Nansemond River High School is a public secondary school in Suffolk, Virginia, United States. It opened in September 1990 and originally consisted of students from two of the three former high schools of Suffolk, now middle schools, John F. Kennedy Middle School and John Yeates Middle School.
Serving 1,681 students in grades 9-12, Nansemond River High School ranks in the top 30% of all schools in Virginia for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 65-69% (which is approximately equal to the Virginia state average of 68%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 87% (which is higher than the Virginia state average of 69%).
The student:teacher ratio of 15:1 is higher than the Virginia state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Virginia state average of 56% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,681 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 15:1
- Minority Enrollment: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 91% (Top 50% in VA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 30%
- Math Proficiency: 65-69% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 87% (Top 10%)
- Science Proficiency: 68% (Top 30%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Nansemond River High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Virginia for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
School Overview
Nansemond River High School's student population of 1,681 students has grown by 7% over five school years.
The teacher population of 109 teachers has grown by 9% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
1,681 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
109 teachers
Year Founded
1990
Colors
White, Black, Red
School Rankings
Nansemond River High School ranks within the top 30% of all 1,773 schools in Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Nansemond River High School is 0.64, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#524 out of 1773 schools
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
65-69%
68%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)87%
69%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)68%
59%
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
14:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
2%
8%
Hispanic
8%
19%
Black
51%
22%
White
31%
44%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
8%
7%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
91%
89%
Eligible for Free Lunch
68%
55%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (21-22)
4%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Warrior
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nansemond River High School's ranking?
Nansemond River High School is ranked #524 out of 1,773 schools, which ranks it among the top 30% of public schools in Virginia.
What schools are Nansemond River High School often compared to?
Nansemond River High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like King's Fork High School, Lakeland High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
65-69% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 68% VA state average), while 87% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 69% VA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Nansemond River High School?
The graduation rate of Nansemond River High School is 91%, which is higher than the Virginia state average of 89%.
How many students attend Nansemond River High School?
1,681 students attend Nansemond River High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
51% of Nansemond River High School students are Black, 31% of students are White, 8% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are Two or more races, and 2% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Nansemond River High School?
Nansemond River High School has a student ration of 15:1, which is higher than the Virginia state average of 14:1.
What grades does Nansemond River High School offer ?
Nansemond River High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Nansemond River High School part of?
Nansemond River High School is part of Suffolk City School District.
School Reviews
Review Nansemond River High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.
Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State鈥檚 Public School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We鈥檒l look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.
Can Your Child鈥檚 School Meet the National Standards?
The article discusses the challenges public schools face in meeting national educational standards. It examines current performance trends, identifies key issues affecting student achievement, and explores potential solutions for improving academic outcomes across U.S. public schools.
