At a glance
Reported students
549
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
46
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
11.9:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
07–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Virginia middle enrollment
30th percentile
Compared with 340 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
532.5
William E. Waters Middle: 549 reported students.
State peer staffing position
28th percentile
11.9:1 reported; state peer median 13.1:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 568
- Teachers (FTE)
- 51
- Student–teacher ratio
- 11.1:1
What the reported data says about William E. Waters Middle
William E. Waters Middle is a public middle school serving grades 07–08 in Portsmouth. It is one of 23 current school records connected to Portsmouth City Public Schools. NCES reports 549 students for 2024–25.
Among 340 middle schools in Virginia with comparable records, this school is smaller than the reported median of 737.5 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 30th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 11.9:1, close to the Virginia median of 13.1:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Black (65.2%) and White (20.6%). English learners represent 0.9% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 16%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking William E. Waters Middle
- 1How do the reported 11.9:1 student–teacher ratio and 46 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 2 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 0.9%
- Students with disabilities
- 16%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 98.9%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 2
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White20.6%
- Hispanic7.1%
- Black65.2%
- Asian0.4%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.2%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.4%
- Multiracial6.2%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Portsmouth City Public Schools
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Cradock Middle
Middle · Grades 07–08
516 reported students
Churchland Middle
Middle · Grades 07–08
798 reported students
Waterview Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–06
576 reported students
Victory Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–06
586 reported students
Douglass Park Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–06
510 reported students
Churchland Primary & Intermediate
Elementary · Grades KG–06
503 reported students
Public schools near William E. Waters Middle
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cradock Middle Middle · Portsmouth City Public Schools | 07–08 | 516 | 2.4 mi |
| Deep Creek Middle Middle · Chesapeake City Public Schools | 06–08 | 764 | 2.8 mi |
| Jolliff Middle Middle · Chesapeake City Public Schools | 06–08 | 753 | 3.3 mi |
| Hugo A. Owens Middle Middle · Chesapeake City Public Schools | 06–08 | 1,286 | 4.3 mi |
| Crestwood Middle Middle · Chesapeake City Public Schools | 06–08 | 557 | 4.6 mi |
| Oscar Smith Middle Middle · Chesapeake City Public Schools | 06–08 | 967 | 4.7 mi |
Frequently asked questions about William E. Waters Middle
What grades does William E. Waters Middle serve?
William E. Waters Middle reports grades 07–08 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a middle school in Portsmouth City Public Schools.
How many students attend William E. Waters Middle?
William E. Waters Middle reported 549 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 30th percentile among 340 Virginia middle schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 568 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at William E. Waters Middle?
The calculated ratio is 11.9:1, based on 549 students and 46 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Virginia median for the same school level is 13.1:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is William E. Waters Middle a public, charter, or magnet school?
William E. Waters Middle is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Portsmouth City Public Schools attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of William E. Waters Middle students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
98.9% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is William E. Waters Middle in?
William E. Waters Middle is part of Portsmouth City Public Schools, based in Portsmouth, VA, which operates 23 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near William E. Waters Middle?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Cradock Middle (2.4 mi), Deep Creek Middle (2.8 mi), Jolliff Middle (3.3 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.