| Index | Portsmouth | Virginia | National |
| Average Test Scores | 71% | 79% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 14:1 | 13:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 27 | 1,596 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 8 | 553 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | 2 | 199 | 7,963 |
| Index | Portsmouth | Virginia | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 80.8% | 85.9% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 79.2% | 84.7% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 55.4% | 64.1% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 29.2% | 44.2% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 21.1% | 36.9% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 7.4% | 15.7% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 1.9% | 4.2% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 0.8% | 1.7% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 27 public schools, 8 private schools and 2 post-secondary schools in Portsmouth. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Portsmouth, VA schools is 71%. The average student to teacher ratio is 14:1. In Portsmouth, VA, an average of 80.8% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 79.2% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Chesapeake, VA | 242,647 | 82% | 71.8% |
| Carrollton, VA | 6,340 | 82% | 70.8% |
| Hampton, VA | 135,169 | 76% | 58.4% |
| Norfolk, VA | 244,300 | 68% | 40.8% |
| Portsmouth, VA | 94,961 | 71% | 48.6% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| South Gate, CA | 94,905 | 37% | 22.6% |
| Roswell, GA | 94,884 | 58% | 19.8% |
| Hesperia, CA | 95,163 | 29% | 39.0% |
| Sunrise, FL | 94,657 | 53% | 9.9% |
| New Bedford, MA | 95,355 | 39% | 19.6% |
| Portsmouth, VA | 94,961 | 71% | 48.6% |
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