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
Enrollment
2,116
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
6.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Western Branch High — Students at Western Branch High score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 82%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.8%
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: 7.0/10.
How Western Branch High Compares
See how Western Branch High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 95% (2019) to 91% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 92% (2019) to 88% (2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (757) 638-7900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chesapeake City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 40,576
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,274
- District Rank
- #28 of 45
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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