Total enrollment
4,582
+537 (+13%) vs SY 2020-21
Petersburg city
Virginia · Public K-12
Petersburg city operates 9 public K-12 schools inside Virginia, with combined enrollment of approximately 4,582 (about 509 students per school). By level, that breaks down as 7 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
4-year change in Petersburg city
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
7
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Petersburg city ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Virginia | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 39.1% | #115 of 115 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 4,582 | #55 of 118 | #1,423 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 7 | #66 of 118 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 14.6:1 | #95 of 118 | #1,628 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 92.0% | #28 of 107 | #245 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 31.4% | #97 of 115 | #1,749 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Petersburg city school rankings
Residents
33,537
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
9
3 districts
Enrollment
4,582
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$50,698
Below Virginia avg
Free/reduced lunch
92.0%
Above Virginia avg
Elementary
7
2,418 students
Middle
1
949 students
High
1
1,215 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Petersburg City Public Schools
4,582 students · 3 districts in Petersburg city
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Petersburg city residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
25.4%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
19.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
10.0%
civilian labor
Median age
36
23.9% under 18
Test scores in Petersburg city
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 6 schools ranked. Virginia state average: 74.2%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Petersburg High· 75.0%
- Walnut Hill Elementary· 50.0%
- Vernon Johns Middle· 37.0%
- Cool Spring Elementary· 36.0%
- Pleasants Lane Elementary· 35.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Lakemont Elementary· 27.0%
- Pleasants Lane Elementary· 35.0%
- Cool Spring Elementary· 36.0%
- Vernon Johns Middle· 37.0%
- Walnut Hill Elementary· 50.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petersburg High | Petersburg | High | 09-12 | 1,215 | · |
| Vernon Johns Middle | Petersburg | Middle | 06-08 | 949 | · |
| Walnut Hill Elementary | Petersburg | Elementary | KG-05 | 574 | · |
| Cool Spring Elementary | Petersburg | Elementary | KG-05 | 540 | · |
| Pleasants Lane Elementary | Petersburg | Elementary | KG-05 | 493 | · |
| Westview Early Childhood Education Center | Petersburg | Elementary | PK-PK | 418 | · |
| Lakemont Elementary | Petersburg | Elementary | KG-05 | 393 | · |
| Appomattox Regional Governor's School | Petersburg | Elementary | N-N | · | · |
| Petersburg Regional Alternative | Petersburg | Elementary | N-N | · | · |
Cities in Petersburg city
About Petersburg city
Petersburg city is a rural-scale Virginia county of about 33,537 residents, home to 9 public schools and roughly 4,582 students.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $50,698, roughly 25% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate is around 20%. That income level is 34% noticeably below the Virginia median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Petersburg city covers 7 elementary schools (2,418 students), 1 middle school (949), and 1 high school (1,215).
Petersburg City Public Schools is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 4,582 students across Petersburg city.
Looking at the last 4 years. Total public-school enrollment in Petersburg city has expanded 13% since SY 2020-21, moving from about 4,045 students to 4,582.
On allk12, the community for Petersburg city discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data