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Needs Improvement

#1636 of 1,851 schools in VA

Petersburg High

High School · Petersburg City Public Schools

3101 Johnson Road, Petersburg, VA 23805

Enrollment

1,171

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

3.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,636 of 1,851

In Petersburg

#2 of 7

public schools

In district

#2 of 7

Petersburg City Public Schools

Equity

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Petersburg High

3.9/10

High School in Petersburg · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Vernon Johns Middle

2.2/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Walnut Hill Elementary

4.4/10

1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Petersburg High

Petersburg High is a public high school in Petersburg, VA, part of Petersburg City Public Schools. Petersburg High serves approximately 1,171 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Petersburg High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,636 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Petersburg High show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares3.0 pts below VA schools
  • This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
  • VA avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

Petersburg High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

42% of students at Petersburg High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.9Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.47 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency75% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-17.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.7 pts
Overall Proficiency67% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)64% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+2.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College Readiness3.5Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate81%
AP Participation3.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,474
Chronic Absenteeism42.4%

Petersburg High — Students at Petersburg High score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 62.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.4% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 71.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.7% (2025 SOL)

Based on 27 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
84%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
84%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
50%
ELA
74%
2013
Math
73%
ELA
70%
2014
Math
66%
ELA
71%
2015
Math
92%
ELA
69%
2016
Math
48%
ELA
76%
2017
ELA
70%
2018
Math
59%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
59%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
43%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
43%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
58%
ELA
75%

* 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: 3.9/10.

How Petersburg High Compares

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

Overall Score
3.9/10
12th percentile in VA
Academic
5.8/10
Average
Growth
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.9
Sports
8
5 boys' · 3 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
77 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
42.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
3.4% participation·State avg: 2.9 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics8sports offered
5 boys'·3 girls'·13 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

3101 Johnson Road, Petersburg, VA 23805

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Petersburg High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Colonial Heights High (rated 7.4/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Colonial Heights), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Matoaca High (rated 6.4/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Chesterfield), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Petersburg, see our Petersburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Vernon Johns Middle Petersburg 0.2 mi 2.2
Walnut Hill Elementary Petersburg 1.3 mi 4.4
Cool Spring Elementary Petersburg 1.6 mi 2.8
Westview Early Childhood Education Center Petersburg 2.1 mi 3.3
Pleasants Lane Elementary Petersburg 2.5 mi 2.1
BREC ACADEMY Petersburg 2.6 mi
Lakemont Elementary Petersburg 3.6 mi 2.3
Ettrick Elementary Ettrick 3.8 mi 6.3
Colonial Heights Middle Colonial Heights 4.1 mi 4.6
Lakeview Elementary Colonial Heights 5.5 mi 4.9
Colonial Heights High Colonial Heights 5.6 mi 7.4
North Elementary Colonial Heights 6.0 mi 6.7
Matoaca Elementary South Chesterfield 5.5 mi 4.9
Matoaca Middle Matoaca 5.8 mi 3.4
Tussing Elementary Colonial Heights 6.7 mi 7.2
South Elementary Disputanta 6.3 mi 7.2
Middle Road Elementary Prince George 6.6 mi 6.3
Matoaca High Chesterfield 7.3 mi 6.4
J.E.J. Moore Middle Disputanta 6.7 mi 5.3
Carver Middle Chester 8.1 mi 2.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23805 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,811

Median Home Value

$208,200

Median Rent

$1,207/mo

Population

21,385

College Educated

22.9%

Homeownership

58.2%

Avg Commute

27.5 min

Poverty Rate

9.6%

Median Age

37.5

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Richmond High School for the Arts Richmond, VA 3.1
Chancellor High Fredericksburg, VA 4.8
George Washington High Danville, VA 4.8
Fluvanna County High Palmyra, VA 4.9
Hopewell High Hopewell, VA 4.9
Caroline High Milford, VA 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Petersburg High

What grades does Petersburg High serve?

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

How many students attend Petersburg High?

Petersburg High has an enrollment of approximately 1,171 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Petersburg High?

The student-teacher ratio at Petersburg High is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Petersburg High rank in VA?

Petersburg High ranks #1,636 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Petersburg High's MySchoolScout rating?

Petersburg High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Petersburg High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Petersburg High has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Petersburg High a charter school?

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

Is Petersburg High a Title I school?

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

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

96.1% of students at Petersburg 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,171
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
77
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Petersburg city
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
42.4%
4-Year Graduation
81.0%

District

Petersburg City Public Schools
District Enrollment
4,464
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,474
District Rank
#2 of 7

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