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Average

#1081 of 1,850 schools in VA

Kempsville High

High School · Virginia Beach City Public Schools

5194 Chief Trail, Virginia Beach, VA 23464

Enrollment

2,051

Student-Teacher

17.7:1

Score

6.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Virginia Beach

#43 of 82

public schools

Virginia high schools

#238 of 323

In district

#43 of 82

Virginia Beach City Public Schools

Academic performance

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Kempsville High

Kempsville High serves 2,051 students in grades 9-12 in Virginia Beach, making it one of the larger high schools in the area. With 116 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1, providing reasonable class sizes for a comprehensive public high school of this scale. The school currently ranks in the lower tier of Virginia high schools, placing 1,776th out of 1,856 schools statewide, with room for academic growth and improvement in student outcomes.

Despite these challenges, Kempsville High continues to serve its diverse student body with the resources and support systems typical of a large urban high school. The school draws from a well-established Virginia Beach neighborhood where families demonstrate strong economic stability, with a median household income of $90,535 and home values averaging $315,400. The surrounding community in ZIP code 23464 is home to over 76,000 residents, with 39% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of just 5.8%, indicating a middle-to-upper-middle-class area with educational priorities.

Located on Chief Trail in Virginia Beach, Kempsville High sits within a thriving coastal city environment that offers students access to both urban amenities and the unique opportunities that come with living in one of Virginia's largest metropolitan areas.

What Parents Should Know

Kempsville High is a large school with 2,051 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.26 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.4Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency86%
Reading/ELA Proficiency90%
Math vs. State Avg+10.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.3 pts
Overall Proficiency88%
Expected (poverty-adj.)81%
vs. Expected+6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
College Readiness5.7Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation18.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,119

Kempsville High — Students at Kempsville High score 88% 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

42.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 83.0%
School
State
75.4%
ELA Proficiency 87.0%
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
90%
ELA
93%
2021*
Math
73%
ELA
78%
2025
Math
86%
ELA
90%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Kempsville High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
42th percentile in VA
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
2.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
116 teachers

Location

5194 Chief Trail, Virginia Beach, VA 23464

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kempsville High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. STRELITZ INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is TABERNACLE BAPTIST ACADEMY (rated 7.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kempsville Middle (rated 6.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Virginia Beach, see our Virginia Beach schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Kempsville Elementary Virginia Beach 0.2 mi 5.4
Kempsville Middle Virginia Beach 0.6 mi 6.9
BELLAMY MANOR SCHOOL Virginia Beach 0.8 mi
Providence Elementary Virginia Beach 0.7 mi 5.6
STRELITZ INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Virginia Beach 1.0 mi 8.2
Kempsville Meadows Elementary Virginia Beach 0.9 mi 4.1
Larkspur Middle Virginia Beach 0.9 mi 5.7
HOPE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Virginia Beach 1.0 mi
MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF VIRGINIA Virginia Beach 1.2 mi 5.5
RIVERMONT SCHOOL - TIDEWATER Virginia Beach 1.5 mi 6.5
Point O' View Elementary Virginia Beach 1.4 mi 3.1
Fairfield Elementary Virginia Beach 1.3 mi 6.3
Indian Lakes Elementary Virginia Beach 1.7 mi 5.3
TABERNACLE BAPTIST ACADEMY Virginia Beach 1.4 mi 7.5
CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Virginia Beach 1.5 mi 6.2
ST GREGORY THE GREAT SCHOOL Virginia Beach 1.9 mi 6.8
GATEWAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Virginia Beach 2.1 mi 6.4
Arrowhead Elementary Virginia Beach 1.8 mi 5.0
KEMPSVILLE ACADEMY INC Virginia Beach 2.1 mi
Salem Middle Virginia Beach 2.5 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23464 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,790

Median Home Value

$339,300

Median Rent

$1,644/mo

Population

75,290

College Educated

38.2%

Homeownership

69%

Avg Commute

23.7 min

Poverty Rate

8%

Median Age

37.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Kempsville High has a median household income of $89,790. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $339,300, with a median rent of $1,644/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Battlefield High Haymarket, VA 6.1
First Colonial High Virginia Beach, VA 6.1
Lloyd C. Bird High Chesterfield, VA 6.1
Monacan High Richmond, VA 6.1
Nansemond River High Suffolk, VA 6.1
Meadowbrook High North Chesterfield, VA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kempsville High

What grades does Kempsville High serve?

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

How many students attend Kempsville High?

Kempsville High has an enrollment of approximately 2,051 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Kempsville High?

The student-teacher ratio at Kempsville High is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kempsville High rank in VA?

Kempsville High is ranked #1081 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Kempsville High's MySchoolScout rating?

Kempsville High has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Kempsville High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kempsville High has 83.0% math proficiency and 87.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Kempsville High a charter school?

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

Is Kempsville High a Title I school?

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

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

42.3% of students at Kempsville 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
26 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
29 Some Transit
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,741/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,051
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
116
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Virginia Beach city
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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