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
Enrollment
970
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
8.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Oscar Smith Middle — Students at Oscar Smith Middle score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 12 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: 9.7/10.
How Oscar Smith Middle Compares
See how Oscar Smith Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 64% (2019) to 100% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 61% (2019) to 61% (2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (757) 494-7590
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chesapeake City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 40,576
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,274
- District Rank
- #2 of 45
Other Schools in This District
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.