Below Average
#1478 of 1,850 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
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
969
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newport News
#29 of 39
public schools
Virginia middle schools
#310 of 340
In district
#30 of 40
Newport News City Public Schools
Equity
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle
Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle serves 969 students in grades 6-8 in Newport News, Virginia. The school maintains a reasonable student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1 with 64 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, providing a solid foundation for middle school education in this mid-size city environment.
As a regular public school, Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle ranks 1267 out of 1856 schools statewide, placing it in the 32nd percentile among Virginia middle schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10. The school is working to strengthen its academic programs and support student achievement across all grade levels.
The school draws from a diverse community in the 23608 zip code area, where families have a median household income of $67,260 and median home values around $234,100. About 27% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 12%. This working-class neighborhood of over 42,000 residents provides a stable foundation for the school community.
Located on Industrial Park Drive, Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle sits in an established area of Newport News, serving families who value accessible public education in a mid-size city setting that balances suburban comfort with urban amenities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle — Students at Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93.8%
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: 3.4/10.
How Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle Compares
See how Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 75% (2019) to 90% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 54% (2025).
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 8.9/10, 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, George J. McIntosh Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 1.7 miles away), 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 | 5.7 |
| Mary Passage Middle Newport News | 1.1 mi | 6.4 |
| General Stanford Elementary Ft. Eustis | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| David A. Dutrow Elementary Newport News | 1.4 mi | 5.1 |
| George J. McIntosh Elementary Newport News | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Oliver C. Greenwood Elementary Newport News | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Richneck Elementary Newport News | 1.6 mi | 3.8 |
| Woodside High Newport News | 1.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Katherine Johnson Elementary Newport News | 2.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Stoney Run Elementary Newport News | 2.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Knollwood Meadows Elementary Newport News | 2.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Denbigh High Newport News | 2.6 mi | 6.3 |
| 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 | 6.2 |
| Yorktown Elementary Yorktown | 3.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Willis A. Jenkins Elementary Newport News | 4.2 mi | 3.5 |
| York High Yorktown | 4.0 mi | 8.9 |
| York River Academy Yorktown | 4.0 mi | 6.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle has a median household income of $67,556. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $243,300, with a median rent of $1,245/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.2%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Manassas Park Middle Manassas Park, VA | 4.9 |
| Quioccasin Middle Richmond, VA | 4.9 |
| Cesar Tarrant Middle Hampton, VA | 5.0 |
| Dinwiddie County Middle Dinwiddie, VA | 5.0 |
| Manchester Middle North Chesterfield, VA | 5.0 |
| Caroline Middle Milford, VA | 4.8 |
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 is ranked #1478 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle has 58.2% math proficiency and 56.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (757) 888-3300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newport News City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 26,183
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,082
- District Rank
- #30 of 40
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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