2024 Best School Districts in the Richmond Area

• Goochland, VA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.47 out of 5  19 reviews

Senior: I have great teachers as well as friends. I am provided good opportunities and resources. The learning environment is friendly and helpful, allowing a great start to life.... Read 19 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 5

• Students 2,595

• Ashland, VA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.8 out of 5  70 reviews

Senior: The greatest thing I like about Hanover county public schools is that they value education. They have great quality teachers and resources that really benefit the students. Most, if not all, my teachers were willing to come before school or stay after class to help me certain topics I struggled with. The teachers always hold us accountable, which helps us students achieve our full potential. One thing I think HCPS can improve on is their inclusiveness and diversity. Their schools are not very diverse in terms of race, and have also voted against gender neutral bathrooms which provide a safe atmosphere for trans-students.... Read 70 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 25

• Students 16,863

• Powhatan, VA•

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  Rating 4.38 out of 5  45 reviews

Alum: It was a great school with friendly staff that did everything and more to send me off for success. I couldn't have asked for kinder classmates, more helpful teachers, and more impactful and inspiring role models.... Read 45 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 6

• Students 4,295

• Chesterfield, VA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.97 out of 5  224 reviews

Parent: My children have been with Chesterfield County Schools since kindergarten and my oldest recently graduated from High School. Chesterfield has done a great job teaching and preparing my children for each grade level. From the teachers to the Administrators and Staff, I have truly enjoyed our experience. I am also a proud alumni of Chesterfield County Schools and I look back favorably over my experiences. The best part now is the diversity and the various specialty centers. The worst part is a lot of the schools are overcrowded due to the increased amount of people moving into the community. I would like to see more diverse Administrators and teachers as I truly feel like representation matters.... Read 224 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 70

• Students 62,445

• Colonial Heights, VA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.11 out of 5  36 reviews

Senior: I am so fortunate to attend Colonial Heights Public Schools since kindergarten. Colonial Heights is a smaller school system, so classrooms are smaller with roughly 21 students per class. Because of smaller class sizes, teachers are able to develop a better understanding of their students and are not stretched thin because of larger class sizes. It wasn’t until the sixth grade, my English teacher noticed my unique thinking style and recommended me to the gifted program. During my middle school years, I had the pleasure to have creative teachers who pushed me to think for myself and problem solve. My middle school years were so rewarding and positively impacted me during the not so easy, crucial years of my life! If I have to say one thing negative about my school it would they are definitely behind when it comes to dual enrollment. Most of the surrounding areas offer this program and graduating seniors have the opportunity to graduate with an associate degree.... Read 36 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 6

• Students 2,786

• Henrico, VA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.05 out of 5  203 reviews

Senior: My experience going to Henrico County Public Schools was a very changing experience for me. Which made me grow into the person I am today. The schools that I went to in Henrico were nicely kept and clean. Thanks to the amazing janitors. Most of the teachers were very supportive, helpful, and taught well to the kids. Very rarely was a teacher not caring. The kids I went to school with came from many different cultures and backgrounds. So it was very diverse. The kids themselves I would say had their own groups and friends, I rarely gotten or seen anyone get bullied. If there were any fights staff would be quick on to break them up. At school, we also practiced safety regularly and did fire drills, hide and lock drills, etc monthly. I would say that I felt mostly safe at Henrico County Public Schools.... Read 203 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 81

• Students 49,991

• Prince George, VA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.6 out of 5  80 reviews

Senior: I believe that the community is very hospitable. The majority of the community makes effort to include everyone in all events. Many of the students are highlighted for things such as academics, club participation, and overall kindness. However, the district can find better ways to deal with more serious situations that affect everyone.... Read 80 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 7

• Students 6,139

• Dinwiddie, VA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.84 out of 5  25 reviews

Junior: Dinwiddie High School is a rather large school with approximately 1,400 students. Despite that large number, every student is a part of a southern, caring community. This school does not have many fights and has little to no bullying. Our School spirit is remarkable especially when it comes to football and other sports; stands are packed, concessions sell out, and the crowd is flooded with students and community members wearing school colors. The teachers truly care for student's success regardless of if they know them. I personally can say that I feel safe here, which says a lot especially considering high school safety concerns these days.... Read 25 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 7

• Students 4,189

• Stony Creek, VA•

• School District

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  Rating 4 out of 5  8 reviews

Alum: The faculty and staff there are really great, I enjoyed my time there. I loved all of my teachers, they tried their best to prepare me for college.... Read 8 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 3

• Students 975

• New Kent, VA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.87 out of 5  30 reviews

Senior: My experience at New Kent High School has been an exciting adventure. On my first day, I was so scared that the upperclassmen would bully me or make fun of me, just like much other lower classmen thought as well. I also had extreme difficulty navigating the hallways because I missed orientation but the welcoming and kind students helped greatly and proved my beliefs wrong. The school's academics also gave me extraordinary benefits in preparing me for college. I was able to enroll in an "Early College Program" through Rappahannock Community College which enabled me to truly challenge my abilities by taking all AP and DE as well as online college classes. This program allows me to earn my Associate's Degree when I graduate in May which I think has significantly prepared me for my future. In the end, I'm so thankful that I was able to go to New Kent High School.... Read 30 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 4

• Students 3,272

• Amelia, VA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.54 out of 5  13 reviews

Senior: I enjoyed my time at Amelia County Public Schools. I like the small size because there is tailored focus for students. Also, I liked the college classes they provided.... Read 13 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 3

• Students 1,635

• King William, VA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.16 out of 5  25 reviews

Alum: I had a great 4 years at King William High School. While King William county is rural, it is also diverse and has a small town community feel. Everyone knows each others name and cares for one another. King William High School, though only being a 2A school, gives each and every student a chance to explore and find new activities that they enjoy, whether that be sports, music, art, or S.T.E.M. Personally, I enjoyed taking photography because it was relaxing, allowed me to be creative, and exposed me to the fine arts. I was able to play soccer for 5 years and run cross country for 2 years. Both sports benefited me with great coaching staffs as well as opportunities for teamwork and leadership. Just as importantly, King William High School prepared me academically for college. I had the support and guidance of many great teachers. I was able to take both dual enrollment and advanced placement courses, that would in turn, help prepare me for an engineering major at Virginia Tech.... Read 25 reviews

• grade C+

• Total schools 4

• Students 1,983

• Richmond, VA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.25 out of 5  65 reviews

Junior: I have been in RPS since I was younger and I love the sense of community provided as you age with the schools. Although some situations are handled poorly and the school board does not seem to take criticism or any type of suggestion well, it is a pretty decent school district.... Read 65 reviews

• grade C+

• Total schools 54

• Students 21,177

• Bowling Green, VA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.3 out of 5  30 reviews

Senior: People in Caroline genuinely care about one another. There are teachers, administrators, and outside club leaders that do show that they care and love the students/people of Caroline. There are also many small businesses close to the schools that are wonderful for eating, exercising, and socializing with other people of the county! :)... Read 30 reviews

• grade C

• Total schools 5

• Students 4,238

• Hopewell, VA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.86 out of 5  36 reviews

Other: Very good school to attend, the students as well as the staff, teach me something new everyday. I worked one- one with many different teachers, and It was a challenge, but I was happy to see the progress I made everyday.... Read 36 reviews

• grade C minus

• Total schools 7

• Students 4,075

• Charles City, VA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.14 out of 5  7 reviews

Alum: Charles City High is a great school. The size of the county makes the bonds between kids stronger, and they love to support each other. The school system is small and in that aspect there could be some improvement. They are in serious need for teachers and staff who are interested in the kids futures.... Read 7 reviews

• grade C minus

• Total schools 2

• Students 528

• Petersburg, VA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.28 out of 5  29 reviews

Senior: The worst experience I have had at school was witnessing school fights. The best experience I have had was when I was selected to do dual enrollment at Richard Bland College. I would like to see more educational, vocational. and economic opportunities in my school and city.... Read 29 reviews

• grade D

• Total schools 7

• Students 4,178