For the 2026 school year, there are 23 public schools serving 13,161 students in Portsmouth City, VA (there are 12 private schools, serving 1,484 private students). 90% of all K-12 students in Portsmouth City, VA are educated in public schools (compared to the VA state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Portsmouth City, VA are Churchland High School, Manor High School and Churchland Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Portsmouth City, VA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the Virginia public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 58% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Portsmouth City have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Virginia public schools.
Minority enrollment is 84% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Virginia public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Portsmouth City (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Churchland High School
Magnet School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4301 Cedar Ln
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2500
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2500
Gr: 9-12 | 1,453 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #22.
Manor High School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1401 Elmhurst Ln
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2907
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2907
Gr: 9-12 | 1,149 student Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #33.
Churchland Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5601 Michael Ln
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2523
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2523
Gr: K-6 | 721 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #44.
Churchland Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4051 River Shore Rd
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2512
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2512
Gr: 7-8 | 798 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #55.
Churchland Primary & Intermediate
(Math: 69% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5700 Hedgerow Ln
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2519
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2519
Gr: K-6 | 503 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #66.
I.c. Norcom High School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1801 London Blvd
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-5442
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-5442
Gr: 9-12 | 1,009 student Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #77.
William E. Waters Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
600 Roosevelt Blvd
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 558-2813
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 558-2813
Gr: 7-8 | 549 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #88.
Simonsdale Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4841 Clifford Street
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2917
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2917
Gr: K-6 | 613 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #99.
Victory Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2828 Greenwood Drive
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 393-8806
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 393-8806
Gr: K-6 | 586 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #1010.
Churchland Academy Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4061 River Shore Rd
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2527
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2527
Gr: K-6 | 626 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #1111.
Hodges Manor Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1201 Cherokee Rd
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2921
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2921
Gr: K-6 | 466 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #1212.
Cradock Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
21 Alden Ave
Portsmouth, VA 23702
(757) 393-8788
Portsmouth, VA 23702
(757) 393-8788
Gr: 7-8 | 516 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1313.
Park View Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
260 Elm Ave
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-8647
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-8647
Gr: K-6 | 400 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #1414.
Lakeview Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1300 Horne Ave
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2901
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2901
Gr: K-6 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1515.
Westhaven Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3701 Clifford St
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8855
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8855
Gr: K-6 | 401 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #1616.
Brighton Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1100 Portsmouth Blvd.
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-8870
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 393-8870
Gr: K-6 | 483 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1717.
Waterview Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3649 Hartford St
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8879
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8879
Gr: K-6 | 576 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1818.
Cradock Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
18 Dahlgren Ave
Portsmouth, VA 23702
(757) 558-2811
Portsmouth, VA 23702
(757) 558-2811
Gr: K-6 | 616 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #1919.
Douglass Park Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
34 Grand St
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 393-8646
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 393-8646
Gr: K-6 | 510 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
4061 River Shore Road
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2533
Portsmouth, VA 23703
(757) 686-2533
Gr: PK | 112 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: n/an/a
3000 North St.
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8825
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8825
Gr: PK | 208 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: n/an/a
New Directions Center
Alternative School
401 West Road
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8728
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 393-8728
Rank: n/an/a
415 Mimosa Road
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2926
Portsmouth, VA 23701
(757) 465-2926
Gr: PK | 171 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Portsmouth City, VA?
The top-ranked public schools in Portsmouth City, VA include Churchland High School, Manor High School and Churchland Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Portsmouth City?
23 public schools are located in Portsmouth City.
What percentage of students in Portsmouth City go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Portsmouth City are educated in public schools (compared to the VA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Portsmouth City?
Portsmouth City public schools minority enrollment is 84% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Virginia public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Portsmouth City are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Portsmouth City include: I.c. Norcom High School vs. Churchland High School, Churchland High School vs. I.c. Norcom High School, Churchland Primary & Intermediate vs. Churchland Academy Elementary School
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
