Best High Schools in Zip Code 23320

Zip code 23320 is home to one high school, Oscar F. Smith High, a large public school in Chesapeake serving grades 9–12 with about 2,264 students. The school is part of the Chesapeake City Public Schools district, which earns a strong 4-star rating and ranks in the 74th percentile of Virginia districts. However, Oscar F. Smith itself sits below the state median, currently ranked 195th out of 331 high schools (41st percentile) with a 2-star rating. The school has a high poverty rate, with 71.4% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch, and its student-teacher ratio is 12.7.

Academically, Oscar F. Smith shows a fascinating split. Ninth graders are doing exceptionally well in advanced math and science: Geometry proficiency hit 90.5% (state 85.9%) in 2025–2026, Algebra II for 9th graders reached 90.5% (state 90.5%), and Biology proficiency in 9th grade was 91.6% (state 86.1%). World History II among 9th graders was nearly perfect at 98.4% proficiency. Yet upperclassmen retaking Algebra I and seniors in English Reading lag far behind state averages — Algebra I proficiency in 11th grade was just 50% (state 78.6%) and 12th-grade Reading was 58.3% (state 70.2%). Biology remains a consistent strength across all grades, but the school's graduation rate of 88% is below both the district (93.3%) and state (92.3%). Chronic absenteeism is also double the district rate: 20.2% vs. 11.1%.

For parents, the takeaway is that Oscar F. Smith has clear academic strengths in 9th grade, particularly in math, science, and history, suggesting early high school supports are working well. The school is also improving its state rank year over year, moving from 226th in 2023–2024 to 195th in 2025–2026. However, significant challenges remain for 10th–12th graders, especially those retaking core courses, with reading proficiency and attendance both areas of concern. The gap between the school’s 2-star rating and its district’s 4-star rating highlights an opportunity for additional district-level support to help upperclassmen catch up and boost overall graduation outcomes.