Cradock Middle score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

101.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 50.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
66.9% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 62.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.1% (2025 SOL)

Based on 31 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
79%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
76%
ELA
80%
2011
Math
56%
ELA
76%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
59%
2014
Math
61%
ELA
66%
2015
Math
55%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
54%
2017
ELA
61%
2018
Math
58%
ELA
54%
2019
Math
58%
ELA
54%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
37.3%
ELA
58%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How Cradock Middle Compares

See how Cradock Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.6/10
9th percentile in VA
Academic
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
101%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.8%

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

21 Alden Ave, Portsmouth, VA 23702

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cradock Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. G.A. Treakle Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Chesapeake), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rena B. Wright Primary (rated 6.8/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Chesapeake), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PORTSMOUTH CATHOLIC REGIONAL SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Portsmouth, see our Portsmouth schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Cradock Elementary Portsmouth 0.5 mi 2.1
ST MARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Portsmouth 0.9 mi 6.5
Brighton Elementary Portsmouth 1.1 mi 3.5
Victory Elementary Portsmouth 1.1 mi 3.3
PORTSMOUTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Portsmouth 1.4 mi 5.7
Douglass Park Elementary Portsmouth 1.6 mi 2.2
G.A. Treakle Elementary Chesapeake 2.0 mi 7.5
I.C. Norcom High Portsmouth 2.2 mi 5.5
Park View Elementary Portsmouth 2.4 mi 4.0
COURT STREET ACADEMY Portsmouth 2.4 mi
HARBOR POINT BEHAVIOR HEALTH CENTER Portsmouth 2.5 mi 6.6
HARBOR POINT ACADEMY Portsmouth 2.5 mi 6.6
Rena B. Wright Primary Chesapeake 2.1 mi 6.8
Mount Hermon Preschool Center Portsmouth 2.6 mi 4.4
St. Helena Elementary Norfolk 2.5 mi 3.3
PORTSMOUTH CATHOLIC REGIONAL SCHOOL Portsmouth 2.3 mi 6.8
Westhaven Elementary Portsmouth 2.5 mi 2.7
Camelot Elementary Chesapeake 2.6 mi 6.7
William E. Waters Middle Portsmouth 2.4 mi 5.0
Truitt Intermediate Chesapeake 2.4 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23702 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$48,288

Median Home Value

$188,600

Median Rent

$1,228/mo

Population

12,087

College Educated

9.1%

Homeownership

45.1%

Avg Commute

23.1 min

Poverty Rate

20.7%

Median Age

30

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bayside 6th Grade Campus Virginia Beach, VA 3.6
Dogwood Middle Richmond, VA 3.6
Prince Edward Middle Farmville, VA 3.6
Breckinridge Middle Roanoke, VA 3.7
Covington Middle Covington, VA 3.5
Daniel Morgan Intermediate Winchester, VA 3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cradock Middle

What grades does Cradock Middle serve?

Cradock Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Cradock Middle?

Cradock Middle has an enrollment of approximately 526 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cradock Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Cradock Middle is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cradock Middle rank in VA?

Cradock Middle ranks #1,686 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Cradock Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Cradock Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 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 Cradock Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cradock Middle has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Cradock Middle a charter school?

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

Is Cradock Middle a Title I school?

No, Cradock Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cradock Middle?

101.3% of students at Cradock 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
57 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
26 Some Transit
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
526
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Free/Reduced Lunch
101.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Portsmouth city
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.8%

District

Portsmouth City Public Schools
District Enrollment
13,161
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,888
District Rank
#13 of 22

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