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Blair Middle

Public, Magnet Grades 6-8

354^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 416 Virginia Middle Schools

Better than 15% of Virginia middle schools

Summary

Blair Middle in Norfolk, VA serves 1,141 students in grades 6–8 and is part of Norfolk City Public Schools, an urban district ranking in the bottom 15% of Virginia districts. The school's own 2025–2026 ranking places it at the 15th percentile statewide (354th out of 416 Virginia middle schools), and it has remained consistently in the bottom 8–18% over the past decade, earning a 1-star rating.

The most striking pattern at Blair Middle is the split between advanced courses and standard grade-level courses. Students in accelerated classes perform exceptionally well: 7th-grade Algebra I proficiency is 99.15%, 8th-grade Algebra I is 95.65%, and 7th-grade Civics & Economics is 95.15% — all above state averages. However, students in on-grade-level courses are struggling seriously. Only 9.55% of 8th graders in standard math scored proficient, compared to the state average of 46.86%, and 8th-grade science proficiency is just 18.3%. Math proficiency also declines sharply as students advance, falling from 35.96% proficient in 6th grade to 9.55% by 8th grade. Reading is a relative bright spot, with proficiency in the 55–62% range across grades, though still below state levels.

Chronic absenteeism at Blair Middle is actually better than the state average — 13.1% compared to 14.8% statewide — and much lower than nearby schools like Ruffner School (32.9%) and Azalea Gardens Middle (24.3%). The school spends $8,978 per student, which is lower than several peer schools, including Cradock Middle ($13,319) and Ruffner School ($12,376). Perhaps the most useful comparison is Academy for Discovery at Lakewood, just two miles away in the same district, which serves an even higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students yet ranks at the 68th percentile. Blair's greatest challenges lie in serving its disabled students (4th percentile statewide) and low-income students (9th percentile), suggesting that course access and instructional alignment are the most urgent areas for improvement.

1,141

Students ?

14.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,342

Per pupil spending ?

93.3%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

730 Spotswood Ave
Norfolk, VA 23517

(757) 628-2400

District: Norfolk City Public Schools

Students who attend Blair Middle usually attend:

High:

Matthew Fontaine Maury High

Feeder schools for Blair Middle:

Elementary:	Camp Allen Elementary
	Granby Elementary
	James Monroe Elementary
	Larchmont Elementary
	More...
	Sewells Point Elementary
	St. Helena Elementary
	Walter Herron Taylor Elementary

Racial breakdown:

African American:

59.2%

White:

21.0%

Hispanic:

10.3%

See top rated Virginia middle schools

Compare Blair Middle to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 11th percentile in 2016 → 15th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Virginia average (54% vs 70% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (15th percentile)

!Science scores 46 pts below the Virginia average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school54%

District avg51%

Virginia avg70%

354^th of 416

Virginia public middle schools ?

Bottom 15%▲ up 4 pts since 2016

From bottom 11% (2016) to bottom 15% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 6Middle Schools in the Norfolk City Public Schools

112^th of 131Norfolk 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
2026	24.0	354 of 416	14.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	20.2	368 of 419	12.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	23.2	344 of 417	17.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	20.5	364 of 422	13.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	14.9	373 of 415	10.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	16.0	379 of 419	9.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	14.5	390 of 424	8.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	20.0	367 of 413	11.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	21.9	360 of 415	13.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	19.4	366 of 409	10.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	24.4	348 of 412	15.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	27.7	320 of 416	23.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	24.2	351 of 416	15.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	18.2	384 of 413	7.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	15.2	393 of 413	4.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2010	14.1	394 of 408	3.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	18.2	363 of 390	6.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2008	20.4	371 of 391	5.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2007	36.3	304 of 387	21.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	43.4	240 of 383	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2005	54.2	186 of 340	45.3%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	20.5	259 of 297	12.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	18.7	261 of 297	12.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	22.0	250 of 299	16.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	21.7	249 of 298	16.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	11.2	281 of 292	3.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	16.7	243 of 281	13.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	21.2	230 of 278	17.3%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	29.4	325 of 409	20.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	23.5	345 of 403	14.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	23.2	340 of 407	16.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	25.4	334 of 411	18.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	54.6	129 of 283	54.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	38.8	183 of 279	34.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	27.4	218 of 272	19.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	38.7	171 of 275	37.8%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	18.0	363 of 401	9.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	17.6	357 of 403	11.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	20.1	348 of 402	13.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	19.1	366 of 410	10.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	20.0	352 of 404	12.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	23.2	341 of 407	16.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	19.4	354 of 409	13.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Military Connected

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	30.3	106 of 125	15.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	27.9	115 of 130	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	24.9	110 of 123	10.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	24.0	101 of 114	11.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	28.8	198 of 249	20.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	37.8	160 of 244	34.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	35.1	162 of 237	31.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	28.2	179 of 231	22.5%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	56.2	162 of 400	59.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	59.3	155 of 400	61.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	58.5	162 of 396	59.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	56.1	181 of 402	55.0%	★★★☆☆

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)

White (2026)60th percentile+45 vs school

Hispanic (2026)54th percentile+40 vs school

Female (2026)21st percentile+6 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)20th percentile+6 vs school

Military Connected (2026)15th percentile~ school

African American (2026)13th percentile~ school

Male (2026)11th percentile-4 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)9th percentile-5 vs school

Disabled (2026)4th percentile-11 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

Algebra I98%+3 vs state

Geometry94%-4 vs state

Earth Science92%~ state avg

Geography83%+15 vs state

Civics and Economics60%-14 vs state

English Reading60%-13 vs state

Mathematics23%-32 vs state

Science18%-46 vs state

★

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Schools Near Blair Middle

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				SOL Geometry (2026)		SOL Algebra I (2026)			SOL Mathematics (2026)						SOL Science (2026)		SOL Earth Science (2026)		SOL English Reading (2026)						SOL Geography (2026)	SOL Civics and Economics (2026)			SOL VA Studies (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
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/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	SOL Geometry 6th Grade	SOL Geometry 8th Grade	SOL Algebra I 6th Grade	SOL Algebra I 7th Grade	SOL Algebra I 8th Grade	SOL Mathematics 3rd Grade	SOL Mathematics 4th Grade	SOL Mathematics 5th Grade	SOL Mathematics 6th Grade	SOL Mathematics 7th Grade	SOL Mathematics 8th Grade	SOL Science 5th Grade	SOL Science 8th Grade	SOL Earth Science 7th Grade	SOL Earth Science 8th Grade	SOL English Reading 3rd Grade	SOL English Reading 4th Grade	SOL English Reading 5th Grade	SOL English Reading 6th Grade	SOL English Reading 7th Grade	SOL English Reading 8th Grade	SOL Geography 8th Grade	SOL Civics and Economics 6th Grade	SOL Civics and Economics 7th Grade	SOL Civics and Economics 8th Grade	SOL VA Studies 4th Grade	SOL VA Studies 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Blair Middle	Public, Magnet	6-8	730 Spotswood Ave	Norfolk	23517	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(757) 628-2400	1,141	77	14.8	93.3%	240 (21.0%)	676 (59.2%)	117 (10.3%)	22 (1.9%)	4 (0.4%)	4 (0.4%)	78 (6.8%)	24	354^th of 416 public middle schools	14.9%		20.2	368^th of 419 public middle schools	12.2%	14	≥ 50%	93.5	≥ 50%	99.2	95.7				36.0	19.9	9.6		18.3	95.1	87.3				62.3	61.6	54.8	83.1		95.2	32.1			$11,342	$361	$10,981
Ruffner School	Public	3-8	610 May Ave.	Norfolk	23504	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 628-2466	576	47	12.2	93.4%	9 (1.6%)	531 (92.2%)	17 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.5%)	2 (0.3%)	14 (2.4%)	3	410^th of 416 public middle schools	1.4%		2.6	413^th of 419 public middle schools	1.4%	3		397.0		≥ 50%	100.0	17.1	39.1	4.1	19.5	11.9	16.6	4.1	17.0		≥ 50%	26.5	56.5	14.3	33.3	36.9	26.3	50.0		65.5	16.7	41.3	14.3	$16,746	$1,291	$15,455
Academy For Discovery At Lakewood	Public	3-8	1701 Alsace Ave	Norfolk	23509	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 628-2477	739	50	14.7	—	365 (49.4%)	223 (30.2%)	63 (8.5%)	19 (2.6%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.4%)	65 (8.8%)	66.2	133^rd of 416 public middle schools	68.0%		78.6	55^th of 419 public middle schools	86.9%	78		100.0		100.0	88.9	87.7	94.0	85.7	58.4		375.0	81.0			86.1	79.0	92.8	89.3	78.5	81.9	89.8	88.3		88.3		92.8	95.2	$11,865	$181	$11,684
Norview Middle	Public	6-8	6325 Sewells Point Rd	Norfolk	23513	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 852-4600	1,196	81	14.7	88.9%	105 (8.8%)	789 (66.0%)	212 (17.7%)	19 (1.6%)	3 (0.3%)	3 (0.3%)	65 (5.4%)	7.4	399^th of 416 public middle schools	4.1%		8.7	400^th of 419 public middle schools	4.5%	1		88.9		68.9	78.3				10.6	22.0	16.6		23.3	470.0	86.0				41.1	44.4	48.4	78.7		77.1	44.6			$10,929	$747	$10,183
Cradock Middle	Public	7-8	21 Alden Ave	Portsmouth	23702	Portsmouth city	Portsmouth City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 393-8788	516	38	13.5	—	36 (7.0%)	395 (76.6%)	36 (7.0%)	4 (0.8%)	4 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (7.9%)	12.1	390^th of 416 public middle schools	6.3%		11.5	389^th of 419 public middle schools	7.2%	1		87.5		100.0	98.5					25.0	31.4		45.1							46.9	48.7				48.2			$14,627	$2,280	$12,347
Oscar Smith Middle	Public	6-8	2500 Rodgers St	Chesapeake	23324	Chesapeake city	Chesapeake City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(757) 494-7590	967	94	10.2	71.9%	113 (11.7%)	621 (64.2%)	163 (16.9%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	68 (7.0%)	23.5	358^th of 416 public middle schools	13.9%		32.3	314^th of 419 public middle schools	25.1%	44		≥ 50%		100.0	98.5				54.5	47.7	55.8		41.3						56.1	60.2	61.0		35.9					$13,563	$1,075	$12,488
Churchland Middle	Public	7-8	4051 River Shore Rd	Portsmouth	23703	Portsmouth city	Portsmouth City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 686-2512	798	54	14.7	—	122 (15.3%)	555 (69.5%)	56 (7.0%)	3 (0.4%)	10 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	52 (6.5%)	24.6	351^st of 416 public middle schools	15.6%		21	365^th of 419 public middle schools	12.9%	14		97.7		96.3	91.3					23.9	23.8		51.2							61.2	63.0				66.5			$12,064	$1,834	$10,230
Northside Middle	Public	6-8	8720 Granby St	Norfolk	23503	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 531-3150	732	54	13.5	89.8%	168 (23.0%)	307 (41.9%)	181 (24.7%)	20 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (0.8%)	50 (6.8%)	13.4	384^th of 416 public middle schools	7.7%		25.1	348^th of 419 public middle schools	16.9%	36		88.2		93.3	78.0				35.8	30.8	24.2		42.1	478.0	100.0				51.6	55.9	54.1	97.6		100.0	34.2			$13,114	$665	$12,449
Azalea Gardens Middle	Public	6-8	7721 Azalea Garden Rd	Norfolk	23518	Norfolk city	Norfolk City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 531-3000	792	52	15.2	87.8%	196 (24.7%)	321 (40.5%)	176 (22.2%)	20 (2.5%)	5 (0.6%)	4 (0.5%)	70 (8.8%)	28.2	332^nd of 416 public middle schools	20.2%		27.5	335^th of 419 public middle schools	20.0%	3		75.0		100.0	97.9				44.4	22.2	56.0		38.0	473.0	96.6				61.4	53.4	65.8	90.7		86.0	50.3			$11,351	$560	$10,792
Indian River Middle	Public	6-8	2300 Old Greenbrier Rd	Chesapeake	23325	Chesapeake city	Chesapeake City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 578-7030	743	70	10.5	72.1%	177 (23.8%)	388 (52.2%)	87 (11.7%)	9 (1.2%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	79 (10.6%)	28	333^rd of 416 public middle schools	20.0%		26.8	341^st of 419 public middle schools	18.6%	8		100.0		90.9	96.6				37.2	37.7	40.6		53.4		≥ 50%				68.6	63.4	69.5		47.1					$13,316	$283	$13,033

Frequently Asked Questions about Blair Middle

Is Blair Middle a good school?

Blair Middle ranks in the bottom 14.9% of Virginia middle schools.

How many students attend Blair Middle?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,141 students attended Blair Middle.

What district is Blair Middle in?

Norfolk City Public Schools

What is the racial makeup of Blair Middle?

Students at Blair Middle are 59% African American, 21% White, 10% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

What high school do graduates of Blair Middle attend?

Students who attend Blair Middle usually go on to attend Matthew Fontaine Maury High

Rate Blair Middle!

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Latest Virginia data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataOct 12, 2026

2025–26 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesOct 12, 2026

2025–26 SOL test scoresAug 25, 2026

2021–22 school spending dataFeb 16, 2026

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.