Total enrollment
14,565
+696 (+5%) vs SY 2020-21
Suffolk city
Virginia · Public K-12
Across all districts in Suffolk city, public schools number 22 and enroll approximately 14,565 K-12 students (14 elementary, 5 middle, and 3 high).
4-year change in Suffolk city
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
19
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Suffolk city ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Virginia | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 69.4% | #66 of 115 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 14,565 | #17 of 118 | #610 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 19 | #24 of 118 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 15.1:1 | #103 of 118 | #1,812 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 68.9% | #66 of 107 | #784 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 61.5% | #40 of 115 | #492 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.
Suffolk city school rankings
Residents
98,796
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
22
1 districts
Enrollment
14,565
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$92,666
Above Virginia avg
Free/reduced lunch
68.9%
Below Virginia avg
Elementary
14
6,989 students
Middle
5
3,162 students
High
3
4,414 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Suffolk City Public Schools
14,565 students · 1 district in Suffolk city
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Suffolk 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+
33.3%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
7.1%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.0%
civilian labor
Median age
39
23.6% under 18
Test scores in Suffolk city
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 19 schools ranked. Virginia state average: 74.2%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Nansemond River High· 89.0%
- King's Fork High· 84.0%
- John Yeates Middle· 83.0%
- Oakland Elementary· 83.0%
- Northern Shores Elementary· 79.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Booker T. Washington Elementary· 53.0%
- Elephant's Fork Elementary· 60.0%
- Hillpoint Elementary· 62.0%
- John F. Kennedy Middle· 63.0%
- Mack Benn Jr. Elementary· 64.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King's Fork High | Suffolk | High | 09-12 | 1,686 | · |
| Nansemond River High | Suffolk | High | 09-12 | 1,683 | · |
| Lakeland High | Suffolk | High | 09-12 | 1,045 | · |
| King's Fork Middle | Suffolk | Middle | 06-08 | 986 | · |
| Florence Bowser Elementary | Suffolk | Elementary | PK-05 | 926 | · |
| Northern Shores Elementary | Suffolk | Elementary | PK-05 | 798 | · |
| Hillpoint Elementary | Suffolk | Elementary | PK-05 | 780 | · |
| Creekside Elementary | Suffolk | Elementary | PK-05 | 764 | · |
| Colonel Fred Cherry Middle | Suffolk | Middle | 06-08 | 736 | · |
| Mack Benn Jr. Elementary | Suffolk | Elementary | PK-05 | 713 | · |
| Elephant's Fork Elementary | Suffolk | Elementary | PK-05 | 653 | · |
| Southwestern Elementary | Suffolk | Elementary | PK-05 | 579 | · |
| John Yeates Middle | Suffolk | Middle | 06-08 | 509 | · |
| John F. Kennedy Middle | Suffolk | Middle | 06-08 | 498 | · |
| Kilby Shores Elementary | Suffolk | Elementary | PK-05 | 494 | · |
| Oakland Elementary | Suffolk | Elementary | PK-05 | 464 | · |
| Nansemond Parkway Elementary | Suffolk | Elementary | PK-05 | 456 | · |
| Forest Glen Middle | Suffolk | Middle | 06-08 | 433 | · |
| Booker T. Washington Elementary | Suffolk | Elementary | PK-05 | 362 | · |
| FIRST Academy | Suffolk | Elementary | N-N | · | · |
| The College and Career Academy at Pruden | Suffolk | Elementary | N-N | · | · |
| Turlington Woods Alternative | Suffolk | Elementary | N-N | · | · |
Cities in Suffolk city
About Suffolk city
Across the middle-population Virginia county of Suffolk city of about 98,796 residents, the public-school footprint covers 22 schools and about 14,565 students.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $92,666, roughly 33% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the federal-poverty share is near 7%. That income level is 21% higher than the Virginia median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Suffolk city comprises 14 elementary schools (6,989 students), 5 middle schools (3,162), and 3 high schools (4,414).
Suffolk City Public Schools is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 14,565 students across Suffolk city.
Looking at the last 4 years. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment increased 5%: 13,869 students in SY 2020-21 versus 14,565 in SY 2024-25.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Suffolk city discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data