Average
#1374 of 1,851 schools in VA
William E. Waters Middle
Middle School · Portsmouth City Public Schools
600 Roosevelt Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23701
Enrollment
562
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
5.0
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
562
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
5.0
Grades
7th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia schools
#1,374 of 1,851
In Portsmouth
#6 of 22
public schools
In district
#6 of 22
Portsmouth City Public Schools
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William E. Waters Middle
Middle School in Portsmouth · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Lakeview Elementary
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Camelot Elementary
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About William E. Waters Middle
William E. Waters Middle is a public middle school in Portsmouth, VA, part of Portsmouth City Public Schools. William E.
Waters Middle serves approximately 562 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio. William E. Waters Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,374 of 1,851 schools in VA.
Structured state assessment records for William E. Waters Middle show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.0 · Average
- District avg 4.6
- VA avg 5.9
What Parents Should Know
32% of students at William E. Waters Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
William E. Waters Middle — Students at William E. Waters Middle score 58% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 31 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.3/10.
How William E. Waters Middle Compares
See how William E. Waters Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
600 Roosevelt Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23701
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering William E. Waters Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Deep Creek Middle (rated 5.9/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Chesapeake), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cradock Middle (rated 3.6/10, 2.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Portsmouth, see our Portsmouth schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lakeview Elementary Portsmouth | 0.9 mi | 3.4 |
| Camelot Elementary Chesapeake | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| TINKER BELL DAYCARE Portsmouth | 1.4 mi | — |
| PORTSMOUTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Portsmouth | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Victory Elementary Portsmouth | 1.5 mi | 3.3 |
| PORTSMOUTH CATHOLIC REGIONAL SCHOOL Portsmouth | 1.7 mi | 6.8 |
| G.A. Treakle Elementary Chesapeake | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Douglass Park Elementary Portsmouth | 2.0 mi | 2.2 |
| Manor High Portsmouth | 1.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Hodges Manor Elementary Portsmouth | 2.1 mi | 2.4 |
| Simonsdale Elementary Portsmouth | 2.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Westhaven Elementary Portsmouth | 2.5 mi | 2.7 |
| Cradock Elementary Portsmouth | 2.1 mi | 2.1 |
| Deep Creek Elementary Chesapeake | 2.7 mi | 7.7 |
| ST MARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Portsmouth | 2.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Deep Creek High Chesapeake | 2.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Deep Creek Middle Chesapeake | 2.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Olive Branch Preschool Center Portsmouth | 2.7 mi | 2.5 |
| Cradock Middle Portsmouth | 2.4 mi | 3.6 |
| Mount Hermon Preschool Center Portsmouth | 3.1 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 23701 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,389
Median Home Value
$218,900
Median Rent
$1,313/mo
Population
24,430
College Educated
22.5%
Homeownership
66.3%
Avg Commute
24.2 min
Poverty Rate
12.1%
Median Age
38.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Christiansburg Middle Christiansburg, VA | 5.0 |
| Floyd T. Binns Middle Culpeper, VA | 5.0 |
| Wilbur S. Pence Middle Dayton, VA | 5.0 |
| James Madison Middle Roanoke, VA | 5.1 |
| Johnson-Williams Middle Berryville, VA | 4.9 |
| Laurel Park Middle Martinsville, VA | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about William E. Waters Middle
What grades does William E. Waters Middle serve?
William E. Waters Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend William E. Waters Middle?
William E. Waters Middle has an enrollment of approximately 562 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at William E. Waters Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at William E. Waters Middle is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does William E. Waters Middle rank in VA?
William E. Waters Middle ranks #1,374 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is William E. Waters Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
William E. Waters Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 William E. Waters Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, William E. Waters Middle has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is William E. Waters Middle a charter school?
No, William E. Waters Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is William E. Waters Middle a Title I school?
No, William E. Waters Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for William E. Waters Middle?
100.5% of students at William E. Waters 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 562
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Portsmouth city
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.4%
- Phone
- (757) 558-2813
Resources & Links
District
Portsmouth City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 13,161
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,888
- District Rank
- #6 of 22
Other Schools in This District
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