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Very Good

#675 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 36% in state

Western Branch High

High School · Chesapeake City Public Schools

1968 Bruin Pl, Chesapeake, VA 23321

Enrollment

2,116

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

7.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#675 of 1,851

In Chesapeake

#23 of 45

public schools

In district

#23 of 45

Chesapeake City Public Schools

Academic performance

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Western Branch High

7.1/10

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

Western Branch Middle

7.0/10

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

Western Branch Primary

5.9/10

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

About Western Branch High

Western Branch High is a public high school in Chesapeake, VA, part of Chesapeake City Public Schools. Western Branch High serves approximately 2,116 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Western Branch High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #675 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Western Branch High show 88% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 90% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 7.1 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.7
  • VA avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

Western Branch High is a large school: 2,116 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.35 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency89% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency88% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg+13.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.3 pts
Overall Proficiency89% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)80% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+8.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College Readiness5.8Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%
AP Participation12.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,274
Chronic Absenteeism17%

Western Branch High — Students at Western Branch High score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 80%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 87.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.4% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 90.4% (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

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
97%
ELA
93%
2010
Math
95%
ELA
94%
2011
Math
79%
ELA
94%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
90%
2013
Math
88%
ELA
91%
2014
Math
95%
ELA
91%
2015
Math
93%
ELA
91%
2016
Math
91%
ELA
90%
2017
ELA
91%
2018
Math
95%
ELA
92%
2019
Math
95%
ELA
92%
2020*
Math
71%
ELA
84%
2021*
Math
71%
ELA
84%
2025
Math
89%
ELA
88%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How Western Branch High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
64th percentile in VA
Academic
8.9/10
Excellent
Growth
8.3/10
Excellent
Environment
5.3/10
Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.9
Sports
24
12 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
137 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.0%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
12.5% participation·State avg: 2.9 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics24sports offered
12 boys'·12 girls'·34 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

1968 Bruin Pl, Chesapeake, VA 23321

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Western Branch High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Churchland High (rated 6.8/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Portsmouth), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Manor High (rated 5.4/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Portsmouth), a more accessible option. For more schools in Chesapeake, see our Chesapeake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Western Branch Middle Chesapeake 0.3 mi 7.0
Western Branch Primary Chesapeake 0.3 mi 5.9
ALDERSGATE NEW CREATION UMC KINDER PREP Chesapeake 0.4 mi 4.6
Western Branch Intermediate Chesapeake 0.5 mi 7.2
Churchland Elementary Portsmouth 1.4 mi 5.7
CHRISTOPHER ACADEMY Portsmouth 1.6 mi 4.5
TORAS CHAIM Portsmouth 1.6 mi 6.1
Olive Branch Preschool Center Portsmouth 2.0 mi 2.5
SWEETHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Portsmouth 2.2 mi 4.9
Edwin W. Chittum Elementary Chesapeake 2.5 mi 7.7
Colonel Fred Cherry Middle Suffolk 2.6 mi 5.3
Hodges Manor Elementary Portsmouth 2.7 mi 2.4
Churchland Middle Portsmouth 2.7 mi 5.3
Churchland Preschool Center Portsmouth 2.7 mi 4.6
Churchland Academy Elementary Portsmouth 2.7 mi 4.3
Northern Shores Elementary Suffolk 3.0 mi 6.7
Manor High Portsmouth 2.8 mi 5.4
Simonsdale Elementary Portsmouth 2.7 mi 4.1
Churchland Primary & Intermediate Portsmouth 3.2 mi 4.3
Churchland High Portsmouth 3.0 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23321 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$98,257

Median Home Value

$352,000

Median Rent

$1,434/mo

Population

39,469

College Educated

39.1%

Homeownership

77.3%

Avg Commute

25.5 min

Poverty Rate

8.5%

Median Age

37.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Deep Creek High Chesapeake, VA 7.1
Millbrook High Winchester, VA 7.1
Nansemond River High Suffolk, VA 7.1
Patriot High Nokesville, VA 7.1
Annandale High Annandale, VA 7.0
Cosby High Midlothian, VA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Western Branch High

What grades does Western Branch High serve?

Western Branch High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Western Branch High?

Western Branch High has an enrollment of approximately 2,116 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Western Branch High?

The student-teacher ratio at Western Branch High is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Western Branch High rank in VA?

Western Branch High ranks #675 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Western Branch High's MySchoolScout rating?

Western Branch High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 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 Western Branch High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Western Branch High has 88% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 90% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Western Branch High a charter school?

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

Is Western Branch High a Title I school?

No, Western Branch High is not currently a Title I school.

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

36.8% of students at Western Branch 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
8 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,116
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
137
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Chesapeake city
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.0%
4-Year Graduation
90.0%

District

Chesapeake City Public Schools
District Enrollment
40,576
Schools in District
48
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,274
District Rank
#23 of 45

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