William E. Waters Middle School (Ranked Bottom 50% for 2025-26)

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William E. Waters Middle School

600 Roosevelt Blvd
Portsmouth, VA 23701

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Serving 562 students in grades 7-8, William E. Waters Middle School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Virginia for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).

The percentage of students achieving is 47% (which is lower than the Virginia state average of 68%). The percentage of students achieving is 70-74% (which is higher than the Virginia state average of 69%).

The student-teacher ratio of 12:1 is lower than the Virginia state level of 14:1.

Minority enrollment is 78% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Virginia state average of 56% (majority Black).

Quick Facts (2025-26)

Grades: 7-8
Enrollment: 562 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
Minority Enrollment: 78%
: Bottom 50% in VA
: 47% (Btm 50%)
: 70-74% (Top 50%)
: 45-49% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

William E. Waters Middle School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Virginia for:

School Overview

William E. Waters Middle School's student population of 562 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

The teacher population of 45 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

Grades Offered

Grades 7-8
(Supplemental Virtual)

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	William E. Waters Middle School
7	311
8	251

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Total Students

562 students

View Data

Total Students Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	William E. Waters Middle School
2023	534
2022	570
2021	523
2020	560
2019	560
2018	572
2017	572
2016	600
2015	602
2014	595
2013	600
2012	599
2011	547
2010	543
2009	592
2008	567
2007	604
2006	671
2005	721
2004	739
2003	777
2002	832
2001	769
2000	735
1999	770
1998	762
1997	757
1996	767
1995	793
1994	896
1993	841
1992	625
1991	609
1990	603
1989	606
1988	611
1987	615

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Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers

45 teachers

View Data

Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1988-2023)
Year	William E. Waters Middle School
2023	43
2022	46
2021	46
2020	43
2019	43
2018	43
2017	43
2016	44
2015	41
2014	42
2013	41
2012	39
2011	32
2010	36
2009	39
2008	39
2007	58
2006	59
2005	53
2004	53
2003	58
2002	52
2001	54
1999	54
1994	47
1993	49
1992	44
1991	43
1990	41
1989	41
1988	41

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School Calendar

School Rankings

William E. Waters Middle School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,773 schools in Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of William E. Waters Middle School is 0.49, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School

State Level (VA)

#1223 out of 1773 schools
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	William E. Waters Middle School
2023	#1223
2022	#947
2021	#947
2019	#1544
2018	#1724
2017	#1746
2016	#1696
2015	#1675
2014	#1406
2013	#1518
2012	#1566

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47%

68%

View Data

Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2010-2023)
Year	William E. Waters Middle School	Virginia	Portsmouth City School District
2023	47%	68%	50%
2021	47%	54%	34%
2019	68%	82%	74%
2017	26%	72%	64%
2016	51%	80%	71%
2015	54%	79%	72%
2014	59%	74%	66%
2013	60%	71%	62%
2012	52%	68%	55%
2011	75%	86%	82%
2010	75%	87%	84%

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(20-21)

70-74%

69%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2010-2021)
Year	William E. Waters Middle School	Virginia	Portsmouth City School District
2021	72%	69%	58%
2019	68%	78%	70%
2018	66%	80%
2017	63%	80%	71%
2016	65%	80%	70%
2015	66%	79%	72%
2014	69%	74%	65%
2013	60%	74%	65%
2012	82%	89%	83%
2011	85%	88%	84%
2010	82%	89%	84%

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(20-21)

45-49%

59%

Student-Teacher Ratio

12:1

14:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1988-2023)
Year	William E. Waters Middle School	Virginia	Portsmouth City School District
2023	12:1	14:1	14:1
2022	12:1	14:1	14:1
2021	11:1	14:1	14:1
2020	13:1	15:1	15:1
2019	13:1	15:1	15:1
2018	13:1	15:1	16:1
2017	13:1	15:1	16:1
2016	14:1	15:1	16:1
2015	15:1	15:1	17:1
2014	14:1	16:1	16:1
2013	15:1	16:1	18:1
2012	15:1	15:1	17:1
2011	17:1	17:1	19:1
2010	15:1	17:1	20:1
2009	15:1	17:1	19:1
2008	15:1	17:1	19:1
2007	10:1	13:1	15:1
2006	11:1	13:1	15:1
2005	14:1	14:1	16:1
2004	14:1	13:1	15:1
2003	13:1	12:1	13:1
2002	16:1	13:1	15:1
2001	14:1	14:1	14:1
1999	14:1	15:1	14:1
1994	19:1	17:1	16:1
1993	17:1	16:1	17:1
1992	14:1	16:1	17:1
1991	14:1	16:1	17:1
1990	15:1	16:1	17:1
1989	15:1	16:1	18:1
1988	15:1	17:1	18:1

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American Indian

n/a

Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2002-2023)
Year	William E. Waters Middle School	Virginia	Portsmouth City School District
2023	1%	7%	1%
2022	1%	7%	1%
2021	1%	8%	1%
2013	1%	7%	1%
2011	2%	7%	2%
2009	1%	7%	1%
2008	1%	6%	1%
2007	1%	6%	1%
2004	1%	6%	2%
2003	1%	5%	1%
2002	1%	5%	1%

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Hispanic

19%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2003-2023)
Year	William E. Waters Middle School	Virginia	Portsmouth City School District
2023	3%	19%	6%
2022	2%	18%	5%
2021	3%	18%	4%
2020	3%	16%	3%
2019	3%	16%	3%
2018	3%	15%	3%
2017	3%	15%	3%
2016	3%	14%	4%
2015	4%	14%	4%
2014	3%	13%	3%
2013	3%	12%	3%
2012	4%	12%	3%
2011	3%	11%	4%
2010	3%	10%	2%
2009	2%	10%	2%
2008	2%	10%	2%
2007	1%	9%	2%
2006	1%	8%	2%
2005	1%	7%	1%
2004	1%	6%	1%
2003	1%	7%	1%

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Black

68%

22%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	William E. Waters Middle School	Virginia	Portsmouth City School District
2023	71%	22%	71%
2022	69%	22%	72%
2021	68%	22%	73%
2020	69%	22%	73%
2019	69%	22%	73%
2018	66%	23%	72%
2017	66%	23%	72%
2016	66%	23%	71%
2015	64%	23%	69%
2014	65%	23%	72%
2013	62%	23%	71%
2012	61%	24%	69%
2011	63%	24%	68%
2010	66%	26%	73%
2009	69%	26%	74%
2008	67%	27%	73%
2007	68%	27%	73%
2006	71%	27%	72%
2005	76%	27%	72%
2004	75%	27%	71%
2003	76%	27%	71%
2002	76%	27%	70%
2001	74%	27%	69%
2000	70%	27%	68%
1999	69%	27%	68%
1998	70%	27%	67%
1997	74%	27%	68%
1996	78%	27%	68%
1995	76%	26%	68%
1994	71%	26%	67%
1993	68%	26%	66%

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White

22%

44%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	William E. Waters Middle School	Virginia	Portsmouth City School District
2023	22%	45%	17%
2022	24%	46%	18%
2021	25%	46%	18%
2020	24%	49%	20%
2019	24%	49%	20%
2018	26%	50%	22%
2017	26%	50%	22%
2016	27%	50%	22%
2015	28%	52%	23%
2014	28%	52%	21%
2013	31%	53%	22%
2012	30%	54%	22%
2011	27%	54%	22%
2010	31%	57%	23%
2009	28%	57%	23%
2008	30%	57%	24%
2007	30%	58%	24%
2006	28%	59%	25%
2005	23%	60%	26%
2004	23%	61%	26%
2003	22%	61%	27%
2002	23%	63%	28%
2001	25%	64%	29%
2000	29%	65%	30%
1999	30%	65%	30%
1998	29%	65%	31%
1997	25%	66%	30%
1996	22%	67%	30%
1995	24%	67%	31%
1994	29%	68%	32%
1993	32%	68%	33%

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Hawaiian

n/a

Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	William E. Waters Middle School	Virginia	Portsmouth City School District
2023	3%	7%	5%
2022	3%	7%	4%
2021	3%	6%	4%
2020	4%	6%	3%
2019	4%	6%	3%
2018	5%	5%	3%
2017	5%	5%	3%
2016	4%	5%	3%
2015	4%	5%	4%
2014	4%	5%	3%
2013	3%	5%	3%

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All Ethnic Groups

0.49

0.72

View Data

Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	William E. Waters Middle School	Virginia	Portsmouth City School District
2023	0.45	0.71	0.47
2022	0.47	0.70	0.45
2021	0.48	0.70	0.44
2020	0.47	0.68	0.44
2019	0.47	0.68	0.44
2018	0.50	0.67	0.44
2017	0.50	0.67	0.44
2016	0.49	0.68	0.45
2015	0.51	0.66	0.45
2014	0.50	0.66	0.45
2013	0.53	0.65	0.46
2012	0.54	0.64	0.48
2011	0.53	0.64	0.48
2010	0.47	0.62	0.41
2009	0.45	0.60	0.41
2008	0.47	0.60	0.41
2007	0.45	0.59	0.41
2006	0.42	0.58	0.42
2005	0.37	0.57	0.41
2004	0.39	0.55	0.42
2003	0.38	0.55	0.43
2002	0.37	0.53	0.44
2001	0.39	0.52	0.44
2000	0.43	0.51	0.45
1999	0.44	0.51	0.45
1998	0.43	0.50	0.46
1997	0.39	0.49	0.45
1996	0.36	0.48	0.45
1995	0.38	0.49	0.45
1994	0.42	0.47	0.46
1993	0.44	0.47	0.46

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Eligible for

100%

55%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (1996-2023)
Year	William E. Waters Middle School	Virginia	Portsmouth City School District
2023	99%	52%	93%
2022	95%	41%	72%
2021	100%	35%	65%
2020	99%	39%	71%
2019	99%	39%	71%
2018	99%	35%	63%
2017	99%	35%	63%
2016	99%	35%	64%
2015	57%	34%	56%
2014	58%	33%	57%
2013	55%	32%	53%
2012	63%	32%	62%
2011	53%	31%	52%
2010	52%	29%	50%
2009	45%	26%	47%
2008	43%	25%	43%
2007	43%	24%	43%
2006	46%	24%	44%
2005	49%	24%	42%
2004	49%	23%	44%
2003	47%	23%	48%
2002	47%	23%	46%
2001	43%	21%	47%
2000	37%	23%	46%
1999	44%	24%	53%
1998	39%	24%	47%
1997	43%	24%	49%
1996	38%	24%	47%

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Eligible for (14-15)

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (1999-2015)
Year	William E. Waters Middle School	Virginia	Portsmouth City School District
2015	8%	6%	6%
2014	6%	6%	6%
2013	7%	6%	7%
2012	9%	7%	8%
2011	8%	6%	6%
2010	7%	7%	6%
2009	8%	7%	7%
2008	7%	7%	6%
2007	6%	7%	7%
2006	10%	7%	7%
2005	9%	7%	7%
2004	10%	7%	8%
2003	11%	7%	9%
2002	9%	7%	9%
2001	12%	7%	9%
2000	9%	7%	9%
1999	9%	6%	8%

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School Statewide Testing

School District Name

Portsmouth City School District

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education

Profile last updated: 02/09/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What is William E. Waters Middle School's ranking?

William E. Waters Middle School is ranked #1223 out of 1,773 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Virginia.

What schools are William E. Waters Middle School often compared to?

William E. Waters Middle Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Churchland Middle School, Cradock Middle School by visitors of our site.

What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?

47% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 68% VA state average), while 70-74% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 69% VA state average).

How many students attend William E. Waters Middle School?

562 students attend William E. Waters Middle School.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

68% of William E. Waters Middle School students are Black, 22% of students are White, 5% of students are Two or more races, 4% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are Asian.

What is the student-teacher ratio of William E. Waters Middle School?

William E. Waters Middle School has a student ration of 12:1, which is lower than the Virginia state average of 14:1.

What grades does William E. Waters Middle School offer ?

William E. Waters Middle School offers enrollment in grades 7-8 (Supplemental Virtual).

What school district is William E. Waters Middle School part of?

William E. Waters Middle School is part of Portsmouth City School District.

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Quick Facts (2025-26)

Grades: 7-8
Enrollment: 562 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
Minority Enrollment: 78%
: Bottom 50%
: 47% (Btm 50%)
: 70-74% (Top 50%)
: 45-49% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education