Average
#817 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 44% in state
William E. Waters Middle
Middle School · Portsmouth City Public Schools
600 Roosevelt Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23701
Enrollment
562
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
562
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Portsmouth
#2 of 22
public schools
Virginia middle schools
#175 of 340
In district
#2 of 22
Portsmouth City Public Schools
Equity
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About William E. Waters Middle
William E. Waters Middle is a regular public middle school in Portsmouth, Virginia, serving students in grades 7 and 8. With an enrollment of 562 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1, the school benefits from smaller class sizes that allow for more personalized attention.
Teachers at William E. Waters Middle are dedicated professionals with full-time equivalents ensuring consistent support for all students. The academic performance at William E.
Waters Middle is in the lower half of Virginia's middle schools, ranking 1482 out of 1856. The school’s MySchoolScout rating reflects areas where there is room for improvement, particularly in math proficiency, with only 52% of students reaching proficiency levels compared to 65% in ELA/Reading. Despite these challenges, the school continues to focus on student development and growth.
Located in a small city setting, William E. Waters Middle serves a community that values education and works collaboratively with educators to support young learners during their middle school years.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
William E. Waters Middle — Students at William E. Waters Middle score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
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 10 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: 5.4/10.
How William E. Waters Middle Compares
See how William E. Waters Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 68% (2019) to 95% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 68% (2019) to 61% (2025).
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 7.6/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Chesapeake), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cradock Middle (rated 7.6/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 3.8 |
| Camelot Elementary Chesapeake | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
| TINKER BELL DAYCARE Portsmouth | 1.4 mi | — |
| PORTSMOUTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Portsmouth | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Victory Elementary Portsmouth | 1.5 mi | 3.2 |
| PORTSMOUTH CATHOLIC REGIONAL SCHOOL Portsmouth | 1.7 mi | 6.8 |
| G.A. Treakle Elementary Chesapeake | 1.6 mi | 9.1 |
| Douglass Park Elementary Portsmouth | 2.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Manor High Portsmouth | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Hodges Manor Elementary Portsmouth | 2.1 mi | 2.4 |
| Simonsdale Elementary Portsmouth | 2.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Westhaven Elementary Portsmouth | 2.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Cradock Elementary Portsmouth | 2.1 mi | 2.5 |
| Deep Creek Elementary Chesapeake | 2.7 mi | 6.0 |
| ST MARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Portsmouth | 2.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Deep Creek High Chesapeake | 2.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Deep Creek Middle Chesapeake | 2.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Olive Branch Preschool Center Portsmouth | 2.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Cradock Middle Portsmouth | 2.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Mount Hermon Preschool Center Portsmouth | 3.1 mi | 6.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding William E. Waters Middle has a median household income of $63,389. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $218,900, with a median rent of $1,313/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Amelia County Middle Amelia, VA | 6.7 |
| Appomattox Middle Appomattox, VA | 6.7 |
| Locust Grove Middle Locust Grove, VA | 6.7 |
| Fieldale-Collinsville Middle Collinsville, VA | 6.8 |
| Tazewell Middle Tazewell, VA | 6.6 |
| Colonel Fred Cherry Middle Suffolk, VA | 6.5 |
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 is ranked #817 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is William E. Waters Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
William E. Waters Middle has a composite rating of 6.7 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 William E. Waters Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, William E. Waters Middle has 60.0% math proficiency and 64.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (4,615/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Portsmouth). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (757) 558-2813
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Portsmouth City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 13,161
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,888
- District Rank
- #2 of 22
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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