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Average

#973 of 1,850 schools in VA

Western Branch High

High School · Chesapeake City Public Schools

1968 Bruin Pl, Chesapeake, VA 23321

Enrollment

2,116

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

6.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chesapeake

#28 of 45

public schools

Virginia high schools

#210 of 323

In district

#28 of 45

Chesapeake City Public Schools

Academic performance

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Western Branch High

Western Branch High serves 2,116 students in grades 9-12 in Chesapeake, Virginia, making it a sizable high school with 137 full-time teachers maintaining a manageable 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. As a regular public school, Western Branch currently ranks in the 28th percentile among Virginia high schools, indicating significant room for academic growth and development. The school draws from an established suburban community where families demonstrate strong educational values, with 39% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

The surrounding neighborhood reflects economic stability, with a median household income of $96,235 and median home values around $334,500. The relatively low poverty rate of 7.5% suggests students come from families with resources to support their educational journey. Despite its current academic standing, Western Branch High operates in an environment positioned for improvement, with the school's substantial enrollment providing opportunities for diverse programming and the community's educational background suggesting strong parental involvement and expectations.

The school's location in Chesapeake offers students access to both urban amenities and suburban stability, creating a balanced environment for high school students to develop academically and socially within this thriving Hampton Roads community.

What Parents Should Know

Western Branch High is a large school with 2,116 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.35 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.7Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency91%
Reading/ELA Proficiency88%
Math vs. State Avg+15.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.3 pts
Overall Proficiency90%
Expected (poverty-adj.)82%
vs. Expected+7.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
College Readiness5.0Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation12.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,740

Western Branch High — Students at Western Branch High score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 82%).

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 85.7%
School
State
75.4%
ELA Proficiency 88.0%
School
State
75.7%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
95%
ELA
92%
2021*
Math
71%
ELA
84%
2025
Math
91%
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: 7.0/10.

How Western Branch High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
48th percentile in VA
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
137 teachers

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 6.3/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Portsmouth), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Manor High (rated 6.0/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Portsmouth), with a very similar rating. 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 6.9
Western Branch Primary Chesapeake 0.3 mi 5.6
ALDERSGATE NEW CREATION UMC KINDER PREP Chesapeake 0.4 mi 4.6
Western Branch Intermediate Chesapeake 0.5 mi 5.8
Churchland Elementary Portsmouth 1.4 mi 4.6
CHRISTOPHER ACADEMY Portsmouth 1.6 mi 4.6
TORAS CHAIM Portsmouth 1.6 mi 6.1
Olive Branch Preschool Center Portsmouth 2.0 mi 4.5
SWEETHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Portsmouth 2.2 mi 4.8
Edwin W. Chittum Elementary Chesapeake 2.5 mi 7.4
Colonel Fred Cherry Middle Suffolk 2.6 mi 6.5
Hodges Manor Elementary Portsmouth 2.7 mi 2.4
Churchland Middle Portsmouth 2.7 mi 5.1
Churchland Preschool Center Portsmouth 2.7 mi 6.5
Churchland Academy Elementary Portsmouth 2.7 mi 4.0
Northern Shores Elementary Suffolk 3.0 mi 6.0
Manor High Portsmouth 2.8 mi 6.0
Simonsdale Elementary Portsmouth 2.7 mi 3.9
Churchland Primary & Intermediate Portsmouth 3.2 mi 5.3
Churchland High Portsmouth 3.0 mi 6.3

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Western Branch High has a median household income of $98,257. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $352,000, with a median rent of $1,434/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. 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
Bethel High Hampton, VA 6.3
Churchland High Portsmouth, VA 6.3
Fairfax High Fairfax, VA 6.3
John Handley High Winchester, VA 6.3
King George High King George, VA 6.3
Menchville High Newport News, VA 6.3

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 is ranked #973 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Western Branch High's MySchoolScout rating?

Western Branch High has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Western Branch High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Western Branch High has 85.7% math proficiency and 88.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (2,087/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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