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York River Academy

Q: Is York River Academy a good school?

York River Academy ranks 42 nd of 331 Virginia high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Q: How many students attend York River Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 72 students attended York River Academy.

Q: What is the racial makeup of York River Academy?

Students at York River Academy are 61% White, 14% African American, 14% Two or more races, 11% Hispanic.

Public, Charter Grades 9-12

42^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 331 Virginia High Schools

Better than 87% of Virginia high schools

Summary

York River Academy is a very small public high school in Yorktown, Virginia, serving grades 9–12 with just 72 students through York County Public Schools, a district ranked 6th in the state. Sharing a campus with York High School, York River Academy operates as a distinct, specialized program built around intensive, individualized support. With a student-teacher ratio of 6.1 to 1 and per-pupil spending of roughly $22,900—two to four times higher than nearby comprehensive high schools—this is clearly not a traditional school model. The combination of tiny enrollment, high staffing, and substantial resources points to an academy designed for students who benefit from a close-knit, high-support environment.

The strongest results at YRA are its graduation and dropout rates. The school has reported a 0% dropout rate every year and a 100% graduation rate in four of the last five years, exceeding the district's 96.6% and the state's 92.3%. Nearby high schools typically graduate between 94.7% and 98.5% of their students. Attendance data was a concern earlier—chronic absenteeism topped 41% in 2021-22 and 2022-23—but it dropped to 11.6% by 2024-25, below the state average. That turnaround is one of the most encouraging developments in the school's recent data.

Because YRA has only 72 students, test scores and state rankings fluctuate dramatically from year to year. The school ranked 4th in Virginia in 2023-24, fell to 301st in 2024-25, and rebounded to 42nd in 2025-26—ahead of larger schools like Grafton High, Warwick High, and Gloucester High, and very close to Tabb High. Reading proficiency shifted from 100% to 60% to 93% across three years. These swings reflect the small testing pool rather than inconsistent teaching. In the most recent year, YRA met or exceeded state averages in Reading, Writing, and World History. For parents, the durable graduation record and improving attendance are the most meaningful signals of success.

Students ?

6.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$39,907

Per pupil spending ?

9300 Geo. Washington Mem. Hwy.
Yorktown, VA 23692

(757) 898-0516

District: York County Public Schools

Racial breakdown:

White:

61.1%

African American:

13.9%

Two or more races:

13.9%

See top rated Virginia high schools

Compare York River Academy to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 74th percentile in 2016 → 87th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Virginia average (88% vs 80% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 13% of Virginia high schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 13 percentile points since 2016

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school88%

District avg88%

Virginia avg80%

42^nd of 331

Virginia public high schools ?

Top 13%▲ up 13 pts since 2016

From top 26% (2016) to top 13% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 5High Schools in the York County Public Schools

6^th of 131York County 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	77.0	42 of 331	87.3%	★★★★☆
2025	25.2	301 of 328	8.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	87.9	4 of 329	98.8%	★★★★★
2023	35.7	252 of 326	22.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	82.4	6 of 325	98.2%	★★★★★
2021	72.6	22 of 327	93.3%	★★★★★
2019	44.3	206 of 327	37.0%	★★☆☆☆
2018	40.5	221 of 326	32.2%	★★☆☆☆
2017	67.7	53 of 324	83.6%	★★★★☆
2016	62.0	83 of 321	74.1%	★★★★☆
2015	51.9	139 of 322	56.8%	★★★☆☆
2014	45.5	174 of 322	46.0%	★★☆☆☆
2013	33.8	240 of 321	25.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	57.3	106 of 321	67.0%	★★★☆☆
2011	75.2	29 of 320	90.9%	★★★★★
2010	60.1	94 of 317	70.3%	★★★★☆
2009	67.2	46 of 313	85.3%	★★★★☆
2008	35.0	240 of 316	24.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	59.8	87 of 313	72.2%	★★★★☆
2006	40.3	218 of 314	30.6%	★★☆☆☆
2005	42.4	207 of 308	32.8%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	77.7	43 of 325	86.8%	★★★★☆
2024	84.4	11 of 322	96.6%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	65.5	99 of 312	68.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	85.4	5 of 314	98.4%	★★★★★
2023	7.0	313 of 315	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

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)

Male (2026)87th percentile~ school

White (2026)68th percentile-19 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

Writing93%+15 vs state

English Reading93%+7 vs state

World History I77%+5 vs state

3.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Monday, July 25, 2016

Principal Cross and his teachers are wonderful, and they are truly dedicated to the students. BUT,...There are real shortcomings that could not be addressed during my son's 4 years there. There are NO advanced classes available. I don't mean "no AP classes". I mean that the math classes end at Algebra II (Which includes some Statistics). The science classes end at basic biology (with some botany and chemistry included). There are NO chemistry classes, or physics classes offered. this is just as true with English and History. Also there are NO PE courses offered. All of the students are expected to take the same courses regardless of individual aptitude. Students who struggle are given the absolute best that the teachers can give. Mr Cross and his teachers are truly amazing at helping students in need. This cannot be overstated. HOWEVER;
My son excelled at math. There was simply no course for him. So he had 'free time' while his friends took their math. I asked Mr Cross if my son could take advanced math at York High School, roughly one mile down the street. The answer was simply, 'No'. YRA and YHS do not share students, resources, or even the same academic calendar, even though they are both York County Schools. Finally, in his senior year, it was suggested that he take a course at TNCC (Community College). I was assured that the $400 in tuition and the $150 book would be reimbursed by York County. Two weeks into his college course, I was told that YRA had no agreement with TNCC. I would simply have to pay for it. (Although an identical course was offered at York High School not one mile from YRA for free to York County students, I was told to pay $550. !!)
If your student is struggling, then YRA is probably the right place to go. The staff there is phenomenal. But if your students excels, then he/she will be pigeon holed. Close Quote

Schools Near York River Academy

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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 Writing (2026)			SOL Geometry (2026)				SOL Algebra I (2026)					SOL Algebra II (2026)				SOL Chemistry (2026)			SOL Biology (2026)				SOL Earth Science (2026)				SOL English Reading (2026)			SOL Geography (2026)				SOL VA and US History (2026)				SOL World History I (2026)				SOL World History II (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 Writing 10th Grade	SOL Writing 11th Grade	SOL Writing 12th Grade	SOL Geometry 9th Grade	SOL Geometry 10th Grade	SOL Geometry 11th Grade	SOL Geometry 12th Grade	SOL Algebra I 8th 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 Algebra II 12th Grade	SOL Chemistry 10th Grade	SOL Chemistry 11th Grade	SOL Chemistry 12th Grade	SOL Biology 9th Grade	SOL Biology 10th Grade	SOL Biology 11th Grade	SOL Biology 12th Grade	SOL Earth Science 9th 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 Geography 11th Grade	SOL Geography 12th 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 I 12th Grade	SOL World History II 9th Grade	SOL World History II 10th Grade	SOL World History II 11th Grade	SOL World History II 12th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
York River Academy	Public, Charter	9-12	9300 Geo. Washington Mem. Hwy.	Yorktown	23692	York County	York County Public Schools	Yes	No	No	No	(757) 898-0516	72	12	6.1	—	44 (61.1%)	10 (13.9%)	8 (11.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (13.9%)	77	42^nd of 331 public high schools	87.3%		25.2	301^st of 328 public high schools	8.2%	259		93.3	≥ 50%	419.0	< 50%				422.0	≥ 50%			≥ 50%							475.0	423.0				≥ 50%				93.3	≥ 50%	≥ 50%					< 50%		< 50%	76.9								$39,907	$2,980	$36,928
York High	Public	9-12	9300 Geo Wash Mem Hwy	Yorktown	23692	York County	York County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 898-0354	947	69	13.8	30.1%	562 (59.3%)	131 (13.8%)	119 (12.6%)	33 (3.5%)	4 (0.4%)	3 (0.3%)	95 (10.0%)	72	76^th of 331 public high schools	77.0%		75.7	54^th of 328 public high schools	83.5%	22	< 50%	87.8	83.3	85.5	55.6	≥ 50%			89.5	393.0	432.0	≥ 50%	94.9	406.0	≥ 50%	< 50%	≥ 50%	≥ 50%		91.1	68.9	429.0	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	75.0	≥ 50%	< 50%	≥ 50%	97.6	419.0	83.3	< 50%				< 50%	59.4	< 50%	84.0	381.0		< 50%	87.8	33.3	≥ 50%		$11,315	$435	$10,880
Woodside High	Public	9-12	13450 Woodside Lane	Newport News	23608	Newport News city	Newport News City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 886-7530	1,723	115	15.0	96.7%	313 (18.2%)	900 (52.2%)	289 (16.8%)	44 (2.6%)	4 (0.2%)	11 (0.6%)	162 (9.4%)	54.7	179^th of 331 public high schools	45.9%		49.9	200^th of 328 public high schools	39.0%	21		≥ 50%		95.1	76.7	411.0			80.4	77.8	409.0	90.0	98.0	448.0	359.0	≥ 50%				78.6	61.0	79.2	96.4	≥ 50%	77.8	396.0	≥ 50%	58.3	90.1	81.8	97.3	≥ 50%				< 50%	< 50%	78.6	398.0	< 50%				< 50%			$10,357	$449	$9,908
Grafton High	Public	9-12	403 Grafton Dr	Yorktown	23692	York County	York County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 898-0530	1,235	77	16.0	44.2%	658 (53.3%)	155 (12.6%)	156 (12.6%)	110 (8.9%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (0.4%)	151 (12.2%)	66.6	109^th of 331 public high schools	67.1%		75.7	53^rd of 328 public high schools	83.8%	56	387.0	89.1	91.7	90.7	62.5	< 50%			84.1	378.0	435.0	≥ 50%	97.6	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	385.0		82.6	51.1	52.9	405.0	< 50%	392.0	≥ 50%		397.0	94.0	90.0	92.7	73.9				367.0	51.2	< 50%	78.7	64.3	≥ 50%			446.0			$9,318	$173	$9,145
Denbigh High	Public, Magnet	9-12	259 Denbigh Blvd	Newport News	23608	Newport News city	Newport News City Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(757) 886-7700	1,269	89	14.3	95.2%	257 (20.3%)	615 (48.5%)	275 (21.7%)	31 (2.4%)	1 (0.1%)	5 (0.4%)	85 (6.7%)	30.6	277^th of 331 public high schools	16.3%		21.7	308^th of 328 public high schools	6.1%	31				63.6	390.0	< 50%	< 50%		81.5	66.7	90.0	80.0	93.9	65.4	412.0	< 50%		< 50%	≥ 50%	80.7	57.3	60.0	65.2	415.0	377.0	332.0	362.0	50.0	75.7	58.1	94.4	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	73.7			394.0	384.0	447.0	380.0	≥ 50%	409.0		382.0		≥ 50%	$11,945	$548	$11,397
Tabb High	Public	9-12	4431 Big Bethel Rd	Yorktown	23693	York County	York County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 867-7400	1,153	75	15.3	21.8%	629 (54.6%)	154 (13.4%)	135 (11.7%)	99 (8.6%)	3 (0.3%)	5 (0.4%)	128 (11.1%)	77.3	40^th of 331 public high schools	87.9%		77.2	40^th of 328 public high schools	87.8%		< 50%	86.5	71.4	96.9	58.8	< 50%	< 50%		94.4	394.0	57.1	≥ 50%	100.0	≥ 50%	431.0		418.0	395.0		96.2	74.4	385.0	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	72.7	385.0	≥ 50%	< 50%	94.2	369.0	92.2	≥ 50%					16.7		92.5	≥ 50%	< 50%		< 50%	64.7	426.0		$9,609	$424	$9,185
Menchville High	Public	9-12	275 Menchville Rd	Newport News	23602	Newport News city	Newport News City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 886-7722	1,707	126	13.6	95.7%	534 (31.3%)	650 (38.1%)	365 (21.4%)	43 (2.5%)	3 (0.2%)	2 (0.1%)	110 (6.4%)	37.5	257^th of 331 public high schools	22.4%		39.3	250^th of 328 public high schools	23.8%	7				69.8	< 50%	≥ 50%	< 50%	≥ 50%	76.0	90.9	414.0	91.7	95.7	56.5	63.6	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	≥ 50%		88.8	60.2	55.8	73.8	< 50%	≥ 50%	< 50%	< 50%	50.0	81.9	60.0	100.0		≥ 50%	≥ 50%			< 50%	400.0	411.0	< 50%	< 50%	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	< 50%			$10,511	$379	$10,132
Poquoson High	Public	9-12	51 Odd Rd	Poquoson	23662	Poquoson city	Poquoson City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(757) 868-7123	647	53	12.3	20.1%	571 (88.3%)	7 (1.1%)	28 (4.3%)	8 (1.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (4.9%)	80	25^th of 331 public high schools	92.4%		79.5	24^th of 328 public high schools	92.7%	1	≥ 50%	87.9	≥ 50%	96.2	390.0				100.0	70.4	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	100.0					< 50%		100.0	88.3	83.3	≥ 50%		< 50%	< 50%		≥ 50%	93.6	423.0						< 50%	373.0	394.0	89.9	366.0	< 50%			25.0			$10,413	$369	$10,044
Gloucester High	Public	9-12	6680 Short Lane	Gloucester	23061	Gloucester County	Gloucester County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(804) 693-2526	1,547	107	14.4	65.2%	1,178 (76.1%)	99 (6.4%)	140 (9.0%)	9 (0.6%)	8 (0.5%)	3 (0.2%)	110 (7.1%)	63.6	122^nd of 331 public high schools	63.1%		68.4	101^st of 328 public high schools	69.2%	21		82.8	396.0	91.8	424.0		< 50%		87.3	66.7	413.0	60.0	100.0		≥ 50%		≥ 50%	403.0	< 50%	100.0	81.4	64.3	95.2						86.5	63.6						< 50%	393.0	81.8	20.0	< 50%		≥ 50%	< 50%	362.0			$10,537	$558	$9,979
Bruton High	Public, Magnet	9-12	185 East Rochambeau Dr	Williamsburg	23188	York County	York County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(757) 220-4050	723	58	12.5	33.5%	346 (47.9%)	151 (20.9%)	129 (17.8%)	20 (2.8%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.3%)	74 (10.2%)	65.2	114^th of 331 public high schools	65.6%		70.4	87^th of 328 public high schools	73.5%	27		88.2	403.0	81.1	< 50%	< 50%			86.1	58.3	≥ 50%	410.0	92.1	≥ 50%	< 50%		≥ 50%	< 50%		89.9	56.6	64.3	396.0	≥ 50%	384.0	394.0	≥ 50%		95.4	≥ 50%	83.8	386.0	≥ 50%		≥ 50%	< 50%	383.0	≥ 50%	81.4	≥ 50%		≥ 50%	≥ 50%	397.0		≥ 50%	$12,824	$180	$12,644

Frequently Asked Questions about York River Academy

Is York River Academy a good school?

York River Academy ranks 42^nd of 331 Virginia high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of York River Academy?

Students at York River Academy are 61% White, 14% African American, 14% Two or more races, 11% Hispanic.

What district is York River Academy in?

York County Public Schools

How many students attend York River Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 72 students attended York River Academy.

Rate York River Academy!

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Latest Virginia data All new data »

2023–24 school spending data (updated)NewNov 2, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataOct 12, 2026

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

2025–26 SOL test scoresAug 25, 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.