Below Average
#1621 of 1,850 schools in VA
Vernon Johns Middle
Middle School · Petersburg City Public Schools
3101 Homestead Drive, Petersburg, VA 23805
Enrollment
901
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
4.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
901
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
4.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Petersburg
#4 of 7
public schools
Virginia middle schools
#326 of 340
In district
#4 of 7
Petersburg City Public Schools
About Vernon Johns Middle
Vernon Johns Middle serves 901 students in grades 6 through 8 in Petersburg, Virginia. With 59 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1, providing reasonable class sizes for middle school learners. The school ranks #1307 out of 1856 Virginia middle schools and receives a 4.6 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout, indicating opportunities for academic growth and development.
As a regular public school, Vernon Johns Middle focuses on serving the educational needs of its diverse student population during these crucial transitional years between elementary and high school. The school draws from a community where families have a median household income of $63,501 and median home values of $197,000. About 22% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 9.3% across the surrounding area of over 21,000 residents.
Vernon Johns Middle sits on Homestead Drive in a rural setting near the town of Petersburg, offering students a quieter learning environment while still maintaining proximity to the resources and opportunities of the broader Petersburg community. This location provides a balance between small-town atmosphere and access to urban amenities.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Vernon Johns Middle 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Vernon Johns Middle — Students at Vernon Johns Middle score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
101.8%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.2/10.
How Vernon Johns Middle Compares
See how Vernon Johns Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 41% (2019) to 69% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 37% (2025).
Location
3101 Homestead Drive, Petersburg, VA 23805
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Vernon Johns Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. J.E.J. Moore Middle (rated 5.7/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Disputanta), which scores notably higher. Another option is Colonial Heights Middle (rated 5.5/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Colonial Heights), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Matoaca Middle (rated 5.1/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Matoaca), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Petersburg, see our Petersburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Petersburg High Petersburg | 0.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Walnut Hill Elementary Petersburg | 1.2 mi | 3.2 |
| Cool Spring Elementary Petersburg | 1.7 mi | 3.6 |
| Westview Early Childhood Education Center Petersburg | 2.2 mi | 5.7 |
| BREC ACADEMY Petersburg | 2.3 mi | — |
| Pleasants Lane Elementary Petersburg | 2.7 mi | 2.9 |
| Lakemont Elementary Petersburg | 3.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Colonial Heights Middle Colonial Heights | 4.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Ettrick Elementary Ettrick | 3.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Colonial Heights High Colonial Heights | 5.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Lakeview Elementary Colonial Heights | 5.6 mi | 7.2 |
| North Elementary Colonial Heights | 6.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Tussing Elementary Colonial Heights | 6.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Matoaca Elementary South Chesterfield | 5.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Matoaca Middle Matoaca | 6.0 mi | 5.1 |
| South Elementary Disputanta | 6.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Middle Road Elementary Prince George | 6.4 mi | 4.0 |
| J.E.J. Moore Middle Disputanta | 6.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Matoaca High Chesterfield | 7.4 mi | 6.8 |
| L.L. Beazley Elementary Prince George | 6.6 mi | 4.4 |
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 Vernon Johns Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Norview Middle Norfolk, VA | 4.0 |
| Grace E. Metz Middle Manassas, VA | 4.2 |
| Fairfield Middle Richmond, VA | 4.3 |
| Brookland Middle Richmond, VA | 4.4 |
| Buford Middle Charlottesville, VA | 3.7 |
| Carver Middle Chester, VA | 3.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Vernon Johns Middle
What grades does Vernon Johns Middle serve?
Vernon Johns Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Vernon Johns Middle?
Vernon Johns Middle has an enrollment of approximately 901 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Vernon Johns Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Vernon Johns Middle is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Vernon Johns Middle rank in VA?
Vernon Johns Middle is ranked #1621 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Vernon Johns Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Vernon Johns Middle has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Vernon Johns Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vernon Johns Middle has 33.2% math proficiency and 40.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Vernon Johns Middle a charter school?
No, Vernon Johns Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Vernon Johns Middle a Title I school?
No, Vernon Johns Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vernon Johns Middle?
101.8% of students at Vernon Johns 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
- City Safety
- High (3,948/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Petersburg). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 901
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 59
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 101.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Petersburg city
- Phone
- (804) 862-7020
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Petersburg City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,464
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,474
- District Rank
- #4 of 7
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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