Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

Portsmouth City Public Schools

Virginia · Public School District
22
Schools
13,371
Students
$14,083
Per-Pupil Spend
≈ nat'l avg
99.9%
Free Lunch Rate
+48pp vs nat'l
80.7%
Graduation Rate
-5.8pp vs nat'l
District Overview

Portsmouth City Public Schools is a public school district in Virginia serving 13,371 students across 22 schools. It includes 13 elementary, 3 middle, 3 high schools. Its graduation rate of 80.7% is below the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $14,083 is near the national average for a US public school district. 100% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting significant economic need in the community. Opportunity scores across its schools are limited, with a district median of 42/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (22)
Middle Schools3 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
CHURCHLAND MIDDLE07–08890
CRADOCK MIDDLE07–08533
William E. Waters Middle07–08534
High Schools3 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
CHURCHLAND HIGH09–121,435
I.C. NORCOM HIGH09–121,043
MANOR HIGH09–121,236
Other Schools3 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Churchland Preschool CenterPK–PK114
MOUNT HERMON PRESCHOOL CENTERPK–PK256
Olive Branch Preschool CenterPK–PK191
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$14,083Near national avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
55%
33%
State
54.9%
Local (property tax)
32.7%
Federal
12.4%

Funding is shared between state (55%) and local sources (33%), with limited federal reliance.

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
22
Schools
13,371
Students
100%
Free Lunch
$14K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate80.7%
Opportunity Score42/100
StateVirginia →
School Rankings
Strengths & Considerations
Range of school options
With 22 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
Below-average graduation rate
At 80.7%, graduation is 5.8 points below the national average of 86.5%.
High economic need in community
100% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch — above the national rate of 52.2% — reflecting broader economic challenges.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Portsmouth City Public Schools?
Portsmouth City Public Schools has 22 public schools, serving a total of 13,371 students.
What is the graduation rate for Portsmouth City Public Schools?
The graduation rate is 80.7%, which is below the national average of 86.5%.
How much does Portsmouth City Public Schools spend per student?
Portsmouth City Public Schools spends $14,083 per pupil — 2% below the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in Portsmouth City Public Schools?
100% of students in Portsmouth City Public Schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in Portsmouth City Public Schools?
No, Portsmouth City Public Schools does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does Portsmouth City Public Schools serve?
Portsmouth City Public Schools serves grades PK through 12, covering elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the opportunity score for Portsmouth City Public Schools?
The median opportunity score across schools in Portsmouth City Public Schools is 42/100. The national median is 50/100. Opportunity scores reflect long-term economic mobility prospects for children who grow up in these communities.
About This Data

All figures on this page come directly from US federal open datasets — NCES Common Core of Data, EDFacts, and the Opportunity Atlas — and we work hard to keep them accurate and up to date. That said, federal data is published on an annual cycle, so some figures may not yet reflect the very latest school-year changes or local updates. We recommend using this page as a helpful starting point and cross-checking with the school or district directly, or visiting the NCES Common Core of Data and ed.gov for the most authoritative figures before making any important decisions.