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Frank W. Cox High

Q: Is Frank W. Cox High a good school?

Frank W. Cox High ranks 42 nd of 328 Virginia high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

42^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 328 Virginia High Schools

Better than 87% of Virginia high schools

Summary

Frank W. Cox High is a large, high-performing public high school in the Great Neck area of Virginia Beach, VA, serving 1,631 students in grades 9-12 as part of the highly-rated Virginia Beach City Public Schools district. This school stands out for its exceptional performance in social studies, particularly Geography and World History I, where 9th and 10th graders consistently achieve proficiency rates 15-30 percentage points above district and state averages. Cox also excels in advanced science, with 9th graders posting a 96.77% proficiency rate in Biology, and it provides outstanding support for Hispanic students, who rank in the 93rd percentile statewide. However, the school faces a persistent challenge with chronic absenteeism at 12.4%, which is higher than the district average of 10.1% and notably worse than its closest neighbor, First Colonial High, which boasts an impressively low rate of just 5.8%.

When compared to nearby schools, Cox offers a more rigorous academic environment than First Colonial High, outperforming it in nearly every academic metric, including overall state rank (42nd vs. 115th) and core subjects like 9th-grade Algebra I (93.24% vs. 76.85%) and Biology (96.77% vs. 94.26%). While Cox has maintained a consistent 4-star rating for a decade, its state ranking has shown some volatility, dropping to 69th in 2024 before recovering to 42nd in 2025, placing it in a competitive cluster with schools like Salem High and Ocean Lakes High. The school also reveals an interesting grade-level dynamic in writing proficiency, where 11th graders score an impressive 92.05%, but 10th graders lag significantly at 53.85%, suggesting a need for targeted support in that cohort.

While Cox excels overall, its support for specific student subgroups is mixed, with African American students ranking in the 54th percentile and Military Connected students in the 48th percentile, indicating opportunities for targeted interventions. The school's graduation rate is strong at 93.8%, though slightly lower than First Colonial High's 95.9%, and its dropout rate of 4.3% is a bit higher than First Colonial's 3.3%. Overall, Cox provides a top-tier academic experience with standout strengths in social studies and science, but families should consider its attendance challenges and variable subgroup performance when making their decision.

1,631

Students ?

17.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,932

Per pupil spending ?

26.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2425 Shorehaven Dr
Virginia Beach, VA 23454-1749

(757) 648-5250

District: Virginia Beach City Public Schools

Feeder schools for Frank W. Cox High:

Elementary:	John B. Dey Elementary
	Linkhorn Park Elementary
	Trantwood Elementary
Middle:	Great Neck Middle

Racial breakdown:

White:

64.6%

African American:

12.3%

Hispanic:

11.7%

See top rated Virginia high schools

Compare Frank W. Cox High to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 76th percentile in 2015 → 87th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Virginia average (88% vs 78% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 13% of Virginia high schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 11 percentile points since 2015

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school88%

District avg85%

Virginia avg78%

42^nd of 328

Virginia public high schools ?

Top 13%▲ up 11 pts since 2015

From top 24% (2015) to top 13% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 12High Schools in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools

25^th of 129Virginia Beach City Public Schools among Virginia districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	77.1	42 of 328	87.2%	★★★★☆
2024	72.1	69 of 329	79.0%	★★★★☆
2023	75.2	50 of 326	84.7%	★★★★☆
2022	71.1	40 of 325	87.7%	★★★★☆
2021	66.4	48 of 327	85.3%	★★★★☆
2019	70.6	38 of 327	88.4%	★★★★☆
2018	63.5	74 of 326	77.3%	★★★★☆
2017	64.6	71 of 324	78.1%	★★★★☆
2016	62.3	82 of 321	74.5%	★★★★☆
2015	62.9	77 of 322	76.1%	★★★★☆
2014	50.0	146 of 322	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2013	54.4	120 of 321	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2012	56.6	110 of 321	65.7%	★★★☆☆
2011	64.6	73 of 320	77.2%	★★★★☆
2010	64.0	75 of 317	76.3%	★★★★☆
2009	66.1	54 of 313	82.7%	★★★★☆
2008	63.8	69 of 316	78.2%	★★★★☆
2007	73.5	23 of 313	92.7%	★★★★★
2006	64.3	62 of 314	80.3%	★★★★☆
2005	71.7	28 of 308	90.9%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	55.5	112 of 245	54.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	51.8	131 of 249	47.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	56.7	98 of 240	59.2%	★★★☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	70.7	30 of 125	76.0%	★★★★☆
2024	84.0	5 of 118	95.8%	★★★★★
2023	47.1	84 of 120	30.0%	★★☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2024	50.6	130 of 253	48.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	64.0	82 of 249	67.1%	★★★☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2024	96.6	3 of 122	97.5%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	75.8	49 of 321	84.7%	★★★★☆
2024	72.7	64 of 322	80.1%	★★★★☆
2023	67.4	91 of 320	71.6%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	82.8	16 of 236	93.2%	★★★★★
2024	68.7	62 of 233	73.4%	★★★★☆
2023	74.6	41 of 232	82.3%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	72.3	61 of 324	81.2%	★★★★☆
2024	63.1	104 of 320	67.5%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	78.7	34 of 322	89.4%	★★★★☆
2024	71.1	76 of 322	76.4%	★★★★☆
2023	79.2	32 of 321	90.0%	★★★★★

Military Connected

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	55.7	51 of 98	48.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	48.4	53 of 92	42.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	64.8	26 of 92	71.7%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	72.0	45 of 198	77.3%	★★★★☆
2024	56.7	88 of 198	55.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	58.9	80 of 193	58.5%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	75.7	35 of 313	88.8%	★★★★☆
2024	69.0	69 of 314	78.0%	★★★★☆
2023	69.2	62 of 315	80.3%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

English Language Learner (2024)98th percentile+19 vs school

Hispanic (2025)93rd percentile+6 vs school

Male (2025)89th percentile~ school

White (2025)89th percentile~ school

Female (2025)85th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)81st percentile-6 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)77th percentile-10 vs school

Asian (2025)76th percentile-11 vs school

African American (2025)54th percentile-33 vs school

Disabled (2024)49th percentile-30 vs school

Military Connected (2025)48th percentile-39 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2024-2025) ?

Geography97%+30 vs state

Algebra II97%+3 vs state

English Reading94%+9 vs state

Algebra I92%+13 vs state

Geometry90%+5 vs state

Writing89%+13 vs state

Biology89%+11 vs state

World History I74%+9 vs state

Chemistry50%+16 vs state

VA and US History41%+5 vs state

3.0

4 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★2

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★2

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What people are saying

by a student
Friday, January 24, 2020

If you’re not wealthy, white, or abled you’re gonna have a hell of a time. As a kid with physical disabilities, it’s an obvious difference. The students themselves weren’t so bad with me- it was the staff. Of course I missed a lot of school. My days are filled with doctors appointments and treatments several times a month. My teachers made it a point to bully and call me out. Because I move slower I was often late to class, but I had an extra five minutes as accommodation. My teachers would stand in the hall until I was the only straggler (so they clearly saw me) and would proceed to go inside and lock the door so I would have to knock and make a scene. It was humiliating. The nurses regularly attempted to give me the wrong medication belonging to other students. What if I were mentally disabled? What if i didn’t know any better than to check? This could be life threatening to some students. The singular elevator was dangerous and often closed without warning. Again, I’d be late to class, pathetically trying to get my walker up the stairs. The elevator nearly crashed once. Nothing was done despite multiple complaints over years from several people. I was told to do other work, don’t worry about this, only to receive a 0 for following instructions. These are only a few things. OH! Also loved having our lovely security guard YELL at me DAILY and stop me in the halls for being late! Leave earlier he says! I already did! If I left earlier I would miss class time! Maybe if you didn’t stop me everyday I might be on time! Some students were rewarded for calling me slurs a few times... so yeah! Lovely place :) Close Quote

by a student
Friday, April 21, 2017

This school is by far the worst school I have ever attended. The school is nothing but a joke to students that have parents that are not upper class. If the student has parents that are upper class but the student has a mental disorder you will be treated like you have parents that are lower or middle class. Students that are middle class or lower class or are part of the minority LGBT whatever it is, this school will find the smallest flaws in you and push you their. They will not take care of bullies, harassment, or anything that is happening to their middle or lower class students. This school uses Kempsville psych unit as a disciplinary tool. When such a place is used a discipline the student comes in contact with mentally unstable patients and patients that could harm the student. This school does not desreve any funding to be honest. They are not a school they are more of a playground and hangout place for the upper class students to hang out and bully the middle and lower class students. This school should be re tested for the place this schools stands in Virginia Beach. Green Run would most likely rank higher than this school and if you do not know what Green Run is, it is a high school that is known for the gangs and drug use in the school. Sad right. But students at Cox High school smoke weed in the schools restrooms. The smell of the burning weed can not lie or be covered easily. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, October 6, 2016

Keep in mind that many of the top students in Virginia Beach go to other high schools to enroll in the various Academy Courses offered. Cox High School does not have those programs. So they do the best with the students they have. Close Quote

Schools Near Frank W. Cox High

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				SOL Writing (2025)			SOL Geometry (2025)		SOL Algebra I (2025)				SOL Algebra II (2025)			SOL Chemistry (2025)	SOL Biology (2025)				SOL Earth Science (2025)			SOL English Reading (2025)			SOL Geography (2025)		SOL VA and US History (2025)				SOL World History I (2025)			SOL World History II (2025)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	SOL Writing 10th Grade	SOL Writing 11th Grade	SOL Writing 12th Grade	SOL Geometry 9th Grade	SOL Geometry 10th Grade	SOL Algebra I 9th Grade	SOL Algebra I 10th Grade	SOL Algebra I 11th Grade	SOL Algebra I 12th Grade	SOL Algebra II 9th Grade	SOL Algebra II 10th Grade	SOL Algebra II 11th Grade	SOL Chemistry 11th Grade	SOL Biology 9th Grade	SOL Biology 10th Grade	SOL Biology 11th Grade	SOL Biology 12th Grade	SOL Earth Science 10th Grade	SOL Earth Science 11th Grade	SOL Earth Science 12th Grade	SOL English Reading 10th Grade	SOL English Reading 11th Grade	SOL English Reading 12th Grade	SOL Geography 9th Grade	SOL Geography 10th Grade	SOL VA and US History 9th Grade	SOL VA and US History 10th Grade	SOL VA and US History 11th Grade	SOL VA and US History 12th Grade	SOL World History I 9th Grade	SOL World History I 10th Grade	SOL World History I 11th Grade	SOL World History II 10th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Frank W. Cox High	Public	9-12	2425 Shorehaven Dr	Virginia Beach	23454	Virginia Beach city	Virginia Beach City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 648-5250	1,631	91	17.9	26.2%	1,053 (64.6%)	201 (12.3%)	191 (11.7%)	49 (3.0%)	7 (0.4%)	7 (0.4%)	123 (7.5%)	77.1	42^nd of 328 public high schools	87.2%		72.1	69^th of 329 public high schools	79.0%	27	53.9	92.1	65.2	90.3		93.2	76.9			96.8			50.0	96.8	80.3	90.9	76.2				81.8	95.8	76.9	99.0	81.8			40.5		73.9	79.2			$13,932	$864	$13,068
First Colonial High	Public, Magnet	9-12	1272 Mill Dam Rd	Virginia Beach	23454	Virginia Beach city	Virginia Beach City Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(757) 648-5300	1,727	94	18.2	31.0%	949 (55.0%)	297 (17.2%)	287 (16.6%)	47 (2.7%)	6 (0.3%)	4 (0.2%)	137 (7.9%)	65.2	115^th of 328 public high schools	64.9%		67	100^th of 329 public high schools	69.6%	15		85.6	70.0	88.6	30.4	76.9	52.4			95.5		70.0		94.3	73.1	61.9						92.1	73.7	95.7	72.7					86.1			57.1	$13,450	$943	$12,507
Princess Anne High	Public	9-12	4400 Virginia Beach Blvd	Virginia Beach	23462	Virginia Beach city	Virginia Beach City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 648-5600	1,621	113	14.3	32.3%	762 (47.0%)	330 (20.4%)	191 (11.8%)	148 (9.1%)	6 (0.4%)	12 (0.7%)	172 (10.6%)	69.3	94^th of 328 public high schools	71.3%		69.3	91^st of 329 public high schools	72.3%	3	96.3	79.0	78.3	97.9		91.1	82.6		84.6	98.9	90.0			95.8	80.6	53.9	89.5				97.3	87.0	80.8	77.3	61.1	99.1	53.9	35.2	63.6	52.4	52.6		61.5	$15,733	$2,486	$13,246
Bayside High	Public, Magnet	9-12	4960 Haygood Rd	Virginia Beach	23455	Virginia Beach city	Virginia Beach City Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(757) 648-5200	1,984	117	16.9	82.7%	469 (23.6%)	895 (45.1%)	301 (15.2%)	119 (6.0%)	4 (0.2%)	3 (0.2%)	193 (9.7%)	62	130^th of 328 public high schools	60.4%		53.7	180^th of 329 public high schools	45.3%	50	58.1	74.7	64.3	89.2		88.2	76.5	86.7		93.9				95.0	82.2	82.6	86.7				71.0	88.1	64.3	90.5										$12,733	$860	$11,872
Green Run Collegiate	Public, Charter	9-12	1700 Dahlia Drive	Virginia Beach	23453	Virginia Beach city	Virginia Beach City Public Schools	Yes	No	No	No	(757) 263-1264	390	31	12.4	85.9%	101 (25.9%)	151 (38.7%)	58 (14.9%)	18 (4.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	61 (15.6%)	75.3	58^th of 328 public high schools	82.3%		70.7	81^st of 329 public high schools	75.4%	23	95.7	50.0				89.6				97.3				85.7								100.0												$15,769	$742	$15,027
Green Run High	Public	9-12	1700 Dahlia Dr	Virginia Beach	23456	Virginia Beach city	Virginia Beach City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 648-5350	1,465	93	15.7	81.8%	332 (22.7%)	620 (42.3%)	248 (16.9%)	74 (5.1%)	6 (0.4%)	6 (0.4%)	179 (12.2%)	45.5	225^th of 328 public high schools	31.4%		48.8	204^th of 329 public high schools	38.0%	21		77.4	69.7	87.7		82.8	96.8	77.8	92.9	100.0		83.3		74.0	67.5	44.1	93.3				75.0	89.7	80.7	66.0	46.2			36.4						$14,828	$1,130	$13,698
Kempsville High	Public	9-12	5194 Chief Trail	Virginia Beach	23464	Virginia Beach city	Virginia Beach City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 648-5450	2,046	117	17.4	41.0%	916 (44.8%)	534 (26.1%)	310 (15.2%)	90 (4.4%)	7 (0.3%)	11 (0.5%)	178 (8.7%)	69.3	93^rd of 328 public high schools	71.6%		64.1	125^th of 329 public high schools	62.0%	32	63.2	83.6	85.7	94.4	54.6	87.3	77.8	83.3		98.7				97.1	77.1	64.9	83.9			60.0	94.1	91.3	80.4	89.5				44.1					16.7	$12,659	$995	$11,664
Landstown High	Public, Magnet	9-12	2001 Concert Dr.	Virginia Beach	23456	Virginia Beach city	Virginia Beach City Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(757) 648-5500	2,152	126	17.0	37.6%	743 (34.5%)	520 (24.2%)	351 (16.3%)	251 (11.7%)	4 (0.2%)	15 (0.7%)	268 (12.5%)	69.1	98^th of 328 public high schools	70.1%		67.9	99^th of 329 public high schools	69.9%	1	52.2	84.3	63.0	94.8		82.8	62.5			100.0				91.2	73.6	66.7	69.2				83.3	93.0	66.7	85.9	68.8					85.8	81.8	76.9	26.9	$13,190	$961	$12,228
Lake Taylor High	Public	9-12	1384 Kempsville Rd	Norfolk	23502	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 892-3200	1,107	75	14.7	93.0%	116 (10.5%)	733 (66.2%)	180 (16.3%)	31 (2.8%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (4.1%)	30.4	285^th of 328 public high schools	13.1%		18.6	318^th of 329 public high schools	3.3%	33	51.9	63.6	50.0	43.5		76.0	75.0	89.5	100.0	57.1				72.1	65.3	54.8	95.8	34.5	50.0		72.6	76.1	83.3	48.4			33.3	42.9	78.3	35.9	39.7			$7,779	$119	$7,660
Salem High	Public	9-12	1993 Sun Devil Dr	Virginia Beach	22464	Virginia Beach city	Virginia Beach City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 648-5650	1,690	102	16.5	34.7%	629 (37.2%)	425 (25.1%)	257 (15.2%)	159 (9.4%)	2 (0.1%)	11 (0.7%)	207 (12.2%)	76.3	47^th of 328 public high schools	85.7%		77.7	35^th of 329 public high schools	89.4%	12		92.4	66.7	94.1		93.9	72.7	81.8		100.0				89.4	78.4	82.1			50.0		70.0	94.9	77.8	94.8	48.0			47.1		79.5	52.4			$13,585	$852	$12,733

Frequently Asked Questions about Frank W. Cox High

What schools feed into Frank W. Cox High?

Frank W. Cox High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : John B. Dey Elementary
Elementary : Linkhorn Park Elementary
Elementary : Trantwood Elementary
Middle : Great Neck Middle

What is the racial makeup of Frank W. Cox High?

Students at Frank W. Cox High are 65% White, 12% African American, 12% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

Is Frank W. Cox High a good school?

Frank W. Cox High ranks 42^nd of 328 Virginia high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Frank W. Cox High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,631 students attended Frank W. Cox High.

What district is Frank W. Cox High in?

Virginia Beach City Public Schools

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Virginia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.