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Excellent

#214 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 12% in state

Oscar F. Smith High

High School · Chesapeake City Public Schools

1994 Tiger Dr, Chesapeake, VA 23320

Enrollment

2,313

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

8.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chesapeake

#5 of 45

public schools

Virginia high schools

#52 of 323

In district

#5 of 45

Chesapeake City Public Schools

Equity

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Oscar F. Smith High

Oscar F. Smith High is a public high school in Chesapeake, VA, part of the Chesapeake City Public Schools. The school serves approximately 2,313 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1.

It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1/10, placing it in the 88.5th percentile among VA schools — an above average rating overall. Students demonstrate 80% proficiency in math, 5 points above the state average and 79% in reading/language arts, 4 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.6/10).

Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $81,736, where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The school is situated in a large city setting.

What Parents Should Know

Oscar F. Smith High is a large school with 2,313 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 Progress8.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.35 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.4Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency90%
Reading/ELA Proficiency80%
Math vs. State Avg+14.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.3 pts
Overall Proficiency85%
Expected (poverty-adj.)72%
vs. Expected+13.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
College Readiness8.8Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment6.0Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,740

Oscar F. Smith High — Students at Oscar F. Smith High score 85% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

81.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 80.0%
School
State
75.4%
ELA Proficiency 79.3%
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
87%
ELA
83%
2021*
Math
63%
ELA
75%
2025
Math
90%
ELA
80%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Oscar F. Smith High Compares

See how Oscar F. Smith High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
89th percentile in VA
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
6.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
81%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
164 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
9% participation·95 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1994 Tiger Dr, Chesapeake, VA 23320

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Oscar F. Smith High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Great Bridge High (rated 8.1/10, 3.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Indian River High (rated 6.7/10, 4.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Chesapeake, see our Chesapeake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
B.M. Williams Primary Chesapeake 1.3 mi 6.7
MONTESSOURI LAB SCHOOL Chesapeake 1.4 mi
Great Bridge Primary Chesapeake 1.7 mi 4.7
GREAT BRIDGE PRESBYTERIAN PRESCHOOL Chesapeake 1.8 mi 2.7
Crestwood Intermediate Chesapeake 1.9 mi 2.6
CEDAR ROAD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Chesapeake 2.2 mi 7.5
Greenbrier Middle Chesapeake 2.1 mi 8.2
Crestwood Middle Chesapeake 2.2 mi 6.3
Great Bridge Middle Chesapeake 2.5 mi 7.3
GREAT BRIDGE PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN Chesapeake 2.6 mi
Greenbrier Primary Chesapeake 2.7 mi 4.9
CATHEDRAL OF FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chesapeake 3.2 mi
Cedar Road Elementary Chesapeake 2.7 mi 5.9
BASICS PRIMARY SCHOOL & DAYCARE Chesapeake 3.2 mi
Portlock Primary Chesapeake 3.5 mi 6.8
Great Bridge High Chesapeake 3.7 mi 8.1
Great Bridge Intermediate Chesapeake 3.7 mi 6.4
INDIAN CREEK-WELCOME BAPTIST CHURCH SCHOOL Chesapeake 3.1 mi
GREAT BRIDGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Chesapeake 3.4 mi 6.8
Indian River High Chesapeake 4.0 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23320 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,736

Median Home Value

$323,800

Median Rent

$1,654/mo

Population

59,626

College Educated

38.3%

Homeownership

64.5%

Avg Commute

23.6 min

Poverty Rate

8.3%

Median Age

38.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Oscar F. Smith High has a median household income of $81,736. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $323,800, with a median rent of $1,654/month. The local poverty rate of 8.3% 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
Centreville High Clifton, VA 8.1
Colonial Forge High Stafford, VA 8.1
Great Bridge High Chesapeake, VA 8.1
South County High Lorton, VA 8.1
Stafford Senior High Fredericksburg, VA 8.1
Atlee High Mechanicsville, VA 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Oscar F. Smith High

What grades does Oscar F. Smith High serve?

Oscar F. Smith High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Oscar F. Smith High?

Oscar F. Smith High has an enrollment of approximately 2,313 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Oscar F. Smith High?

The student-teacher ratio at Oscar F. Smith High is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Oscar F. Smith High rank in VA?

Oscar F. Smith High is ranked #214 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Oscar F. Smith High's MySchoolScout rating?

Oscar F. Smith High has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Oscar F. Smith High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Oscar F. Smith High has 80.0% math proficiency and 79.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Oscar F. Smith High a charter school?

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

Is Oscar F. Smith High a Title I school?

No, Oscar F. Smith High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Oscar F. Smith High?

81.3% of students at Oscar F. Smith 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
10 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
24 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,087/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,313
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
164
Free/Reduced Lunch
81.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Chesapeake city
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Chesapeake City Public Schools
District Enrollment
40,576
Schools in District
48
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,274
District Rank
#5 of 45

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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