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William E. Waters Middle

Public Grades 7-8

385^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 416 Virginia Middle Schools

Better than 7% of Virginia middle schools

Summary

William E. Waters Middle is a 7–8 grade school in Portsmouth, VA, serving 549 students in Portsmouth City Public Schools, a district ranked 114th out of 131 in Virginia. The school itself sits in the 7th percentile statewide, and nearly all students (98.9%) qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting an extremely high-poverty population.

Academically, the school shows a stark split: students in accelerated Algebra I classes score very well (100% of 7th graders and 91.1% of 8th graders proficient), but only about 29% of students in standard grade-level math are proficient. Reading, science, and civics scores are all roughly 18–23 points below state averages. Compared to nearby schools, Waters ranks below Churchland Middle (16th percentile) and just above Cradock Middle (6th percentile), but far below Chesapeake schools like Jolliff Middle (75th percentile) and Western Branch Middle (74th percentile). Interestingly, Waters actually beats Churchland in grade-level math, showing a relative strength in that area.

The most encouraging trend is chronic absenteeism, which dropped from 34.7% in 2022–2023 to 18.6% in 2024–2025, though still above the state rate of 14.8% and well above Jolliff’s 8.0%. The school spends about $12,280 per student—more than many better-performing schools—and has a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1, suggesting resources alone are not the issue. Subgroup data shows concerning drops for multiracial and military-connected students, as well as very low male student performance. While the advanced math success is a bright spot, it benefits only a small group. The overall picture is of a school with clear challenges but also real signs of momentum, particularly around attendance.

549

Students ?

11.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,280

Per pupil spending ?

98.9%

Free/discounted lunch ?

600 Roosevelt Blvd
Portsmouth, VA 23701-4021

(757) 558-2813

District: Portsmouth City Public Schools

Students who attend William E. Waters Middle usually attend:

High:

Manor High

Feeder schools for William E. Waters Middle:

Elementary:	Hodges Manor Elementary
	Lakeview Elementary
	Simonsdale Elementary
	Westhaven Elementary

Racial breakdown:

African American:

65.2%

White:

20.6%

Hispanic:

7.1%

See top rated Virginia middle schools

Compare William E. Waters Middle to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 7th percentile in 2016 → 7th in 2026

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 12 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Virginia average (49% vs 70% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (7th percentile)

!Science scores 23 pts below the Virginia average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school49%

District avg52%

Virginia avg70%

385^th of 416

Virginia public middle schools ?

Bottom 7%▲ up 1 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 3Middle Schools in the Portsmouth City Public Schools

114^th of 131Portsmouth 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	13.0	385 of 416	7.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	20.6	367 of 419	12.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	21.6	351 of 417	15.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	17.1	376 of 422	10.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	17.1	365 of 415	12.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	46.7	211 of 419	49.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	24.4	356 of 424	16.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	10.0	398 of 413	3.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	9.0	393 of 415	5.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	10.6	382 of 409	6.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	18.6	362 of 412	12.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	33.2	295 of 416	29.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	27.1	334 of 416	19.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	24.2	363 of 413	12.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	35.2	315 of 413	23.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	22.9	368 of 408	9.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	34.2	296 of 390	24.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	39.0	271 of 391	30.7%	★★☆☆☆
2007	39.0	283 of 387	26.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	23.5	351 of 383	8.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2005	15.0	331 of 340	2.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	23.3	250 of 297	15.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	31.6	227 of 297	23.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	30.1	223 of 299	25.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	29.0	228 of 298	23.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	26.8	215 of 292	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	16.6	245 of 281	12.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	22.0	226 of 278	18.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	18.6	364 of 409	11.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	18.7	359 of 403	10.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	19.3	355 of 407	12.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	17.6	365 of 411	11.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	40.5	174 of 279	37.6%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	23.5	336 of 403	16.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	29.2	306 of 402	23.9%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	10.1	391 of 410	4.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	19.7	353 of 404	12.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	22.2	346 of 407	15.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	16.3	364 of 409	11.0%	★☆☆☆☆

Military Connected

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	12.2	123 of 125	1.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	42.9	87 of 130	33.1%	★★☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	7.2	246 of 249	1.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	50.4	117 of 237	50.6%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	14.9	377 of 400	5.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	24.7	331 of 400	17.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	22.7	345 of 396	12.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	10.9	386 of 402	4.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

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)

Hispanic (2025)38th percentile+25 vs school

Disabled (2026)26th percentile+19 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)17th percentile+4 vs school

African American (2026)16th percentile+8 vs school

Female (2026)11th percentile+4 vs school

White (2026)6th percentile~ school

Male (2026)5th percentile-3 vs school

Military Connected (2026)2nd percentile-6 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)1st percentile-6 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

Algebra I94%~ state avg

Geometry81%-16 vs state

Civics and Economics57%-18 vs state

English Reading54%-19 vs state

Science41%-23 vs state

Mathematics29%-20 vs state

★

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Schools Near William E. Waters 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 English Reading (2026)						SOL Geography (2026)	SOL Civics and Economics (2026)			SOL VA Studies (2026)		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 (2025)	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 8th 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 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
William E. Waters Middle	Public	7-8	600 Roosevelt Blvd	Portsmouth	23701	Portsmouth city	Portsmouth City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 558-2813	549	46	11.9	98.9%	113 (20.6%)	358 (65.2%)	39 (7.1%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	34 (6.2%)	13	385^th of 416 public middle schools	7.5%		20.6	367^th of 419 public middle schools	12.4%	18	80.8	100.0	91.1					29.5	28.1		41.4					54.2	53.7				56.6			$12,280	$2,357	$9,923
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	103.5%	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			$13,319	$3,103	$10,216
Deep Creek Middle	Public	6-8	1955 Deal Dr	Chesapeake	23323	Chesapeake city	Chesapeake City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 558-5321	764	66	11.6	72.8%	272 (35.6%)	260 (34.0%)	150 (19.6%)	8 (1.0%)	5 (0.7%)	1 (0.1%)	68 (8.9%)	54.9	206^th of 416 public middle schools	50.5%		51.1	216^th of 419 public middle schools	48.4%	10	100.0	95.7	93.1				55.9	65.4	47.0		69.8				77.8	76.9	76.1		61.9					$10,436	$374	$10,062
Jolliff Middle	Public	6-8	1021 Jolliff Rd.	Chesapeake	23321	Chesapeake city	Chesapeake City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 465-5246	753	65	11.5	73.8%	322 (42.8%)	256 (34.0%)	88 (11.7%)	19 (2.5%)	3 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	64 (8.5%)	70	104^th of 416 public middle schools	75.0%		71.9	106^th of 419 public middle schools	74.7%	2	100.0	100.0	100.0				71.3	54.3	74.7		73.5				77.8	79.0	79.7		79.4					$12,110	$781	$11,329
Hugo A. Owens Middle	Public	6-8	1997 Horseback Run	Chesapeake	23323	Chesapeake city	Chesapeake City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 558-5382	1,286	99	13.0	25.2%	612 (47.6%)	318 (24.7%)	181 (14.1%)	43 (3.3%)	3 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	127 (9.9%)	77.3	59^th of 416 public middle schools	85.8%		74.5	91^st of 419 public middle schools	78.3%	32	100.0	100.0	99.1				72.4	65.1	66.9		78.2				82.5	81.5	86.0		81.2					$8,909	$443	$8,467
Crestwood Middle	Public	6-8	1420 Great Bridge Blvd	Chesapeake	23320	Chesapeake city	Chesapeake City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 494-7560	557	53	10.5	73.1%	112 (20.1%)	260 (46.7%)	114 (20.5%)	14 (2.5%)	4 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (9.5%)	45.9	255^th of 416 public middle schools	38.7%		31	319^th of 419 public middle schools	23.9%	64	100.0		97.6				59.5	57.4	47.9		58.3				73.8	66.7	72.7		65.0					$11,726	$809	$10,916
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		100.0	98.5				54.5	47.7	55.8		41.3				56.1	60.2	61.0		35.9					$11,774	$1,477	$10,297
Western Branch Middle	Public	6-8	4201 Hawksley Dr	Chesapeake	23321	Chesapeake city	Chesapeake City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 638-7920	855	68	12.5	73.3%	321 (37.5%)	319 (37.3%)	84 (9.8%)	36 (4.2%)	1 (0.1%)	4 (0.5%)	90 (10.5%)	69.1	109^th of 416 public middle schools	73.8%		63.9	150^th of 419 public middle schools	64.2%	41	100.0	100.0	100.0				68.5	65.4	66.0		77.9				79.4	82.5	77.6		67.5					$10,343	$419	$9,925
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			100.0	17.1	39.1	4.1	19.5	11.9	16.6	4.1	17.0	26.5	56.5	14.3	33.3	36.9	26.3	50.0		65.5	16.7	41.3	14.3	$12,376	$1,572	$10,804
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	100.5%	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			$10,307	$1,935	$8,372

Frequently Asked Questions about William E. Waters Middle

What is the racial makeup of William E. Waters Middle?

Students at William E. Waters Middle are 65% African American, 21% White, 7% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races.

How many students attend William E. Waters Middle?

In the 2024-25 school year, 549 students attended William E. Waters Middle.

What district is William E. Waters Middle in?

Portsmouth City Public Schools

What high school do graduates of William E. Waters Middle attend?

Students who attend William E. Waters Middle usually go on to attend Manor High

Is William E. Waters Middle a good school?

William E. Waters Middle ranks in the bottom 7.5% of Virginia middle schools.

Rate William E. Waters Middle!

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Latest Virginia data All new data »

2025–26 SOL test scoresNewAug 25, 2026

2021–22 school spending dataFeb 16, 2026

2022–23 through 2023–24 school spending dataFeb 10, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJan 6, 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.