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Average

#1236 of 1,850 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

5.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Petersburg

#1 of 7

public schools

Virginia high schools

#275 of 323

In district

#1 of 7

Petersburg City Public Schools

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Petersburg High

Petersburg High serves 1,171 students in grades 9-12 at 3101 Johnson Road in Petersburg, Virginia. This regular public high school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.2 to 1, with 77 full-time equivalent teachers working to support the student body. The school currently ranks in the 32nd percentile among Virginia high schools, placing it at #1271 out of 1856 schools statewide, with room for academic growth as the community continues to invest in student development.

Petersburg High operates within a setting that balances rural tranquility with proximity to town amenities, offering students both space and accessibility. The surrounding 23805 ZIP code community reflects a median household income of $63,501 and median home values of $197,000, serving a population of 21,427 residents. About 22% of area adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively modest at 9.3%, indicating a working-class community with diverse economic backgrounds.

Students at Petersburg High benefit from the school's substantial enrollment, which typically allows for varied course offerings and extracurricular opportunities that come with a larger student body. The school sits in a rural area near town, providing students with a peaceful learning environment while maintaining access to urban resources and opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Petersburg High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.95 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics5.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency75%
Math vs. State Avg-13.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.7 pts
Overall Proficiency69%
Expected (poverty-adj.)68%
vs. Expected+0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
College Readiness2.5Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation3.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,113

Petersburg High — Students at Petersburg High score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

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 54.7%
School
State
75.4%
ELA Proficiency 64.7%
School
State
75.7%

Based on 6 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
59%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
43%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
62%
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: 9.8/10.

How Petersburg High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
33th percentile in VA
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
5.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
77 teachers

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 6.8/10, 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 4.1
Walnut Hill Elementary Petersburg 1.3 mi 3.2
Cool Spring Elementary Petersburg 1.6 mi 3.6
Westview Early Childhood Education Center Petersburg 2.1 mi 5.7
Pleasants Lane Elementary Petersburg 2.5 mi 2.9
BREC ACADEMY Petersburg 2.6 mi
Lakemont Elementary Petersburg 3.6 mi 4.5
Ettrick Elementary Ettrick 3.8 mi 7.0
Colonial Heights Middle Colonial Heights 4.1 mi 5.5
Lakeview Elementary Colonial Heights 5.5 mi 7.2
Colonial Heights High Colonial Heights 5.6 mi 7.4
North Elementary Colonial Heights 6.0 mi 8.0
Matoaca Elementary South Chesterfield 5.5 mi 6.0
Matoaca Middle Matoaca 5.8 mi 5.1
Tussing Elementary Colonial Heights 6.7 mi 5.9
South Elementary Disputanta 6.3 mi 4.9
Middle Road Elementary Prince George 6.6 mi 4.0
Matoaca High Chesterfield 7.3 mi 6.8
J.E.J. Moore Middle Disputanta 6.7 mi 5.7
Carver Middle Chester 8.1 mi 3.7

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Petersburg High has a median household income of $65,811. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $208,200, with a median rent of $1,207/month. The local poverty rate of 9.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Culpeper County High Culpeper, VA 5.7
ST PAUL VI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Chantilly, VA 5.7
Bassett High Bassett, VA 5.8
East Rockingham High Elkton, VA 5.8
Fluvanna County High Palmyra, VA 5.8
Hopewell High Hopewell, VA 5.8

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 is ranked #1236 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Petersburg High's MySchoolScout rating?

Petersburg High has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Petersburg High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Petersburg High has 54.7% math proficiency and 64.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (3,948/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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