Summary:
New Kent High is the only high school in New Kent County Public Schools, serving grades 9 through 12 in New Kent, Virginia, with an enrollment of 1,073 students. This single high school carries the entire district's high school reputation, and it is on a clear upward trajectory. The school improved its state ranking from 60th in 2023–2024 to 37th in 2024–2025 and now sits at 26th in 2025–2026, placing it in the top 8% of Virginia high schools with a 5-star rating. The district itself ranks 9th out of 131 school districts in Virginia.
Academically, New Kent High demonstrates standout strengths in literacy. Twelfth-grade writing proficiency reached 100% in 2025–2026 compared to the state average of 65%, and 11th grade reading proficiency hit 95.9% versus 88.1% statewide. The school also exceeds state averages in graduation rate (94.6% vs. 92.3%) and has a lower dropout rate (3.9% vs. 5.0%). Upper-grade biology performance is impressive, with 10th graders achieving 90.9% proficiency compared to 68.9% statewide. Only 24.79% of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch, and per-pupil spending is $8,342, providing context for the school's above-average outcomes.
Areas for attention include 9th grade biology, where proficiency is 62.5% versus the state's 86.1%, and VA & US History, where only 19.1% of 11th graders were proficient compared to 35.2% statewide. Chronic absenteeism at 13.3% is below the state average of 14.8% but above the district-wide rate of 9.5%, suggesting the high school faces a greater attendance challenge than the district's elementary and middle schools. Overall, New Kent High is a high-performing, improving school with strong graduation metrics and standout literacy and upper-level science results, making it a solid choice for families seeking a well-rounded high school education in this area.
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