For the 2026 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 14,565 students in Suffolk, VA (there are 2 private schools, serving 1,152 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Suffolk, VA are educated in public schools (compared to the VA state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Suffolk, VA are John Yeates Middle School, Nansemond River High School and Colonel Fred Cherry Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Suffolk, VA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 68% (versus the Virginia public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 69% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Suffolk have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Virginia public schools.
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Virginia public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Suffolk, VA (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
John Yeates Middle School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4901 Bennetts Pasture Rd
Suffolk, VA 23435
(757) 923-4105
Suffolk, VA 23435
(757) 923-4105
Gr: 6-8 | 509 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #22.
Nansemond River High School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3301 Nansemond Pkwy
Suffolk, VA 23435
(757) 923-4101
Suffolk, VA 23435
(757) 923-4101
Gr: 9-12 | 1,683 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #33.
Colonel Fred Cherry Middle School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
7401 Burbage Drive
Suffolk, VA 23435
(757) 925-6752
Suffolk, VA 23435
(757) 925-6752
Gr: 6-8 | 736 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #44.
Northern Shores Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6701 Respass Beach Rd
Suffolk, VA 23435
(757) 923-4169
Suffolk, VA 23435
(757) 923-4169
Gr: PK-5 | 798 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #55.
Oakland Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
5505 Godwin Blvd
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 923-5248
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 923-5248
Gr: PK-5 | 464 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #66.
Florence Bowser Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4540 Nansemond Pkwy
Suffolk, VA 23435
(757) 923-4106
Suffolk, VA 23435
(757) 923-4106
Gr: PK-5 | 926 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #77.
Forest Glen Middle School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
200 Forest Glen Dr
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 925-5780
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 925-5780
Gr: 6-8 | 433 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #88.
Creekside Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1000 Bennetts Creek Park Road
Suffolk, VA 23435
(757) 923-4251
Suffolk, VA 23435
(757) 923-4251
Gr: PK-5 | 764 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #99.
Southwestern Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
150 Pioneer Rd
Suffolk, VA 23437
(757) 925-5782
Suffolk, VA 23437
(757) 925-5782
Gr: PK-5 | 579 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1010.
Kilby Shores Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
111 Kilby Shores Dr
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 934-6214
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 934-6214
Gr: PK-5 | 494 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
King's Fork High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
351 Kings Fork Road
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 923-5240
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 923-5240
Gr: 9-12 | 1,686 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Lakeland High School
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
214 Kenyon Road
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 925-5790
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 925-5790
Gr: 9-12 | 1,045 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1313.
Nansemond Parkway Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3012 Nansemond Pkwy
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 923-4167
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 923-4167
Gr: PK-5 | 456 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1414.
Hillpoint Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1101 Hillpoint Rd
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 925-6750
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 925-6750
Gr: PK-5 | 780 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #1515.
John F. Kennedy Middle School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2325 E Washington St
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 934-6212
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 934-6212
Gr: 6-8 | 498 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #1616.
Elephant's Fork Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2316 William Reid Dr
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 923-5250
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 923-5250
Gr: PK-5 | 653 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1717.
King's Fork Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
350 Kings Fork Rd.
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 923-5246
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 923-5246
Gr: 6-8 | 986 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #1818.
Booker T. Washington Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
204 Walnut Street
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 934-6226
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 934-6226
Gr: PK-5 | 362 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #1919.
Mack Benn Jr. Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1253 Nansemond Pkwy
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 934-6224
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 934-6224
Gr: PK-5 | 713 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: n/an/a
The College And Career Academy At Pruden
Vocational School
4169 Pruden Blvd
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 925-5651
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 925-5651
Rank: n/an/a
Turlington Woods Alternative
Alternative School
629 Turlington Rd
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 934-6215
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 934-6215
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Suffolk, VA?
The top-ranked public schools in Suffolk, VA include John Yeates Middle School, Nansemond River High School and Colonel Fred Cherry Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Suffolk?
22 public schools are located in Suffolk.
What percentage of students in Suffolk go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in Suffolk are educated in public schools (compared to the VA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Suffolk?
Suffolk public schools minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Virginia public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Suffolk are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Suffolk include: Florence Bowser Elementary School vs. Creekside Elementary School, John F. Kennedy Middle School vs. King's Fork Middle School, Creekside Elementary School vs. Florence Bowser Elementary School
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