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#1456 of 1,850 schools in VA

Powhatan High

High School · Powhatan County Public Schools

1800 Judes Ferry Road, Powhatan, VA 23139

Enrollment

1,383

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

5.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Powhatan

#5 of 5

public schools

Virginia high schools

#306 of 323

In district

#5 of 5

Powhatan County Public Schools

About Powhatan High

Powhatan High serves 1,383 students in grades 9-12 in Powhatan County, Virginia. With 92 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a reasonable 15-to-1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school currently ranks in the 34th percentile among Virginia high schools, positioning at #1,223 out of 1,856 schools statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10.

This indicates significant room for academic growth as the school works to support its student body's educational development. Powhatan High draws students from an economically stable community where the median household income reaches $107,265 and median home values sit at $344,700. The surrounding area shows strong economic foundations with only a 4.7% poverty rate, though about one-third of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, suggesting diverse educational backgrounds among families.

Located at 1800 Judes Ferry Road, the school sits in a rural setting near town, providing students with a more intimate educational environment away from urban distractions while still maintaining access to community resources and activities that support both academic and personal growth.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Powhatan 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 Progress2.8Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.49 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53%
Reading/ELA Proficiency89%
Math vs. State Avg-22.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.3 pts
Overall Proficiency71%
Expected (poverty-adj.)86%
vs. Expected-14.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College Readiness8.0Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation25.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,437

Powhatan High — Students at Powhatan High score 71% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 86%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.0%
School
State
75.4%
ELA Proficiency 89.3%
School
State
75.7%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
84%
ELA
89%
2021*
Math
64%
ELA
90%
2025
Math
53%
ELA
89%

* 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: 2.8/10.

How Powhatan High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
21th percentile in VA
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
2.8/10
Below average
Environment
4.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
92 teachers

Location

1800 Judes Ferry Road, Powhatan, VA 23139

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Powhatan High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BENEDICTINE COLLEGE PREPARATORY (rated 7.2/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Richmond), which scores notably higher. Another option is Midlothian High (rated 6.8/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Midlothian), which scores notably higher. Additionally, James River High (rated 6.6/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Midlothian), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Powhatan, see our Powhatan schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Flat Rock Elementary Powhatan 0.3 mi 7.2
BLESSED SACRAMENT HUGUENOT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Powhatan 5.2 mi 4.7
Old Hundred Elementary Midlothian 6.5 mi 7.6
Moseley Elementary Moseley 8.7 mi 5.5
Powhatan Elementary Powhatan 7.5 mi 6.9
Powhatan Middle Powhatan 7.6 mi 7.4
Grange Hall Elementary Moseley 9.4 mi 7.7
Tomahawk Creek Middle Midlothian 8.2 mi 6.8
Midlothian High Midlothian 8.0 mi 6.8
BENEDICTINE COLLEGE PREPARATORY Richmond 8.4 mi 7.2
Woolridge Elementary Midlothian 9.0 mi 6.2
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF MIDLOTHIAN VILLAGE Midlothian 8.1 mi
Pocahontas Elementary Powhatan 8.4 mi 6.1
J.B. Watkins Elementary Midlothian 8.4 mi 6.8
Bettie Weaver Elementary Midlothian 8.4 mi 6.4
Cosby High Midlothian 9.7 mi 6.4
Midlothian Middle Midlothian 8.5 mi 6.8
James River High Midlothian 8.7 mi 6.6
MILLWOOD SCHOOL Midlothian 9.8 mi 6.2
Swift Creek Elementary Midlothian 9.2 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23139 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$109,231

Median Home Value

$370,400

Median Rent

$1,153/mo

Population

27,085

College Educated

34.7%

Homeownership

92.9%

Avg Commute

33.4 min

Poverty Rate

3.3%

Median Age

45.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Powhatan High has a median household income of $109,231. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $370,400, with a median rent of $1,153/month. The local poverty rate of 3.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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
Heritage High Lynchburg, VA 5.1
Hermitage High Richmond, VA 5.1
Staunton River High Moneta, VA 4.9
Alleghany High Covington, VA 5.2
C.D. Hylton High Woodbridge, VA 4.8
I.C. Norcom High Portsmouth, VA 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Powhatan High

What grades does Powhatan High serve?

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

How many students attend Powhatan High?

Powhatan High has an enrollment of approximately 1,383 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Powhatan High?

The student-teacher ratio at Powhatan High is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Powhatan High rank in VA?

Powhatan High is ranked #1456 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Powhatan High's MySchoolScout rating?

Powhatan High has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Powhatan High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Powhatan High has 67.0% math proficiency and 89.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Powhatan High a charter school?

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

Is Powhatan High a Title I school?

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

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

23.9% of students at Powhatan 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
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (692/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,383
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
92
Free/Reduced Lunch
23.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Powhatan County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Powhatan County Public Schools
District Enrollment
4,218
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,138
District Rank
#5 of 5

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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