Petersburg High School is located in Petersburg, Virginia, United States. It is the only high school in Petersburg City Public Schools. Petersburg High School is located on Johnson Road. The new school combined the old Petersburg High School on Washington Street and the old Peabody High School on Wesley Street.
Serving 1,171 students in grades 9-12, Petersburg High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Virginia for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 70-79% (which is higher than the Virginia state average of 68%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 60-64% (which is lower 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 96% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Virginia state average of 56% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,171 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 15:1
- Minority Enrollment: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 86% (Btm 50% in VA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 70-79% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 60-64% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 25-29% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Petersburg High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Virginia for:
Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
Petersburg High School's student population of 1,171 students has grown by 16% over five school years.
The teacher population of 78 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
1,171 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
78 teachers
Year Founded
1974
School Rankings
Petersburg High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,773 schools in Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Petersburg High School is 0.30, 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
#951 out of 1773 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
70-79%
68%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)60-64%
69%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)25-29%
59%
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
14:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
1%
8%
Hispanic
11%
19%
Black
83%
22%
White
4%
44%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
1%
7%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
86%
89%
Eligible for Free Lunch
96%
55%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (13-14)
5%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Petersburg High School's ranking?
Petersburg High School is ranked #951 out of 1,773 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Virginia.
What schools are Petersburg High School often compared to?
Petersburg High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Colonial Heights High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
70-79% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 68% VA state average), while 60-64% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 69% VA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Petersburg High School?
The graduation rate of Petersburg High School is 86%, which is lower than the Virginia state average of 89%.
How many students attend Petersburg High School?
1,171 students attend Petersburg High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
83% of Petersburg High School students are Black, 11% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are White, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Petersburg High School?
Petersburg High School has a student ration of 15:1, which is higher than the Virginia state average of 14:1.
What grades does Petersburg High School offer ?
Petersburg High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Petersburg High School part of?
Petersburg High School is part of Petersburg City School District.
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