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GreatSchools Rating

Spotswood High School

Public | 9-12 | 847 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
Based on 1 rating

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8 reviews of this school


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Posted June 1, 2011

This school is definitely a small town high school. There are very few programs available during or after school. There is only Advanced Placement Class available. This school will need to grow a lot to become a good school.


Posted July 24, 2010

I graduated from SHS in 1993 and enjoyed the social experience. My academic preparation left a little to be desired. Case in point: I took a basic grammar exam my first day of law school and received the third lowest score of the entering class. Maybe I shouldn't point the finger at the school but should point the thumb back at the sometimes lazy student instead. But I still feel like other kids were better prepared than I was.


Posted August 17, 2007

Great sports programs, great band, awesome after school activities, friendly and helpful staff, amazing teachers, nice facility, wonderful school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 12, 2006

I'am a former student and I graduated from spotswood in 2004. I really enjoyed my time there and already miss spotswood. All the teachers were great and strived to get each student involved and did everything possible to help each student succeed. As for the administration they did't seem to be interested or involved.
—Submitted by a former student


Posted March 4, 2006

As a student, I can honestly say Spotswood High School is the best! Many schools in the area seem to be focused primarily on athletic achievement. While Spotswood does have a great athletics program, I've always felt the message to be that academics were of more importance. The teachers and administration are all very friendly and are willing to do what it takes to help a student succeed. As a senior I'm saddened to leave such a great place. Like an extra family, they work day-in and day-out to shape each student's character into something beautifully unique - a rare thing these days.
—Submitted by a student


Posted October 7, 2005

Spotswood was a lackluster school with less than helpful administration. I was a transfer student and the administration was more interested in my achieving two years of gym class before I graduated than what type of academic programs I was interested in taking. The community as a whole was very unwelcoming to new students. The teachers were very nice, but much of the work lacked opportunities for academic achievement beyond the standard.
—Submitted by a former student


Posted September 9, 2005

As a student that attends Spotswood, I must say that it is a warm and inviting place to attend school. The principals and faculty are very involved with the students, and try to get along with each and every one of us on a personal level. The teachers are the same way. They are all fun and really dedicated to helping you pass. You can tell they really enjoy their jobs. There are a lot of things you can do in Spotswood with sports and extracurricular activities, and Spotswood does not lack in coaching ability. All of our coaches are top-notch, and are all dedicated as well. Many money raised is sent to these departments, and all are kept in good condition. Overall, I think Spotswood is an awesome school that grows every year.
—Submitted by a student


Posted September 9, 2003

Spotswood High School is a wonderful school that has educated, focused, and hard-working teachers and students. The principals there provide a safe and fun environment for learning, and the students and staff all have great personalities and character!


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
  • In 2009-2010, this school was rated "Fully Accredited".
  • In 2008-2009, this school was rated "Fully Accredited".
  • In 2007-2008, this school was rated "Fully Accredited".

About the tests


Virginia school accreditation ratings reflect student achievement on Standards of Learning (SOL) tests and other assessments in English, history/social science, math and science. The 2009-2010 ratings are based on passing rates on tests taken during the 2008-2009 school year or on overall achievement during the three most recent years. Schools are identified as either Fully Accredited, Accredited with Warning, Conditionally Accredited or Accreditation Denied.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 75% in 2012.

173 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
97%

2010

 
 
98%

2009

 
 
96%

2008

 
 
92%
Algebra II

The state average for Algebra II was 69% in 2012.

155 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
84%

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
97%

2009

 
 
96%

2008

 
 
99%
Biology

The state average for Biology was 92% in 2012.

204 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
96%

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
94%

2009

 
 
93%

2008

 
 
92%
Chemistry

The state average for Chemistry was 93% in 2012.

133 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
100%

2011

 
 
95%

2010

 
 
99%

2009

 
 
98%

2008

 
 
98%
Earth Science

The state average for Earth Science was 90% in 2012.

207 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
94%

2011

 
 
94%

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
90%

2008

 
 
91%
English: Reading

The state average for English: Reading was 94% in 2012.

190 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
97%

2010

 
 
94%

2009

 
 
97%

2008

 
 
98%
English: Writing

The state average for English: Writing was 93% in 2012.

187 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
95%

2011

 
 
94%

2010

 
 
97%

2009

 
 
96%

2008

 
 
97%
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 74% in 2012.

226 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
94%

2009

 
 
94%

2008

 
 
94%
Virginia and United States History

The state average for Virginia and United States History was 85% in 2012.

178 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
81%

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
94%

2009

 
 
96%

2008

 
 
96%
World Geography

The state average for World Geography was 85% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
89%

2008

 
 
89%
World History I

The state average for World History I was 84% in 2012.

48 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
n/a

2008

 
 
n/a
World History II

The state average for World History II was 85% in 2012.

206 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
81%

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
85%

2009

 
 
83%

2008

 
 
91%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) End-of-Course tests to assess students in reading, writing, math, science and history/social science subjects at the end of each course, regardless of the student's grade level. The SOL End-of-Course tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. High school students must pass at least six SOL End-of-Course tests to graduate. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

Algebra I

All Students75%
Female students83%
Male students69%
Black studentsn/a
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic59%
White students78%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged60%
Not economically disadvantaged86%
Students with disabilities25%
Students without disabilities79%
Limited English proficient students60%
Proficient in English77%
Not migrant75%

Algebra II

All Students84%
Female students80%
Male students88%
Black studentsn/a
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic81%
White students86%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged67%
Not economically disadvantaged88%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Students without disabilities84%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English85%
Not migrant84%

Biology

All Students96%
Female students94%
Male students98%
Black studentsn/a
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic90%
White students99%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged91%
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Students with disabilities70%
Students without disabilities97%
Limited English proficient students79%
Proficient in English97%
Not migrant96%

Chemistry

All Students100%
Female students100%
Male students100%
Black studentsn/a
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic100%
White students100%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged100%
Not economically disadvantaged100%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Students without disabilities100%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English100%
Not migrant100%

Earth Science

All Students94%
Female students94%
Male students93%
Black studentsn/a
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic90%
White students95%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged86%
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Students with disabilities45%
Students without disabilities96%
Limited English proficient students89%
Proficient in English94%
Not migrant94%

English: Reading

All Students92%
Female students91%
Male students93%
Black studentsn/a
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic92%
White students93%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged88%
Not economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilities64%
Students without disabilities94%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English93%
Not migrant92%

English: Writing

All Students95%
Female students96%
Male students95%
Black studentsn/a
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic89%
White students97%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged88%
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Students with disabilities73%
Students without disabilities97%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English96%
Not migrant95%

Geometry

All Students92%
Female students91%
Male students93%
Black studentsn/a
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic94%
American Indian studentsn/a
White students92%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged92%
Not economically disadvantaged92%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Students without disabilities92%
Limited English proficient students93%
Proficient in English92%
Not migrant92%

Virginia and United States History

All Students81%
Female students77%
Male students86%
Black studentsn/a
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic80%
White students82%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged65%
Not economically disadvantaged88%
Students with disabilities58%
Students without disabilities83%
Limited English proficient students40%
Proficient in English84%
Not migrant81%

World Geography

All Studentsn/a
Female studentsn/a
Male studentsn/a
Black studentsn/a
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanicn/a
White studentsn/a
Students identified as economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Students without disabilitiesn/a
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in Englishn/a
Not migrantn/a

World History I

All Students92%
Female students84%
Male students100%
Black studentsn/a
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanicn/a
White students100%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged87%
Not economically disadvantaged94%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Students without disabilities92%
Limited English proficient studentsn/a
Proficient in English93%
Not migrant92%

World History II

All Students81%
Female students75%
Male students86%
Black studentsn/a
Asian studentsn/a
Hispanic44%
White students88%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged63%
Not economically disadvantaged90%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Students without disabilities83%
Limited English proficient students48%
Proficient in English85%
Not migrant81%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) End-of-Course tests to assess students in reading, writing, math, science and history/social science subjects at the end of each course, regardless of the student's grade level. The SOL End-of-Course tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. High school students must pass at least six SOL End-of-Course tests to graduate. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Virginia Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 93% 57%
Hispanic 4% 9%
Black 3% 26%
Asian/Pacific Islander 1% 6%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 22%N/A33%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 17N/A17
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

368 Blazer Drive
Penn Laird, VA 22846
Phone: (540) 289-3100

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