Very Good
#525 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 28% in state
Varina High
High School · Henrico County Public Schools
7053 Messer Rd, Richmond, VA 23231
Enrollment
1,411
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,411
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Richmond
#17 of 94
public schools
Virginia high schools
#114 of 323
In district
#5 of 67
Henrico County Public Schools
Academic growth
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Varina High
Varina High serves 1,411 students in grades 9-12 in Henrico County, offering a substantial high school experience with a manageable 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio supported by 102 full-time equivalent teachers. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #855 out of 1,856 Virginia high schools, placing it in the 54th percentile statewide. As a regular public school, Varina High provides comprehensive secondary education to families in the 23231 area, where the median household income is $69,972 and median home values reach $245,700.
The surrounding community of 37,370 residents reflects a diverse socioeconomic mix, with 26% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 12.4%. The school's size allows for diverse programming and activities while maintaining opportunities for meaningful student-teacher relationships. With over 100 dedicated educators serving more than 1,400 students, Varina High represents a significant educational hub in the region with room for academic growth and development.
Located on Messer Road, Varina High sits in a large suburban setting that combines residential neighborhoods with convenient access to the greater Richmond metropolitan area's resources and opportunities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Varina High — Students at Varina High score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
89.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 6 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: 8.5/10.
How Varina High Compares
See how Varina High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 79% (2019) to 81% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 73% (2025).
Location
7053 Messer Rd, Richmond, VA 23231
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Varina High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Franklin Military Academy (rated 8.6/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CHURCH HILL ACADEMY (rated 5.7/10, 3.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Richmond, see our Richmond schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| John Rolfe Middle Richmond | 0.5 mi | 4.5 |
| George F. Baker Elementary Richmond | 0.9 mi | 2.4 |
| Varina Elementary Richmond | 2.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Montrose Elementary Richmond | 3.3 mi | 3.0 |
| CHURCH HILL ACADEMY Richmond | 3.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Anthony P. Mehfoud Elementary Richmond | 3.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Henry D. Ward Elementary Richmond | 3.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Franklin Military Academy Richmond | 4.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Jacob L. Adams Elementary Richmond | 4.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Chimborazo Elementary Richmond | 4.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Oak Grove/Bellemeade Elementary Richmond | 3.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Summer Hill Preschool Center Richmond | 3.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Henry Marsh III Elementary Richmond | 4.7 mi | 1.9 |
| Bellevue Elementary Richmond | 4.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Fairfield Middle Richmond | 5.2 mi | 4.3 |
| ANNA JULIA COOPER SCHOOL Richmond | 5.2 mi | 4.7 |
| CENTRAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF VIRGINIA Richmond | 5.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Woodville Elementary Richmond | 5.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Blackwell Elementary Richmond | 4.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Highland Springs Elementary Highland Springs | 5.3 mi | 3.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 23231 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,245
Median Home Value
$270,400
Median Rent
$1,272/mo
Population
37,949
College Educated
28.6%
Homeownership
67.7%
Avg Commute
26.1 min
Poverty Rate
12.5%
Median Age
42.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Varina High has a median household income of $74,245. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $270,400, with a median rent of $1,272/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Jamestown High Williamsburg, VA | 7.3 |
| Spotswood High Penn Laird, VA | 7.3 |
| Warwick High Newport News, VA | 7.3 |
| Henrico High Richmond, VA | 7.2 |
| King's Fork High Suffolk, VA | 7.2 |
| Blacksburg High Blacksburg, VA | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Varina High
What grades does Varina High serve?
Varina High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Varina High?
Varina High has an enrollment of approximately 1,411 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Varina High?
The student-teacher ratio at Varina High is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Varina High rank in VA?
Varina High is ranked #525 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Varina High's MySchoolScout rating?
Varina High has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Varina High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Varina High has 66.7% math proficiency and 74.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Varina High a charter school?
No, Varina High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Varina High a Title I school?
No, Varina High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Varina High?
89.4% of students at Varina 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Richmond). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,411
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 102
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 89.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Henrico County
- Phone
- (804) 226-8700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Henrico County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 50,463
- Schools in District
- 81
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,973
- District Rank
- #5 of 67
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
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