| Metric | Petersburg City Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 4,272 | 3,544 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 7 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $16,274/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 8% below avg |
| District Type | Education Service Agency | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 1/10 — Poor | — | Below average |
Zip code 23803 is split between districts by area. No single district serves most of this zip. Residents live in different school districts: about 44% in Petersburg City Public Schools, about 31% in Chesterfield County Public Schools, about 25% in Dinwiddie County Public Schools. The page is headed by the district with the largest share; check your exact address with the district.
| GRADES | DISTRICT | RATING |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-K–12 All grades (44% of area) | Petersburg City Public Schools 4,272 students · 7 schools | 1/10 |
| Pre-K–12 All grades (31% of area) | Chesterfield County Public Schools 63,916 students · 73 schools | 5/10 |
| Pre-K–12 All grades (25% of area) | Dinwiddie County Public Schools 4,256 students · 7 schools | 3/10 |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petersburg City Public Schools (this district) | 1/10 | 2nd | 4,272 |
| Dinwiddie County Public Schools | 3/10 | 21st | 4,256 |
| Chesterfield County Public Schools | 5/10 | 45th | 63,916 |
| Prince George County Public Schools | 7/10 | 67th | 6,106 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 132 rated districts in VA → 2nd percentile → 1/10.
Source: Virginia Dept. of Education SOL, division English Reading & Mathematics pass rates, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Petersburg City Public Schools
Families in zip code 23803 (Petersburg, Virginia) are assigned to Petersburg City Public Schools for public education through 12th. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Understanding the 1/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Petersburg City Public Schools 1 out of 10 — low-rated among Virginia public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Virginia’s SOL (Standards of Learning) English Reading & Mathematics assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Virginia is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Petersburg City Public Schools holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in Virginia on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 23803
Children in zip code 23803 are assigned to Petersburg City Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 23803, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Petersburg City Public Schools at (804)732-0510 or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Virginia districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Petersburg
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Petersburg City Public Schools serves zip code 23803, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 23803. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Virginia, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Petersburg City Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 23803.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Petersburg City Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 23803 data.