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Excellent

#118 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 6% in state

Oscar Smith Middle

Middle School · Chesapeake City Public Schools

2500 Rodgers St, Chesapeake, VA 23324

Enrollment

970

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

8.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chesapeake

#2 of 45

public schools

Virginia middle schools

#25 of 340

In district

#2 of 45

Chesapeake City Public Schools

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Oscar Smith Middle

Oscar Smith Middle is a public middle school in Chesapeake, VA, part of the Chesapeake City Public Schools. The school serves approximately 970 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 93.7th percentile among VA schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 65% proficiency in math, 2 points below the state average and 60% in reading/language arts, 14 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $57,774, where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large city setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.51 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.6Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency100%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61%
Math vs. State Avg+24.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.7 pts
Overall Proficiency81%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected+9.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,740

Oscar Smith Middle — Students at Oscar Smith Middle score 80% 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

81.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 64.8%
School
State
66.4%
ELA Proficiency 60.0%
School
State
73.8%

Based on 12 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
64%
ELA
61%
2021*
Math
24%
ELA
54%
2025
Math
75.3%
ELA
61.3%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Oscar Smith Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
8.5/10
94th percentile in VA
Academic
7.6/10
7.6/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
82%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
79 teachers

Location

2500 Rodgers St, Chesapeake, VA 23324

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Oscar Smith Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cradock Middle (rated 7.6/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Portsmouth), with a comparable rating. Another option is Crestwood Middle (rated 6.3/10, 2.6 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Ruffner School (rated 5.9/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Norfolk), a more accessible option. For more schools in Chesapeake, see our Chesapeake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Truitt Intermediate Chesapeake 0.6 mi 5.1
Rena B. Wright Primary Chesapeake 0.8 mi 7.2
Portlock Primary Chesapeake 0.9 mi 6.8
George W. Carver Intermediate Chesapeake 0.8 mi 3.3
CATHEDRAL OF FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chesapeake 1.1 mi
Thurgood Marshall Elementary Chesapeake 1.4 mi 3.4
Berkley/Campostella Early Childhood Education Center Norfolk 1.9 mi 6.6
Georgetown Primary Chesapeake 1.5 mi 3.1
Indian River High Chesapeake 1.7 mi 6.7
Southside STEM Academy at Campostella Norfolk 2.1 mi 8.6
St. Helena Elementary Norfolk 2.1 mi 7.3
Indian River Middle Chesapeake 2.0 mi 5.4
Crestwood Middle Chesapeake 2.6 mi 6.3
Crestwood Intermediate Chesapeake 2.9 mi 2.6
Brighton Elementary Portsmouth 2.4 mi 5.4
CHESAPEAKE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Chesapeake 2.4 mi
Norfolk Highlands Primary Chesapeake 2.5 mi 7.8
Cradock Middle Portsmouth 2.4 mi 7.6
COURT STREET ACADEMY Portsmouth 2.9 mi
Ruffner School Norfolk 3.2 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23324 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,774

Median Home Value

$242,000

Median Rent

$1,145/mo

Population

23,684

College Educated

20.6%

Homeownership

54.3%

Avg Commute

25.1 min

Poverty Rate

20.9%

Median Age

33.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Oscar Smith Middle has a median household income of $57,774. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $242,000, with a median rent of $1,145/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Bayside Middle Virginia Beach, VA 8.5
Jolliff Middle Chesapeake, VA 8.5
Pulaski County Middle Pulaski, VA 8.5
Eagle Ridge Middle Ashburn, VA 8.4
Northside Middle Roanoke, VA 8.4
Shelburne Middle Staunton, VA 8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Oscar Smith Middle

What grades does Oscar Smith Middle serve?

Oscar Smith Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Oscar Smith Middle?

Oscar Smith Middle has an enrollment of approximately 970 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Oscar Smith Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Oscar Smith Middle is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Oscar Smith Middle rank in VA?

Oscar Smith Middle is ranked #118 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Oscar Smith Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Oscar Smith Middle has a composite rating of 8.5 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 Smith Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Oscar Smith Middle has 64.8% math proficiency and 60.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Oscar Smith Middle a charter school?

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

Is Oscar Smith Middle a Title I school?

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

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Oscar Smith Middle?

81.8% of students at Oscar Smith Middle 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
19 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
33 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
6th – 8th
Enrollment
970
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
79
Free/Reduced Lunch
81.8%
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
#2 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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