📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (SOL 2024–25), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
Virginia: 14 Rated Districts
SOL 2024–25 · percentile among Virginia districts
| Rank in VA | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | York County Public Schools | Yorktown | 10/10 Excellent | 97th |
| #2 | Poquoson City Public Schools | Poquoson | 10/10 Excellent | 96th |
| #3 | Gloucester County Public Schools | Gloucester | 9/10 Excellent | 89th |
| #4 | Virginia Beach City Public Schools | Virginia Beach | 9/10 Excellent | 86th |
| #5 | Chesapeake City Public Schools | Chesapeake | 9/10 Excellent | 84th |
| #6 | Isle of Wight County Public Schools | Smithfield | 9/10 Excellent | 83rd |
| #7 | Williamsburg City Public Schools | Williamsburg | 8/10 Good | 76th |
| #8 | Surry County Public Schools | Surry | 7/10 Good | 66th |
| #9 | Hampton City Public Schools | Hampton | 7/10 Good | 64th |
| #10 | Mathews County Public Schools | Mathews | 6/10 Average | 57th |
| #11 | Suffolk City Public Schools | Suffolk | 6/10 Average | 52nd |
| #12 | Newport News City Public Schools | Newport News | 2/10 Poor | 15th |
| #13 | Norfolk City Public Schools | Norfolk | 2/10 Poor | 12th |
| #14 | Portsmouth City Public Schools | Portsmouth | 2/10 Poor | 12th |
North Carolina: 3 Rated Districts
NC EOG 2024–25 · percentile among North Carolina districts
| Rank in NC | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Camden County Schools | Camden | 10/10 Excellent | 93rd |
| #2 | Currituck County Schools | Currituck | 10/10 Excellent | 91st |
| #3 | Gates County Schools | Gatesville | 5/10 Average | 47th |
Best School Districts in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC Metro Area (2026)
This metro area crosses state lines, so it is shown as one table per state. Each state rates its districts on its own test, and a 9/10 in one state is not comparable with a 9/10 in another.
Counties are assigned to metropolitan areas using the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 delineation, and each district is placed in the county of its NCES directory listing. Ratings come from SOL 2024–25 (Virginia); NC EOG 2024–25 (North Carolina) and are percentile-ranked within the district's own state. Always confirm your assignment by address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in the Virginia part of the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area? ▼
Among the 14 rated districts in the Virginia part of the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, the highest-rated is York County Public Schools (Yorktown), rated 10/10 (Excellent) and in the 97th percentile of Virginia districts on SOL 2024–25 reading and math proficiency.
What is the best-rated school district in the North Carolina part of the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area? ▼
Among the 3 rated districts in the North Carolina part of the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, the highest-rated is Camden County Schools (Camden), rated 10/10 (Excellent) and in the 93rd percentile of North Carolina districts on NC EOG 2024–25 reading and math proficiency.
Can I compare districts across state lines here? ▼
No. Each state uses its own assessment, so ratings and percentiles are only comparable among districts in the same state. Full methodology here.