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Very Good

#727 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 39% in state

First Colonial High

High School · Virginia Beach City Public Schools

1272 Mill Dam Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23454

Enrollment

1,732

Student-Teacher

17.1:1

Score

7.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#727 of 1,851

In Virginia Beach

#53 of 82

public schools

In district

#53 of 82

Virginia Beach City Public Schools

Academic growth

8.3 / 10

Excellent

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First Colonial High

7.0/10

High School in Virginia Beach · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cape Henry Collegiate School

6.1/10

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

Lynnhaven Middle

7.6/10

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

About First Colonial High

First Colonial High is a public high school in Virginia Beach, VA, part of Virginia Beach City Public Schools. First Colonial High serves approximately 1,732 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio. First Colonial High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #727 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for First Colonial High show 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 91% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 7.0 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.8
  • VA avg 6.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.34 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.2Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency80% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency91% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg+4.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.3 pts
Overall Proficiency86% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)81% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+4.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
College Readiness8.1Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate93%
AP Participation33.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,888
Chronic Absenteeism24.8%

First Colonial High — Students at First Colonial High score 86% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 81%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 83.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.4% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 91.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.7% (2025 SOL)

Based on 27 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
93%
ELA
95%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
95%
2011
Math
75%
ELA
97%
2012
Math
73%
ELA
93%
2013
Math
74%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
86%
ELA
93%
2015
Math
91%
ELA
93%
2016
Math
85%
ELA
91%
2017
ELA
92%
2018
Math
94%
ELA
90%
2019
Math
94%
ELA
90%
2020*
Math
76%
ELA
81%
2021*
Math
76%
ELA
81%
2025
Math
80%
ELA
91%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How First Colonial High Compares

See how First Colonial High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
61th percentile in VA
Academic
8.2/10
Excellent
Growth
8.3/10
Excellent
Environment
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.9
Sports
21
9 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
101 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.8%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
33.2% participation·State avg: 2.9 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics21sports offered
9 boys'·12 girls'·27 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

1272 Mill Dam Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23454

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering First Colonial High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Trantwood Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kingston Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Alanton Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Virginia Beach, see our Virginia Beach schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.9 mi
School Distance Rating
CAPE HENRY COLLEGIATE SCHOOL Virginia Beach 0.2 mi 6.1
Lynnhaven Middle Virginia Beach 0.6 mi 7.6
Alanton Elementary Virginia Beach 0.7 mi 8.4
Linkhorn Park Elementary Virginia Beach 1.0 mi 7.9
Trantwood Elementary Virginia Beach 1.3 mi 8.6
Frank W. Cox High Virginia Beach 1.6 mi 8.0
VIRGINIA BEACH FRIENDS SCHOOL Virginia Beach 1.8 mi 6.9
Great Neck Middle Virginia Beach 2.3 mi 6.8
John B. Dey Elementary Virginia Beach 2.4 mi 8.0
THE GODDARD SCHOOL - LYNNHAVEN VIRGINIA Virginia Beach 2.8 mi 4.5
LONDON BRIDGE BAPTIST PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARDEN Virginia Beach 2.9 mi
GALILEE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Virginia Beach 2.6 mi 6.1
BEACH DAY SCHOOL Virginia Beach 2.7 mi
Virginia Beach Middle Virginia Beach 2.9 mi 6.6
W.T. Cooke Elementary Virginia Beach 3.5 mi 6.2
King's Grant Elementary Virginia Beach 3.5 mi 8.2
STAR OF THE SEA SCHOOL Virginia Beach 3.6 mi 6.7
Plaza Middle Virginia Beach 4.0 mi 7.7
Kingston Elementary Virginia Beach 3.7 mi 8.5
SUNNYBROOK DAY SCHOOL Virginia Beach 3.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23454 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,835

Median Home Value

$401,900

Median Rent

$1,600/mo

Population

57,773

College Educated

43.3%

Homeownership

64.6%

Avg Commute

22.9 min

Poverty Rate

6.6%

Median Age

39.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Annandale High Annandale, VA 7.0
Christiansburg High Christiansburg, VA 7.0
Indian River High Chesapeake, VA 7.0
Phoebus High Hampton, VA 7.0
Stafford Senior High Fredericksburg, VA 7.0
Warhill High Williamsburg, VA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about First Colonial High

What grades does First Colonial High serve?

First Colonial High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend First Colonial High?

First Colonial High has an enrollment of approximately 1,732 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at First Colonial High?

The student-teacher ratio at First Colonial High is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does First Colonial High rank in VA?

First Colonial High ranks #727 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is First Colonial High's MySchoolScout rating?

First Colonial High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 First Colonial High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, First Colonial High has 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 91% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is First Colonial High a charter school?

No, First Colonial High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is First Colonial High a Title I school?

No, First Colonial High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for First Colonial High?

33.3% of students at First Colonial High 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
19 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
24 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,732
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
101
Free/Reduced Lunch
33.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Virginia Beach city
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.8%
4-Year Graduation
93.0%

District

Virginia Beach City Public Schools
District Enrollment
64,986
Schools in District
88
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,888
District Rank
#53 of 82

How we rate schools

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