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Average

#1226 of 1,851 schools in VA

John Handley High

High School · Winchester City Public Schools

PO Box 910, Winchester, VA 22604

Enrollment

1,355

Student-Teacher

20.8:1

Score

5.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,226 of 1,851

In Winchester

#10 of 20

public schools

In district

#3 of 7

Winchester City Public Schools

Equity

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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John Handley High

5.5/10

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

Grafton-ruth Birch Campus

7.3/10

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

Grafton Integrated Health Network - Winchester

7.4/10

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

About John Handley High

John Handley High is a public high school in Winchester, VA, part of Winchester City Public Schools. John Handley High serves approximately 1,355 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 20.8:1 student-teacher ratio. John Handley High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,226 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for John Handley High show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 85% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.4 pts below VA schools
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • VA avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

John Handley High runs 20.8:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.94 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.6Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency76% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg+1.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.3 pts
Overall Proficiency77% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)67% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+9.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
College Readiness6.2Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate86%
AP Participation20.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,463
Chronic Absenteeism27.2%

John Handley High — Students at John Handley High score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 73.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.4% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 85.3% (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
84%
ELA
93%
2010
Math
86%
ELA
96%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
95%
2012
Math
58%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2014
Math
75%
ELA
92%
2015
Math
73%
ELA
87%
2016
Math
66%
ELA
85%
2017
ELA
87%
2018
Math
83%
ELA
75%
2019
Math
83%
ELA
75%
2020*
Math
54%
ELA
78%
2021*
Math
54%
ELA
78%
2025
Math
77%
ELA
76%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How John Handley High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
34th percentile in VA
Academic
7.6/10
Very Good
Growth
5.9/10
Average
Environment
1.5/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.9
Sports
22
11 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
65 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
20.7% participation·State avg: 2.9 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics22sports offered
11 boys'·11 girls'·31 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

PO Box 910, Winchester, VA 22604

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John Handley High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. James Wood High (rated 7.2/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Millbrook High (rated 7.1/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Winchester, see our Winchester schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.6 mi
School Distance Rating
GRAFTON-RUTH BIRCH CAMPUS Winchester 0.6 mi 7.3
GRAFTON INTEGRATED HEALTH NETWORK - WINCHESTER Winchester 0.6 mi 7.4
Garland R. Quarles Elementary Winchester 0.6 mi 6.6
James Wood Middle Winchester 0.9 mi 4.6
SACRED HEART ACADEMY Winchester 1.0 mi 6.8
John Kerr Elementary Winchester 1.0 mi 5.0
Virginia Avenue Charlotte Dehart Elementary Winchester 1.4 mi 4.8
Daniel Morgan Middle Winchester 1.4 mi 4.8
Daniel Morgan Intermediate Winchester 1.4 mi 3.5
Frederick Douglass Elementary Winchester 1.9 mi 6.3
James Wood High Winchester 2.5 mi 7.2
Apple Pie Ridge Elementary Winchester 2.5 mi 5.0
LIGHTHOUSE BAPTIST ACADEMY Winchester 2.6 mi 6.7
THE SCHOOL AT SHARON'S Winchester 2.9 mi
THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL OF WINCHESTER INC Winchester 3.1 mi 7.9
Evendale Elementary Winchester 3.9 mi 4.4
Admiral Richard E. Byrd Middle Winchester 4.0 mi 5.5
Millbrook High Winchester 3.4 mi 7.1
Redbud Run Elementary Winchester 3.5 mi 4.7
MOUNTAIN VIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Winchester 4.6 mi 6.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Amherst County High Amherst, VA 5.5
Bassett High Bassett, VA 5.5
Huguenot High Richmond, VA 5.5
I.C. Norcom High Portsmouth, VA 5.5
Manassas Park High Manassas Park, VA 5.5
Norview High Norfolk, VA 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about John Handley High

What grades does John Handley High serve?

John Handley High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend John Handley High?

John Handley High has an enrollment of approximately 1,355 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at John Handley High?

The student-teacher ratio at John Handley High is 20.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does John Handley High rank in VA?

John Handley High ranks #1,226 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is John Handley High's MySchoolScout rating?

John Handley High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 John Handley High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, John Handley High has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 85% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is John Handley High a charter school?

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

Is John Handley High a Title I school?

No, John Handley High is not currently a Title I school.

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

84.5% of students at John Handley 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
34 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
15 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,355
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
65
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Winchester city
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.2%
4-Year Graduation
86.0%

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