Average
#689 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 37% in state
Western Branch Middle
Middle School · Chesapeake City Public Schools
4201 Hawksley Dr, Chesapeake, VA 23321
Enrollment
903
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
903
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chesapeake
#17 of 45
public schools
Virginia middle schools
#151 of 340
In district
#17 of 45
Chesapeake City Public Schools
Equity
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Western Branch Middle
Western Branch Middle serves 903 students in grades 6-8 in Chesapeake, Virginia, with a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1 supported by 62 full-time equivalent teachers. The school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks 1,101 out of 1,856 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 41st percentile among Virginia schools with room for academic growth. Located at 4201 Hawksley Drive, this regular public middle school operates within a well-established community where families demonstrate strong educational values and economic stability.
The surrounding 23321 ZIP code area reflects an affluent neighborhood with a median household income of $96,235 and median home values of $334,500. Nearly 39% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains low at just 7.5%. The school's substantial enrollment creates opportunities for diverse programming and peer interactions, while the manageable class sizes allow teachers to provide more individualized attention to students during these crucial middle school years.
Western Branch Middle is situated in Chesapeake's large city environment, offering students access to urban amenities while serving a community that values education and maintains strong economic foundations.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Western Branch Middle — Students at Western Branch Middle score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 77%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.7%
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
→ 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: 6.3/10.
How Western Branch Middle Compares
See how Western Branch Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 83% (2019) to 96% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 79% (2025).
Location
4201 Hawksley Dr, Chesapeake, VA 23321
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Western Branch Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Colonel Fred Cherry Middle (rated 6.5/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Suffolk), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Churchland Middle (rated 5.1/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Portsmouth), a more accessible option. For more schools in Chesapeake, see our Chesapeake schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Western Branch Primary Chesapeake | 0.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Western Branch High Chesapeake | 0.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Western Branch Intermediate Chesapeake | 0.4 mi | 5.8 |
| ALDERSGATE NEW CREATION UMC KINDER PREP Chesapeake | 0.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Churchland Elementary Portsmouth | 1.2 mi | 4.6 |
| CHRISTOPHER ACADEMY Portsmouth | 1.3 mi | 4.6 |
| TORAS CHAIM Portsmouth | 1.4 mi | 6.1 |
| SWEETHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Portsmouth | 1.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Olive Branch Preschool Center Portsmouth | 2.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Churchland Middle Portsmouth | 2.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Colonel Fred Cherry Middle Suffolk | 2.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Churchland Preschool Center Portsmouth | 2.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Churchland Academy Elementary Portsmouth | 2.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Edwin W. Chittum Elementary Chesapeake | 2.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Northern Shores Elementary Suffolk | 2.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Hodges Manor Elementary Portsmouth | 2.7 mi | 2.4 |
| Churchland High Portsmouth | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Manor High Portsmouth | 2.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Churchland Primary & Intermediate Portsmouth | 2.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Simonsdale Elementary Portsmouth | 2.6 mi | 3.9 |
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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Blacksburg Middle Blacksburg, VA | 6.9 |
| Johnson Middle Fairfax, VA | 6.9 |
| Kempsville Middle Virginia Beach, VA | 6.9 |
| New Kent Middle New Kent, VA | 6.9 |
| Potomac Shores Middle Dumfries, VA | 6.9 |
| Robious Middle Midlothian, VA | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Western Branch Middle
What grades does Western Branch Middle serve?
Western Branch Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Western Branch Middle?
Western Branch Middle has an enrollment of approximately 903 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Western Branch Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Western Branch Middle is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Western Branch Middle rank in VA?
Western Branch Middle is ranked #689 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Western Branch Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Western Branch Middle has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Western Branch Middle has 72.2% math proficiency and 79.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Western Branch Middle a charter school?
No, Western Branch Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Western Branch Middle a Title I school?
No, Western Branch Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Western Branch Middle?
57.7% of students at Western Branch 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 (2,087/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chesapeake). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 903
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 62
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Chesapeake city
- Phone
- (757) 638-7920
- 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
- #17 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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