First Colonial High

Summary:

First Colonial High is a public magnet high school in Virginia Beach, Virginia, serving 1,797 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Virginia Beach City Public Schools district, which is ranked 27th out of 130 districts in the state and has a 4-star rating.

First Colonial High stands out for its diverse student population, with a racial makeup of 57.71% White, 17.53% African American, 14.19% Hispanic, 1.95% Asian, and 8.24% two or more races. Academically, the school consistently ranks in the top 100 high schools in Virginia, with a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. It performs particularly well in certain student subgroups, ranking 21st out of 314 Virginia high schools for White students and 13th out of 122 for English Language Learner students. The school also has a strong military connection, ranking 7th out of 92 Virginia high schools for military-connected students.

Compared to nearby schools like Salem High, Floyd Kellam High, and Ocean Lakes High, First Colonial High generally outperforms them on SOL test scores, particularly in subjects like Algebra II, Biology, and English Reading. However, the school's growing population of students from lower-income backgrounds, with a free and reduced-price lunch rate of 34.11%, may present challenges that the school needs to address to ensure all students have the resources and support they need to succeed.


Detail:

Public, Magnet 9-12

 1272 Mill Dam Rd
       Virginia Beach, VA  23454-2322


(757) 648-5300

District: Virginia Beach City Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
100th of 329 Virginia High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,149 Help


Feeder schools for First Colonial High:

Elementary:    Alanton Elementary
    King's Grant Elementary
    Kingston Elementary
    Seatack Elementary An Achievable Dream Academy
    More...
Middle:    Lynnhaven Middle

Student/teacher ratio:  17.0 Help
Number of students:  1,797

Racial breakdown:

White:
57.7%
African American:
17.5%
Hispanic:
14.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  34.1% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details First Colonial High ranks better than 69.6% of high schools in Virginia. It also ranks 8th among 12 ranked high schools in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 67.03. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at First Colonial High who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
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Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details First Colonial High has the largest high school student body size in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools District.  (See more...)
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at First Colonial High is $11,149, which is the 6th highest among 12 high schools in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

First Colonial High:

SchoolDigger ranks First Colonial High 100th of 329 Virginia public high schools. (See First Colonial High in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
English Language Learner students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Disabled students:
Military Connected students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Virginia Beach City Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Virginia Beach City Public Schools 27th of 130 Virginia school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for First Colonial High

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Rank History for all students at First Colonial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 66.39 46th 308 85.1%
2006 64.35 61st 314 80.6%
2007 58.67 96th 313 69.3%
2008 63.67 71st 316 77.5%
2009 61.54 89th 313 71.6%
2010 53.62 138th 317 56.5%
2011 56.66 123rd 320 61.6%
2012 57.81 101st 321 68.5%
2013 56.40 112th 321 65.1%
2014 49.75 149th 322 53.7%
2015 56.75 104th 322 67.7%
2016 64.42 70th 321 78.2%
2017 56.98 112th 324 65.4%
2018 62.05 80th 326 75.5%
2019 63.14 77th 327 76.5%
2021 55.06 119th 327 63.6%
2022 59.91 98th 325 69.8%
2023 70.61 80th 326 75.5%
2024 67.03 100th 329 69.6%
See the entire list of Virginia High School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at First Colonial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 50.68 104th 193 46.1%
2024 63.17 65th 198 67.2%
See the entire list of Best Virginia High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at First Colonial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 90.11 13th 122 89.3%
See the entire list of Best Virginia High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at First Colonial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 58.86 134th 320 58.1%
See the entire list of Best Virginia High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at First Colonial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 65.91 102nd 320 68.1%
2024 72.34 67th 322 79.2%
See the entire list of Best Virginia High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at First Colonial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 63.39 86th 249 65.5%
2024 43.30 154th 253 39.1%
See the entire list of Best Virginia High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Military Connected students at First Colonial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 62.64 32nd 92 65.2%
2024 75.20 7th 92 92.4%
See the entire list of Best Virginia High Schools for Military Connected Students!

Rank History for Male students at First Colonial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 71.89 74th 321 76.9%
2024 63.69 118th 322 63.4%
See the entire list of Best Virginia High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at First Colonial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 63.61 83rd 240 65.4%
2024 46.30 152nd 249 39.0%
See the entire list of Best Virginia High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at First Colonial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 54.99 109th 232 53.0%
2024 67.32 63rd 233 73.0%
See the entire list of Best Virginia High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at First Colonial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 71.74 48th 315 84.8%
2024 77.12 21st 314 93.3%
See the entire list of Best Virginia High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Virginia Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

First Colonial High Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Virginia Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a student
Thursday, June 24, 2010

Open Quote i love this school!! Close Quote



Enrollment information for First Colonial High

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1813 1813
1990 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1735 1735
1991 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 1713 1713
1992 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1719 1719
1993 1440 226 42 39 0 n/a n/a 0 1747
1994 1552 307 30 50 0 n/a n/a 0 1939
1995 1366 262 30 29 0 n/a n/a 0 1687
1996 1366 262 30 29 0 n/a n/a 0 1687
1997 1331 276 28 37 2 n/a n/a 0 1674
1998 1424 305 27 44 4 n/a n/a 0 1804
1999 1377 334 40 44 1 n/a n/a 0 1796
2000 1396 342 37 40 3 n/a n/a -4 1814
2001 1450 331 34 38 1 n/a n/a 0 1854
2002 1530 322 47 54 3 n/a n/a 0 1956
2003 1530 322 47 54 3 n/a n/a 0 1956
2004 1573 388 51 62 5 n/a n/a 1 2080
2005 1566 413 55 76 7 n/a n/a 12 2129
2006 1549 430 57 71 11 n/a n/a 41 2159
2007 1565 437 62 77 17 n/a n/a 51 2209
2008 1459 452 60 91 17 n/a n/a 54 2133
2009 1483 433 48 94 15 n/a n/a 42 2115
2010 1432 416 51 100 14 n/a n/a 53 2066
2011 1395 387 38 148 7 2 97 0 2074
2012 1380 341 42 142 5 5 106 0 2021
2013 1297 341 40 171 6 4 119 0 1978
2014 1315 354 45 184 6 6 129 0 2039
2015 1298 376 44 191 7 5 135 0 2056
2016 1241 348 36 208 6 5 133 0 1977
2017 1211 354 35 201 2 6 121 0 1930
2018 1152 316 37 199 2 5 138 0 1849
2019 1156 309 46 198 3 2 164 0 1878
2020 1148 287 47 211 3 1 161 0 1858
2021 1110 281 45 198 3 0 171 0 1808
2022 1068 309 43 232 6 1 148 0 1807
2023 1037 315 35 255 6 1 148 0 1797

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at First Colonial High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 1813 101.7 17.8 n/a
1990 1735 102.8 16.8 n/a
1991 1713 102.6 16.6 n/a
1992 1719 104.5 16.4 n/a
1993 1747 100.8 17.3 n/a
1994 1939 174.4 n/a 9.3
1995 1687 n/a 0.0 14.4
1996 1687 n/a 0.0 14.4
1997 1674 n/a 0.0 14.6
1998 1804 n/a 0.0 13.3
1999 1796 114.0 15.8 16
2000 1814 n/a 0.0 15.6
2001 1854 124.9 14.8 14.4
2002 1956 110.4 17.7 20.9
2003 1956 110.4 17.7 20.9
2004 2080 142.0 14.6 24
2005 2129 141.0 15.1 19.9
2006 2159 138.0 15.6 20.7
2007 2209 140.7 15.7 24.9
2008 2133 118.4 18.0 18.2
2009 2115 112.4 18.8 19.1
2010 2066 104.3 19.8 21.6
2011 2074 104.6 19.8 20.5
2012 2021 127.9 15.7 29
2013 1978 102.4 19.3 22.9
2014 2039 106.3 19.1 26.5
2015 2056 117.0 17.5 27.6
2016 1977 107.0 18.4 27.5
2017 1930 111.5 17.3 28.1
2018 1849 103.0 17.9 29.4
2019 1878 110.3 17.0 29.1
2020 1858 103.2 18.0 29.8
2021 1808 102.4 17.6 n/a
2022 1807 98.9 18.2 30.6
2023 1797 105.5 17.0 34.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio First Colonial High

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 1813 101.7 17.8 n/a
1990 1735 102.8 16.8 n/a
1991 1713 102.6 16.6 n/a
1992 1719 104.5 16.4 n/a
1993 1747 100.8 17.3 n/a
1994 1939 174.4 n/a 9.3
1995 1687 n/a 0.0 14.4
1996 1687 n/a 0.0 14.4
1997 1674 n/a 0.0 14.6
1998 1804 n/a 0.0 13.3
1999 1796 114.0 15.8 16
2000 1814 n/a 0.0 15.6
2001 1854 124.9 14.8 14.4
2002 1956 110.4 17.7 20.9
2003 1956 110.4 17.7 20.9
2004 2080 142.0 14.6 24
2005 2129 141.0 15.1 19.9
2006 2159 138.0 15.6 20.7
2007 2209 140.7 15.7 24.9
2008 2133 118.4 18.0 18.2
2009 2115 112.4 18.8 19.1
2010 2066 104.3 19.8 21.6
2011 2074 104.6 19.8 20.5
2012 2021 127.9 15.7 29
2013 1978 102.4 19.3 22.9
2014 2039 106.3 19.1 26.5
2015 2056 117.0 17.5 27.6
2016 1977 107.0 18.4 27.5
2017 1930 111.5 17.3 28.1
2018 1849 103.0 17.9 29.4
2019 1878 110.3 17.0 29.1
2020 1858 103.2 18.0 29.8
2021 1808 102.4 17.6 n/a
2022 1807 98.9 18.2 30.6
2023 1797 105.5 17.0 34.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for First Colonial High

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $349 (3.5%) $9,717 (96.5%) $10,066
2020 $327 (3.2%) $10,032 (96.8%) $10,359
2021 $725 (6.5%) $10,424 (93.5%) $11,149

Data source: Virginia Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on First Colonial High

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 77th of 327 High schoolsRanks 80th of 326 High schools
 1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
End of Course Writing (First Colonial High)8784
 3%
   End of Course Writing (Virginia Beach City Public Schools)8682
 4%
   End of Course Writing (Virginia)8174
 7%
End of Course Geometry (First Colonial High)9182
 9%
   End of Course Geometry (Virginia Beach City Public Schools)8789
 2%
   End of Course Geometry (Virginia)8380
 3%
End of Course Algebra I (First Colonial High)9679
 17%
   End of Course Algebra I (Virginia Beach City Public Schools)9489
 5%
   End of Course Algebra I (Virginia)8680
 6%
End of Course Algebra II (First Colonial High)9693
 3%
   End of Course Algebra II (Virginia Beach City Public Schools)9593
 2%
   End of Course Algebra II (Virginia)9186
 5%
End of Course Chemistry (First Colonial High)8031
 49%
   End of Course Chemistry (Virginia Beach City Public Schools)7757
 20%
   End of Course Chemistry (Virginia)8864
 24%
End of Course Biology (First Colonial High)8982
 7%
   End of Course Biology (Virginia Beach City Public Schools)8776
 11%
   End of Course Biology (Virginia)8370
 13%
End of Course English Reading (First Colonial High)9092
 2%
   End of Course English Reading (Virginia Beach City Public Schools)9191
   End of Course English Reading (Virginia)8685
 1%
End of Course Geography (First Colonial High)9892
 6%
   End of Course Geography (Virginia Beach City Public Schools)9380
 13%
   End of Course Geography (Virginia)8066
 14%
End of Course VA and US History (First Colonial High)8138
 43%
   End of Course VA and US History (Virginia Beach City Public Schools)7163
 8%
   End of Course VA and US History (Virginia)6838
 30%
End of Course World History I (First Colonial High)7769
 8%
   End of Course World History I (Virginia Beach City Public Schools)7867
 11%
   End of Course World History I (Virginia)8066
 14%
End of Course World History II (First Colonial High)7850
 28%
   End of Course World History II (Virginia Beach City Public Schools)8046
 34%
   End of Course World History II (Virginia)8148
 33%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students18781797
 4.3%
African American309315
 1.9%
American Indian36
 100%
Asian4635
 23.9%
Hispanic198255
 28.8%
Pacific Islander21
 50%
White11561037
 10.3%
Two or More Races164148
 9.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients29.1%34.1%
 5%


Schools Near First Colonial High









Frequently Asked Questions about First Colonial High

First Colonial High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Alanton Elementary
Elementary : King's Grant Elementary
Elementary : Kingston Elementary
Elementary : Seatack Elementary An Achievable Dream Academy
Elementary : W.T. Cooke Elementary
Middle : Lynnhaven Middle

First Colonial High ranks 100th of 329 Virginia high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,797 students attended First Colonial High.

Students at First Colonial High are 58% White, 18% African American, 14% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 2% Asian.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Virginia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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