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Best Public Schools in Hampton, VA


At a glance
29
Schools
19,246
Students
Top rankedFrancis W. Jones Magnet Middle45th of 416 Virginia middle schools
Biggest riser
Hunter B. Andrews up 248 spots statewide this year
Smallest classes
George P. Phenix Elementary 9.5 students per teacher
SchoolDigger ratings
4★
3★
2★
1★
Summary:

Hampton, Virginia is served by Hampton City Public Schools, which operates 29 public schools—20 elementary schools (including two PK-8 schools), 5 middle schools, and 4 high schools—enrolling approximately 19,246 students in a community where nearly every school serves a majority of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, with rates ranging from 72.4% to 95.6%. Despite this high-poverty context, the district ranks 50th out of 131 districts in Virginia (62nd percentile, 3 stars) and posts some remarkable outcomes.

A cluster of standout schools proves that high achievement is possible regardless of socioeconomic background. Mary W. Jackson Elementary ranks in the 79th percentile with a 95.6% FRPL rate, posting exceptional 5th grade scores in reading (97.1%), science (94.1%), and math (91.2%). Francis W. Jones Magnet Middle is the city's top middle school, ranking in the 89th percentile with 94.3% FRPL, including 91.1% reading proficiency and near-perfect Algebra I and Geometry scores. Samuel P. Langley Elementary (81st percentile) and Armstrong Elementary (82nd percentile) also excel across multiple subjects. Among high schools, Phoebus High leads the city, ranking 100th of 331 schools with a 100% graduation rate and zero dropouts, while Thomas Eaton Middle is the biggest improver, jumping from 217th to 91st while posting the city's lowest chronic absenteeism at 3.6%.

Districtwide, the most impressive metrics are graduation and attendance: all four high schools graduate 98.4%–100% of students compared to the state rate of 92.3%, and every school's chronic absenteeism falls between 3.5% and 10.6%—well below the state's 14.8%. The most urgent challenge is on-grade 7th grade math, where the district average of 41.6% trails the state's 51.1%, even though advanced students shine in Algebra I (96%–100%) and Geometry. Spending does not predict performance—Mary T. Christian Elementary spends the most at $13,470 per student but ranks near the bottom, while George P. Phenix Elementary spends the least at $7,917 and ranks in the 67th percentile. Overall, Hampton's schools demonstrate that strong instruction and targeted support can overcome economic disadvantages.

Ranking:
Map legend
E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private




Cities Near Hampton

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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.

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