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Very Good

#702 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 38% 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

7.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#702 of 1,851

In Chesapeake

#26 of 45

public schools

In district

#26 of 45

Chesapeake City Public Schools

Academic growth

7.3 / 10

Very Good

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Western Branch Middle

7.0/10

Middle School in Chesapeake · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Western Branch Primary

5.9/10

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

Western Branch High

7.1/10

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

About Western Branch Middle

Western Branch Middle is a public middle school in Chesapeake, VA, part of Chesapeake City Public Schools. Western Branch Middle serves approximately 903 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Western Branch Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #702 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Western Branch Middle show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 7.0 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.5
  • VA avg 5.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.59 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.6Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency79% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-3.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.3 pts
Overall Proficiency76% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)75% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,274
Chronic Absenteeism12%

Western Branch Middle — Students at Western Branch Middle score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 72.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
66.4% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 81.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.8% (2025 SOL)

Based on 33 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
87%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
91%
2012
Math
75%
ELA
74%
2013
Math
78%
ELA
73%
2014
Math
82%
ELA
78%
2015
Math
82%
ELA
84%
2016
Math
73%
ELA
82%
2017
ELA
83%
2018
Math
83%
ELA
82%
2019
Math
83%
ELA
82%
2020*
Math
53%
ELA
78%
2021*
Math
53%
ELA
78%
2025
Math
68.3%
ELA
79.3%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Western Branch Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
62th percentile in VA
Academic
6.6/10
Average
Growth
7.3/10
Very Good
Environment
7.0/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
62 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.0%

Programs & Offerings

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

4201 Hawksley Dr, Chesapeake, VA 23321

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Western Branch Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Churchland Middle (rated 5.3/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Portsmouth), a more accessible option. Additionally, Colonel Fred Cherry Middle (rated 5.3/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Suffolk), 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 5.9
Western Branch High Chesapeake 0.3 mi 7.1
Western Branch Intermediate Chesapeake 0.4 mi 7.2
ALDERSGATE NEW CREATION UMC KINDER PREP Chesapeake 0.7 mi 4.6
Churchland Elementary Portsmouth 1.2 mi 5.7
CHRISTOPHER ACADEMY Portsmouth 1.3 mi 4.5
TORAS CHAIM Portsmouth 1.4 mi 6.1
SWEETHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Portsmouth 1.9 mi 4.9
Olive Branch Preschool Center Portsmouth 2.0 mi 2.5
Churchland Middle Portsmouth 2.4 mi 5.3
Colonel Fred Cherry Middle Suffolk 2.5 mi 5.3
Churchland Preschool Center Portsmouth 2.4 mi 4.6
Churchland Academy Elementary Portsmouth 2.5 mi 4.3
Edwin W. Chittum Elementary Chesapeake 2.7 mi 7.7
Northern Shores Elementary Suffolk 2.8 mi 6.7
Hodges Manor Elementary Portsmouth 2.7 mi 2.4
Churchland High Portsmouth 2.7 mi 6.8
Manor High Portsmouth 2.9 mi 5.4
Churchland Primary & Intermediate Portsmouth 2.9 mi 4.3
Simonsdale Elementary Portsmouth 2.6 mi 4.1

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
Northside Middle Roanoke, VA 7.0
Tunstall Middle Dry Fork, VA 7.0
Greenbrier Middle Chesapeake, VA 6.9
Kilmer Middle Vienna, VA 7.1
W.C. Taylor Middle Warrenton, VA 6.9
Belmont Ridge Middle Leesburg, VA 7.2

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 ranks #702 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Western Branch Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Western Branch Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Western Branch Middle has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
12 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.0%

District

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

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