Best Public Schools in Zip Code 23455

Zip code 23455 in Virginia Beach, VA contains 9 schools within Virginia Beach City Public Schools, serving roughly 7,800 students across 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school. The district is rated 4 stars and ranks 29th out of 131 districts in Virginia (78th percentile).

Old Donation School is the clear academic outlier — a 5-star school ranked 20th of 416 Virginia middle schools (95th percentile) with near-100% proficiency on every SOL test, the area's lowest chronic absenteeism (2.0%), and the lowest free/reduced lunch rate (14.3%). Because it is a selective program serving grades 3–8, it should be viewed separately from traditional neighborhood schools. Among those, Thoroughgood Elementary is the strongest: a 5-star school ranked 63rd of 1,111 elementary schools (94th percentile) with math proficiency ranging from 90–94% and reading from 84–92% in grades 3–5. Bayside High is a graduation powerhouse (98.7% graduation vs. 92.3% statewide, 1.0% dropout rate), but its English SOL scores lag the district significantly, including just 60% in 10th grade writing vs. 82.5% districtwide.

At the other end, Bayside Elementary is the area's most struggling school: 1 star, ranked 928th of 1,111 (16th percentile), with proficiency 15–25 points below state averages, an 86.1% free/reduced lunch rate, and 11.0% chronic absenteeism. Luxford Elementary also struggles (2 stars, 39th percentile, 78% FRL). Notably, Pembroke Meadows Elementary breaks the poverty pattern — 68.7% FRL yet ranked at the 74th percentile with 4 stars. Higher spending does not guarantee higher scores: Luxford ($16,782) and Bayside Elementary ($16,241) spend the most per student yet score the lowest, reflecting compensatory funding for high-need students. Chronic absenteeism tracks performance closely, and Shelton Park Elementary showed the strongest momentum, jumping from the 67th to 77th percentile with 5th grade math rising from 69.5% to 89.7%. Independence Middle posts elite advanced-course scores (100% in 7th grade Algebra I) but weak on-grade-level math (38.1% vs. 51.1% statewide), revealing a sharp divide between tracked and general students.