For the 2025 school year, there are 14 public schools serving 6,420 students in Petersburg, VA (there are , serving 289 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Petersburg, VA are educated in public schools (compared to the VA state average of 89%).
The top ranked public schools in Petersburg, VA are Petersburg High School, Matoaca Middle School and Matoaca Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Petersburg, VA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the Virginia public school average of 54%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Petersburg have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Virginia public schools.
Minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Virginia public school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Petersburg, VA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Petersburg High School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3101 Johnson Road
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 862-7096
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 862-7096
Grades: 9-12
| 1,171 students
Rank: #22.
Matoaca Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
6001 Hickory Road
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 590-3130
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 590-3130
Grades: 6-8
| 806 students
Rank: #33.
Matoaca Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
6627 River Rd
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 590-3100
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 590-3100
Grades: PK-5
| 636 students
Rank: #44.
Ettrick Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
20910 Chesterfield Ave.
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 520-6005
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 520-6005
Grades: PK-5
| 514 students
Rank: #55.
Walnut Hill Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
300 S Boulevard
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 862-7005
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 862-7005
Grades: K-5
| 539 students
Rank: #66.
Vernon Johns Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3101 Homestead Drive
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 862-7020
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 862-7020
Grades: 6-8
| 901 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Cool Spring Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1450 Talley Avenue
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7002
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7002
Grades: K-5
| 529 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Lakemont Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
51 Gibbons St
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7007
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7007
Grades: K-5
| 404 students
Rank: #99.
Pleasants Lane Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
100 Pleasants Lane
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7013
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7013
Grades: K-5
| 515 students
Rank: n/an/a
Appomattox Regional Governor's School
Magnet School
512 W Washington St
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 722-0200
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 722-0200
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Central St. Hosp. Ed. Pr.
Special Education School
West Washington St Extended, B
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 524-7676
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 524-7676
Grades: PK-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Petersburg Regional Alternative
Alternative School
455 Old Wagner Rd., Keys Acade
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 863-2191
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 863-2191
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Southside Va Training Center
Special Education School
Bldg 120, Warehouse West Wash
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 524-7340
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 524-7340
Grades: PK-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
1100 Patterson Street
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7010
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7010
Grades: PK
| 405 students
Petersburg, Virginia Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
1450 Talley Ave
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7016
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7016
Grades: K-5
| 218 students
Blandford Program For Mathematics And Humanities (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
816 E Bank St
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7078
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7078
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
725 Wesley St
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7075
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 862-7075
Grades: 6-8
| 515 students
3101 Homestead Drive
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 862-7020
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 862-7020
Grades: 8-9
| 570 students
3101 Homestead Drive
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 862-7020
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 862-7020
Grades: 6-8
| 542 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Petersburg, VA?
The top ranked public schools in Petersburg, VA include Petersburg High School, Matoaca Middle School and Matoaca Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Petersburg?
14 public schools are located in Petersburg.
What percentage of students in Petersburg go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Petersburg are educated in public schools (compared to the VA state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Petersburg?
Petersburg public schools minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Virginia public schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Petersburg are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Petersburg include: Pleasants Lane Elementary School vs. Cool Spring Elementary School, Walnut Hill Elementary School vs. Cool Spring Elementary School, Lakemont Elementary School vs. Cool Spring Elementary School
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
