Source
r/Chesapeake•
iamazygon

Info on Chesapeake High Schools

Hi everyone! My family is moving to Hampton Roads after the new year (focusing in on Chesapeake or VA Beach, haven't decided yet) and we are trying to figure out what school district we want to be in. I know first hand that the "Good Schools" ratings online aren't always the best or most accurate, so I would love to know what school districts to focus on. I know that Grassfield and Hickory are good just from talking with other people, but I am interested in hearing everyone's thoughts on the others as well. We would hate to accidentally move into an area with a crummy school district when we are not really interested in paying for private school.

Posted Dec 21, 2021, 6:54 PM UTC

1221
i-hear-banjos•

Don’t sleep on Western Branch HS.

Edit: we moved into the WB school district for the track and cross country teams (more than 10 years ago, kids graduated in 2012.) There is plenty of opportunity for kids to excel at WBHS in a variety of ways; my kids went to UVA and Vandy, and a lot of their friends have also done exceptionally well. It’s also a very diverse school, and doesn’t have the snobby vibe some other schools seem to suffer from.

11
iamazygonOP•

Thanks for this info!!! I have been really drawn to some of the homes in the western branch district.

5
i-hear-banjos•

It’s also fairly central to Norfolk, northern Suffolk, and the Peninsula. I work in Norfolk and we spend a lot of time there for food and entertainment, so that was important to us. The area only lacks in great local restaurants (plenty of chains) but is also very close to downtown Portsmouth - where there are some great places to dine, Gosport Tavern and Still Eclectic Worldly Tapas being my faves.

2
[deleted]•

I second this. I purposely bought in WB district of Chesapeake. E.W Chittum (elementary school) is also going to be brand new next year. Chesapeake is starting to catch up on investing in others schools besides Grassfield, Great Bridge and Hickory.

4
[deleted]•

[deleted]

6
iamazygonOP•

Thanks for the info! My kid is admittedly very young, but we are planning on buying and staying put (moving sucks!) so we are looking at the quality of all levels of schooling. It’s too early to predict if he will be an honors kid at this point lol.

2
Jackman_Bingo•

I went to Indian River, and we purchased our home in the school district in anticipation that our children will go there. It doesn't score well on the ratings, but it was a great school for me.

5
iamazygonOP•

Can you tell me what you liked about it?

2
Jackman_Bingo•

I had a good experience. I hopped around activities and went from being a slacker to serious about my grades. Had some really great teachers - some are still there. Plenty of my classmates went on to good colleges & have good careers. Ultimately you get out what you put into it.

Fun fact: My principal at the time was Mr. Frye (retired), who was parodied by Jay Pharoah on SNL. The SNL version is toned down but his true impression is spot on.

1
HomerPimpson304•

I didnt go there but i was familiar with the guy haha legendary

1
rawr_gunter•

My dad bought in Kemp Woods a few years ago which was slated for Indian River District. Asked him why he bought there and he said "because all the kids were in college so he didn't have to worry about sending us to private school, so he was able to get a homearama house for cheap because it was in a terrible school district."

1
Jackman_Bingo•

He could of bought a better house in a crappier school district.

1
riotoustripod•

There is no high school in Chesapeake j wouldn't consider sending my kid to, and I've lived here my entire life. Anyone will tell you Grassfield and Hickory are the clear top-tier options, but housing in those areas tends to be fairly expensive. My next choice would be Great Bridge, followed by Western Branch.

4
rawr_gunter•

If you're stuck I'm Chesapeake, Hickory and Great Brodge are the best. Grassfield is good because they bus in the smart kids from other districts.

Move to Virginia Beach and go to Cox or FC.

4
iamazygonOP•

We are also looking in VB, but I’m more familiar with those schools since I have family with kids there. I assume you mean Kellum for “FC”? Keeping all our options open!

1
rawr_gunter•

FC = First Colonial.

Forgot about Kellam. That was all hicks when I was in school, but with the homes around West Neck it is up there now. South Gate, Foxfire, and Three Oaks are solid middle class neighborhoods in that district.

2
iamazygonOP•

Awesome!! Thank you!!

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

2
stuck_10CN8V•

If I could do it over again, I would probably pick Western Branch (currently in one of the more popular areas previously mentioned). Possibly Norfolk just for the extra diversity and opportunity of a different lifestyle for the kids.

1
iamazygonOP•

Thanks!! We did a couple drives and I think western branch is just a little too far of a commute for me. I totally agree on the Norfolk thing- I love old homes and the houses in some of the neighbors are beautiful. But we just moved here from Baltimore city and we are trying to find something a little more suburban for our son so he can ride a bike and play flashlight tag in a neighborhood with friends. We loved living in a city but we are ready for a little change of pace 🤍

1
stuck_10CN8V•

Great Bridge might be good for that and more ‘blue collar’ than Hickory. There are also the areas around Great Neck and Little Neck in VB that I liked. I guess it just depends on where you are commuting to. Traffic can be a big issue. I feel that I put way too much emphasis on the right schools and neighborhoods for my kids over all our years of moving. Instead of on the actual quality of life. So proximity to restaurants, parks, things to do, learning opportunities outside of school, diversity (socioeconomic and cultural), activities you might be interested in exploring later both for you and your kids…Chesapeake itself is pretty boring when it comes to those things.

1
iamazygonOP•

Yeah we have been doing some driving around and are feeling a little more drawn to VA Beach. We will see where we end up!! Thank you 🤍

1
Ginger-b-Snappn•

Grassfield High School is amazing! I live in the district

1