| 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 | 233,194 | 83% | 73.2% |
| Carrollton, VA | 5,481 | 82% | 70.4% |
| Hampton, VA | 136,789 | 76% | 58.0% |
| Norfolk, VA | 245,724 | 68% | 41.3% |
| Portsmouth, VA | 96,071 | 71% | 48.3% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Dearborn, MI | 95,520 | 42% | 12.4% |
| Lawton, OK | 96,728 | 35% | 26.6% |
| New Bedford, MA | 94,988 | 39% | 19.8% |
| League City, TX | 94,976 | 58% | 19.9% |
| Beaverton, OR | 94,865 | 55% | 14.4% |
| Portsmouth, VA | 96,071 | 71% | 48.3% |
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