Education

There are no DODDS or private schools on any installation in the Hampton Roads region.

Alternative Schools

Alternative education programs are available in all Hampton Roads public schools. These are generally schools whose educational philosophies are different from traditional programs. Typically, alternative schools have small classes, social and emotional development curriculum, and self-paced academic curriculum. This title is used officially as well as informally to describe a wide range of schools, so it's important to ask specific schools why they are classified as "alternative."

Magnet Schools

These are schools that focus on certain program of study; i.e. Environmental Sciences, Art, Music as well as general studies. Contact the school district your child will be attending to get specific information on requirements and enrollment.

Home Schooling

Another option is for the parents to teach their children at home instead of sending them to a public or private school. Each state has different laws governing home schooling. Many communities have organizations that assist home schooling families with curriculum and opportunities to meet other homeschooled students. Homeschooling your child requires registration with the local school district or the Virginia Department of Education.

Private School

There are many private school options in the Hampton Roads area which include, but are not limited to, Montessori, religious affiliation, and Special Education. The Virginia Council for Private Education provides a complete listing of private school options for the state of Virginia. Additionally, The Private School Review can provide a listing of all private schools by city.

The Governor's School

The Virginia's Governor's School Program, which began in 1973 when Governor Linwood Holton established the first summer residential programs for 400 gifted students across the Commonwealth, is still strong today. With the support of the Virginia Board of Education and the General Assembly, the Governor's schools have expanded to not only include summer programs, but summer regional and academic year programs. These programs serve more than 7,500 gifted/talented students from all parts of the Commonwealth. Each school creates a program tailored to meet the needs of its gifted high school students. Gifted students are able to explore and accelerate in areas ranging from arts, to government and international studies, global economics, mathematics, science and technology. Students are involved in classroom and laboratory work, field studies, research, individual and group projects, performances, and seminars with noted scholars, visiting artists and other professionals. For additional information regarding the Governor’s School programs, please visit: http://www.doe.virginia.gov.

School Liaison Program

The School Liaison is located at NSA Hampton Roads- Northwest Annex-Portsmouth Annex (Bldg. 272, 1099 Holcomb Road, Portsmouth VA 23708) and can be reached at 757-921-5876.

Navy School Liaisons support school and community partnerships which promote the academic, social, and emotional success of military-connected children.

The following school districts service Hampton Roads. Chesapeake Public Schools service NSA HR Northwest Annex.

In accordance with Governor Youngkin's Executive Order 33, all Virginia Public Schools will be cell phone-free "from bell to bell" beginning on January 1, 2025.

A number of private schools are also available in the area:

• Chesapeake Public Schools
• Norfolk Public Schools
• Virginia Beach Public Schools
• Portsmouth Public Schools
• Suffolk Public Schools
• Currituck County Public Schools

No matter where you live in Hampton Roads, you will find superior schools and specialty programs to serve you. Whether you are looking for elementary, middle, or high schools, gifted/talented programs, magnet schools or special education centers, you're sure to find what's right for your family. Additionally, private schools, private pre-schools and kindergarten facilities throughout the region provide parents with abundant educational choices. All public schools run a 180 day calendar year, with at least 2 major breaks (Winter & Spring) during the year. Most schools in the area offer before school programs for the elementary students, as well as free/reduced lunch programs, school sports programs, and special education classes.

Registration Requirements

To register children for school, you will need to bring the following documents:

• Birth Certificate or Birth Certificate Affidavit
• School Physical: Note: It is strongly recommended to complete the school physical for your elementary-aged child PRIOR to transitioning to your new school district.  The school physical is required for elementary students; Kindergarten through 5^th grade
• Immunization Record (Military-connected students have an extra 30 days to provide this documentation per the Virginia Interstate Compact
• Proof of residency (current gas, water or electric bill in your name) showing usage within the last 30 days.  If you do not have a utility bill that shows 30 days of usage, contact the student enrollment office for your school district for more information. 
• It is also encouraged to bring your child’s unofficial records, including the last report card and school schedule.

Children entering kindergarten must be age 5 on or before 30 September of the enrollment year.  

Contact the appropriate school district for additional information on registration requirements, specific educational opportunities and extracurricular activities.

Transportation

For many local Hampton Roads school districts, students who live one (1) or more miles away from their zoned school are provided with school bus transportation.  After school Activity Buses are provided at most area high schools. 

In accordance with Governor Youngkin's Executive Order 33, all Virginia Public Schools will be cell phone-free "from bell to bell" beginning on January 1, 2025. 

There are many private school options in the Hampton Roads area which include, but are not limited to, Montessori, religious affiliation, and Special Education. The Virginia Council for Private Education provides a complete listing of private school options for the state of Virginia. Additionally, The Private School Review can provide a listing of all private schools by city at https://www.doe.virginia.gov/parents-students/for-parents/private-schools.

Another option is for the parents to teach their children at home instead of sending them to a public or private school. Each state has different laws governing home schooling. Many communities have organizations that assist home schooling families with curriculum and opportunities to meet other homeschooled students. Homeschooling your child requires registration with the local school district or the Virginia Department of Education. www.doe.virginia.gov

The School Liaison is located at NSA Hampton Roads-Portsmouth Annex building 272, 1099 Holcomb Road, Portsmouth VA 23708 and can be reached at 757-921-5876.

Navy School Liaisons support school and community partnerships which promote the academic, social, and emotional success of military-connected children.

Norfolk Public Schools - 800 East City Hall Avenue Norfolk, VA 23510-2723; Phone: 757-628-3830.

Norfolk Public Schools includes 37 Elementary Schools, 9 Middle Schools and 5 High Schools. Student population is 32,275; Teacher - 2,335 / Student/Teacher Ratio = 22/1.

Norfolk Public Schools include; Full-day preschool (3 & 4yr old) and Kindergarten classes, Arts and Sciences Secondary Extended Day Program, Gifted Programs, Advance Placement Programs, Dual Enrollment Programs, Governor's School, International Baccalaureate courses, TECH-PREP Program and Norfolk Technical Vocational Center, Adult Education, Open Campus – Magic Johnson Bridgescape Academy and many Sports Programs and Clubs.

Virginia Beach Public Schools - 2512 George Mason Virginia Beach, VA 23456-0038; Phone: 757-263-1000/FAX: 757-263-1011.

The Virginia Beach City Public Schools, in partnership with the entire community, will empower every student to become a life-long learner who is a responsible, productive and engaged citizen within the global community. VBCPS includes 55 elementary schools, 15 middle schools, 11 high schools and 4 Specialty Centers. The student population is 67,789 with 26.6% military connected. There are 5,115 teachers in the division with a 25:1 student to teacher ratio. There are 6 academy programs at the high school level: Health Sciences Academy, Legal Studies Academy, Governor's STEM & Technology Academy, Visual and Performing Arts Academy, Global Studies and World Languages Academy and Entrepreneurship and Business Academy. Advanced Academic Programs include an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, a Math and Science Academy and the Middle Years International Baccalaureate Program. VBCPS also provides special education services, a distance learning program, and many extracurricular programs, clubs and activities.

Chesapeake Public Schools - 312 Cedar Road Chesapeake, VA 23322-5514; Phone: 757-547-0153

Chesapeake Public Schools include 28 Elementary Schools, 10 Middle Schools and 6 High Schools with a student population of 39,943. Chesapeake Public Schools include a variety of educational programs to meet the needs of every student. Check out the following link for more information: http://cpschools.com

Portsmouth Public Schools - P801 Crawford Street, Portsmouth VA 23705-0998: Phone: 757-393-8751/FAX: 757-393-5238.

Portsmouth Public Schools consist of 4 Preschools, 13 Elementary Schools, 3 Middle Schools, 3 High Schools, Career & Technical Center and 1 Alternative School. Student population is 14,823 / Teachers - 1,023 / Student/Teacher Ratio = 15/1. Portsmouth Public Schools include: A-Good Start Preschool Program, Full Day Kindergarten, Advanced Studies Program, High School Dual Enrollment, Magnet Programs, Special Education Services, Gifted and Talented Programs, Sports Programs, Clubs and Excel School for High School Students age 17 and above and adults seeking credits are a GED. PPS.K12.VA.US

Suffolk Public Schools - 100 N. Main Street Suffolk, VA 23434-4529; Phone: 757-925-6750/FAX: 757-925-6751.

Suffolk Public Schools consists of 11 Elementary Schools, 4 Middle Schools and 3 High Schools. Student population is 14,245 / Teachers - 1,144 / Student/Teacher Ratio = 25/1. Suffolk Public Schools include: Early Start Program for at-risk 4 year olds, Full-day Kindergarten, Advance Placement Classes, Dual Enrollment Classes, Adult Education (The Center for Lifelong Learning), Sports Programs and clubs. They also have Specialized Programs that consist of the International Baccalaureate, Biomedical Services and Engineering.

Virginia Standards of Learning

The Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools describe the expectations for student learning and achievement in grades K-12 in English, mathematics, science, history/social science, technology, the fine arts, foreign language, health and physical education, and driver education. SOL scores have become an important tool for the state to see how well the schools are educating the children. Students must earn the required number of verified units of credit to receive a high school diploma. Please see Virginia Department of Education at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/ for further information.

DODDS Schools

There are no DODDS or private schools on any installation in the Hampton Roads region.

The Governor's School

The Virginia's Governor's School Program, which began in 1973 when Governor Linwood Holton established the first summer residential programs for 400 gifted students across the Commonwealth, is still strong today. With the support of the Virginia Board of Education and the General Assembly, the Governor's schools have expanded to not only include summer programs, but summer regional and academic year programs. These programs serve more than 7,500 gifted/talented students from all parts of the Commonwealth. Each school creates a program tailored to meet the needs of its gifted high school students. Gifted students are able to explore and accelerate in areas ranging from arts, to government and international studies, global economics, mathematics, science and technology. Students are involved in classroom and laboratory work, field studies, research, individual and group projects, performances, and seminars with noted scholars, visiting artists and other professionals. For additional information regarding the Governor’s School programs, please visit: http://www.doe.virginia.gov.

Magnet Schools

These are schools that focus on certain program of study; i.e. Environmental Sciences, Art, Music as well as general studies. Contact the school district your child will be attending to get specific information on requirements and enrollment.

Alternative Schools

Alternative education programs are available in all Hampton Roads public schools. These are generally schools whose educational philosophies are different from traditional programs. Typically, alternative schools have small classes, social and emotional development curriculum, and self-paced academic curriculum. This title is used officially as well as informally to describe a wide range of schools, so it's important to ask specific schools why they are classified as "alternative."