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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.9Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency78%
Reading/ELA Proficiency76%
Math vs. State Avg+2.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.3 pts
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected+6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation20.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.8Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,775

John Handley High — Students at John Handley High score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

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 71.7%
School
State
75.4%
ELA Proficiency 76.3%
School
State
75.7%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
83%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
54%
ELA
78%
2025
Math
78%
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: 7.7/10.

How John Handley High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
46th percentile in VA
Academic
6.9/10
6.9/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
1.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
65 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
36 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
15 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,574/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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