Average
#1007 of 1,850 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
6.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,355
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
6.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Winchester
#7 of 20
public schools
Virginia high schools
#220 of 323
In district
#2 of 7
Winchester City Public Schools
Equity
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About John Handley High
John Handley High serves 1,355 students in grades 9-12 in Winchester, Virginia, operating as a regular public school with 65 full-time equivalent teachers. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.8:1, providing a substantial high school experience in Winchester city. With its current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranking of #1844 out of 1856 Virginia high schools, John Handley High is focusing on student development with significant room for academic growth.
The school's size allows for diverse programming opportunities while maintaining a sense of community within the student body. As one of the larger high schools in the Winchester area, John Handley High plays an important role in educating the local community's teenagers. The school's substantial enrollment suggests it draws students from throughout the Winchester region, creating a diverse student population that reflects the broader community.
The teaching staff of 65 full-time equivalent educators works to support the educational needs of over 1,300 students across all four high school grade levels. Located in Winchester, a small city setting, John Handley High operates within a community that balances small-town character with educational resources, serving families throughout the Winchester city area.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at John Handley High is 20.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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John Handley High — Students at John Handley High score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.7/10.
How John Handley High Compares
See how John Handley High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 83% (2019) to 78% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 75% (2019) to 76% (2025).
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. Millbrook High (rated 7.6/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, James Wood High (rated 6.7/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 5.9 |
| James Wood Middle Winchester | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| 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 | 3.2 |
| Daniel Morgan Middle Winchester | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Daniel Morgan Intermediate Winchester | 1.4 mi | 3.6 |
| Frederick Douglass Elementary Winchester | 1.9 mi | 8.5 |
| James Wood High Winchester | 2.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Apple Pie Ridge Elementary Winchester | 2.5 mi | 3.6 |
| 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 | 4.3 |
| Admiral Richard E. Byrd Middle Winchester | 4.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Millbrook High Winchester | 3.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Redbud Run Elementary Winchester | 3.5 mi | 3.8 |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Abingdon High Abingdon, VA | 6.3 |
| Bethel High Hampton, VA | 6.3 |
| Churchland High Portsmouth, VA | 6.3 |
| Denbigh High Newport News, VA | 6.3 |
| King George High King George, VA | 6.3 |
| Menchville High Newport News, VA | 6.3 |
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 is ranked #1007 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is John Handley High's MySchoolScout rating?
John Handley High has a composite rating of 6.3 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 John Handley High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, John Handley High has 71.7% math proficiency and 76.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (540) 662-3471
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Winchester City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,236
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,463
- District Rank
- #2 of 7
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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