Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#1652 of 1,851 schools in VA

Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle

Middle School · Newport News City Public Schools

432 Industrial Park Dr, Newport News, VA 23608

Enrollment

969

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

3.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,652 of 1,851

In Newport News

#27 of 39

public schools

In district

#28 of 40

Newport News City Public Schools

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle

3.8/10

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

Denbigh Early Childhood Center

3.4/10

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

Mary Passage Middle

4.5/10

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

About Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle

Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle is a public middle school in Newport News, VA, part of Newport News City Public Schools. Ella J.

Fitzgerald Middle serves approximately 969 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,652 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.3 pts below district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.1
  • VA avg 5.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.4Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.68 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-16.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.7 pts
Overall Proficiency57% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)65% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,082
Chronic Absenteeism26.2%

Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle — Students at Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

93.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 61.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
66.4% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 65.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.8% (2025 SOL)

Based on 33 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
77%
ELA
83%
2010
Math
74%
ELA
84%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
84%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
68%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
65%
2014
Math
75%
ELA
68%
2015
Math
78%
ELA
69%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
69%
2017
ELA
69%
2018
Math
75%
ELA
65%
2019
Math
75%
ELA
65%
2020*
Math
41%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
41%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
50.5%
ELA
54%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle Compares

See how Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.8/10
11th percentile in VA
Academic
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.5/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
64 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.2%

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

432 Industrial Park Dr, Newport News, VA 23608

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. York High (rated 9.1/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Yorktown), which scores notably higher. Another option is NNBHC-THE ACADEMY AT LEE HALL (rated 8.2/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, York River Academy (rated 7.9/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Yorktown), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newport News, see our Newport News schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Denbigh Early Childhood Center Newport News 0.2 mi 3.4
Mary Passage Middle Newport News 1.1 mi 4.5
General Stanford Elementary Ft. Eustis 1.1 mi 7.3
David A. Dutrow Elementary Newport News 1.4 mi 4.6
George J. McIntosh Elementary Newport News 1.7 mi 2.5
Oliver C. Greenwood Elementary Newport News 1.6 mi 2.8
Richneck Elementary Newport News 1.6 mi 3.6
Woodside High Newport News 1.7 mi 7.2
Katherine Johnson Elementary Newport News 2.0 mi 3.5
Stoney Run Elementary Newport News 2.2 mi 2.9
Knollwood Meadows Elementary Newport News 2.5 mi 5.0
Denbigh High Newport News 2.6 mi 5.8
DENBIGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Newport News 2.5 mi
NNBHC-THE ACADEMY AT LEE HALL Newport News 3.3 mi 8.2
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DENBIGH CHILD DEVT CENTER AND Newport News 3.4 mi
T. Ryland Sanford Elementary Newport News 3.6 mi 5.2
Yorktown Elementary Yorktown 3.5 mi 6.7
Willis A. Jenkins Elementary Newport News 4.2 mi 4.8
York High Yorktown 4.0 mi 9.1
York River Academy Yorktown 4.0 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23608 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,556

Median Home Value

$243,300

Median Rent

$1,245/mo

Population

43,841

College Educated

27%

Homeownership

51.4%

Avg Commute

27.9 min

Poverty Rate

14.2%

Median Age

33.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Walker-Grant Middle Fredericksburg, VA 3.8
Breckinridge Middle Roanoke, VA 3.7
H.H. Poole Middle Stafford, VA 3.7
Poe Middle Annandale, VA 3.7
Thornburg Middle Spotsylvania, VA 3.7
William Monroe Middle Stanardsville, VA 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle

What grades does Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle serve?

Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle?

Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle has an enrollment of approximately 969 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle rank in VA?

Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle ranks #1,652 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle a charter school?

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

Is Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle a Title I school?

No, Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle?

93.8% of students at Ella J. Fitzgerald 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
22 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
969
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
64
Free/Reduced Lunch
93.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Newport News city
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.2%

District

Newport News City Public Schools
District Enrollment
26,183
Schools in District
43
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,082
District Rank
#28 of 40

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 rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.