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Average

#1164 of 1,850 schools in VA

Heritage High

High School · Newport News City Public Schools

5800 Marshall Ave, Newport News, VA 23605

Enrollment

1,076

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

5.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Newport News

#19 of 39

public schools

Virginia high schools

#258 of 323

In district

#19 of 40

Newport News City Public Schools

About Heritage High

Heritage High serves 1,076 students in grades 9-12 in Newport News, Virginia, offering a traditional public high school education with a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1 and 73 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks in the 39th percentile among Virginia high schools, with room for academic growth as it works to support its diverse student body. Located at 5800 Marshall Ave, Heritage High operates in the 23605 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $44,644 and median home values average $171,400.

The surrounding community reflects a working-class neighborhood, with 15% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 14.1%. This demographic context shapes the school's mission to provide educational opportunities for students from varied economic backgrounds. As a comprehensive high school in Newport News, Heritage High focuses on preparing students for their post-secondary goals while serving families throughout the mid-size city.

The school's size allows for both diverse course offerings and meaningful teacher-student relationships, creating an environment where educators can work closely with students to help them achieve academic success. Heritage High stands as an integral part of the Newport News educational landscape, serving a community that values educational opportunity and student development.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.5Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.37 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69%
Math vs. State Avg-7.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.7 pts
Overall Proficiency69%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected-0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation21.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.3Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,195

Heritage High — Students at Heritage High score 68% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

91.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 65.7%
School
State
75.4%
ELA Proficiency 71.3%
School
State
75.7%

Based on 6 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
80%
ELA
78%
2021*
Math
49%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
68%
ELA
69%

* 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: 4.5/10.

How Heritage High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
37th percentile in VA
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
4.5/10
Below average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
73 teachers

Location

5800 Marshall Ave, Newport News, VA 23605

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Heritage High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Mary W. Jackson Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Hampton), which scores notably higher. Another option is TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Aberdeen Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Hampton), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Newport News, see our Newport News schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Huntington Middle Newport News 0.0 mi 5.3
Achievable Dream Middle/High Newport News 0.2 mi 5.6
Newsome Park Elementary Newport News 0.8 mi 6.7
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Newport News 1.1 mi 7.2
NEW MOUNT OLIVE CHRISTIAN DAYCARE & ACADEMY Hampton 1.2 mi
B.T. Washington Middle Newport News 1.2 mi 5.5
John Marshall Early Childhood Center Newport News 1.8 mi 4.5
Crittenden Middle Newport News 1.7 mi 6.5
WARWICK KIDS ACADEMY Newport News 1.7 mi
Carver Elementary Newport News 1.8 mi 5.0
FAITH OUTREACH EDUCATION CENTER Hampton 1.9 mi 4.4
C. Alton Lindsay Middle Hampton 1.7 mi 5.9
Mary W. Jackson Elementary Hampton 2.1 mi 8.8
Achievable Dream Academy Newport News 2.2 mi 4.0
Discovery STEM Academy Newport News 2.1 mi 3.8
Aberdeen Elementary Hampton 2.2 mi 6.8
BETHEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hampton 2.0 mi 6.1
Alfred S. Forrest Elementary Hampton 2.4 mi 5.0
CALVARY SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Newport News 2.2 mi
Cesar Tarrant Middle Hampton 2.5 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23605 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,899

Median Home Value

$178,400

Median Rent

$1,187/mo

Population

13,334

College Educated

17.5%

Homeownership

40.4%

Avg Commute

20.5 min

Poverty Rate

14.1%

Median Age

36.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Heritage High has a median household income of $52,899. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $178,400, with a median rent of $1,187/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
BISHOP DENIS J. OCONNELL HIGH SCHOOL Arlington, VA 5.9
Booker T Washington High Norfolk, VA 5.9
Central High Norton, VA 5.9
Dinwiddie County High Dinwiddie, VA 5.9
New Kent High New Kent, VA 5.9
Stuarts Draft High Stuarts Draft, VA 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Heritage High

What grades does Heritage High serve?

Heritage High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Heritage High?

Heritage High has an enrollment of approximately 1,076 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Heritage High?

The student-teacher ratio at Heritage High is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Heritage High rank in VA?

Heritage High is ranked #1164 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Heritage High's MySchoolScout rating?

Heritage High has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Heritage High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Heritage High has 65.7% math proficiency and 71.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Heritage High a charter school?

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

Is Heritage High a Title I school?

No, Heritage High is not currently a Title I school.

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

91.9% of students at Heritage 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
43 Some Transit
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,173/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newport News). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,076
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
73
Free/Reduced Lunch
91.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Newport News city
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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