Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle Sc…, Newport News, VA

Score breakdown

Compared against all 337 Virginia public middle schools. 1–4 is below the state average, 5–6 around it, 7–10 above it.

2.1 · Test scores

SOL pass rate of 54.9% across all subjects — 12th percentile statewide.

3.5 · Academic progress

Virginia's accreditation combined rate for English and Math, which credits schools for student growth — 28th percentile.

3.6 · Attendance

Chronic absenteeism of 19.3% — better attendance than 29% of peers statewide.

Test scores by subject

Percent of students passing Virginia SOL tests, 2024–2025.

This school Virginia average

Geometry

100%state 82%

Algebra I

90%state 85%

Civics & Econ

52%state 72%

Grade 8 Science

49%state 68%

Grade 6 Mathematics

46%state 65%

Grade 7 Mathematics

51%state 62%

Grade 8 Mathematics

46%state 63%

Grade 6 English Reading

46%state 73%

Grade 7 English Reading

57%state 73%

Grade 8 English Reading

59%state 74%

Source: Virginia Department of Education, School Quality Profiles — SOL pass rates, 2024–2025.

Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle School & its school zone

A public middle school in Newport News Public Schools, Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle School anchors its attendance zone in Newport News, VA 23608. Buyers searching homes for sale near Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle School are shopping this Newport News school zone, one of the areas families compare when weighing Newport News middle school zones. On the VaHome School Score the school earns 2.8/10 — below the state average among Virginia's 337 public middle schools, based on Virginia Department of Education data for 2024–25.

The school's overall SOL pass rate is 54.9%, with standout results in Geometry (100% vs a 82% state average). Virginia's accreditation measures — which credit schools for student growth, not just pass rates — come in at 71% for English and 78% for Math. Chronic absenteeism is 19.3%, compared with the 15.2% state median for middle schools.

For house hunters comparing Newport News school zones, the listings on this page show active REIN MLS homes near Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle School. School zoning and attendance boundaries can change between school years — always verify a specific address's assignment directly with Newport News Public Schools before making a housing decision based on school zone.

How the VaHome School Score works

Test scores (50%): the school's SOL pass rate across all subjects, ranked against every Virginia public school of the same level.
Attendance (20%): chronic absenteeism, ranked statewide (lower is better).
Academic progress (30%): Virginia's accreditation combined rate for English and Math, which gives schools credit for students showing growth.
The weighted statewide percentile maps to a score from 1.0 to 10.0: score = 1 + 9 × percentile. 1–4 is below the state average, 5–6 around it, 7–10 above it.
Every input is public data from the Virginia Department of Education, refreshed each school year. No opinions, no black box — you can check our math.

Data: Virginia Department of Education School Quality Profiles (2024–2025) · NCES. VaHome is not affiliated with VDOE, NCES, or GreatSchools.

At a glance

School district: Newport News City Public Schools
Grades served: 6-8
School type: Regular public school (non-charter)
Principal: Dr. Jaraun Ransome
Established: 1975 (opened as Dozier Middle School; renamed Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle School in 2021)
Mascot & colors: Jazz · Purple, White
Enrollment: 988 students (2024-2025)
Accreditation: Fully Accredited (2025-2026)
NCES school ID: 510264001056

Academic performance

SOL pass rates · 2024-2025

Reading

54%

Mathematics

59%

Science

49%

History & Social Sci.

52%

Attendance

2024-2025

15% of students were chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days).

About Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle School

Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle School is a public middle school in the Denbigh area of northern Newport News, Virginia, part of Newport News City Public Schools. It opened in the mid-1970s as Dozier Middle School, named for John Marshall Dozier, Jr. In 2021 the Newport News School Board renamed the school for Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996), the jazz vocalist who was born in Newport News. The school celebrated its 50th school year in April 2025, marking the milestone on the anniversary of Fitzgerald's birthday.

The school serves roughly 1,000 students in grades 6-8 and its mascot is the Jazz, reflecting its namesake, with school colors of purple and white. It sits on Industrial Park Drive off the northern end of the city and draws from surrounding residential neighborhoods in the Denbigh section of Newport News.

Contact

Phone: (757) 888-3300
Office hours: 6:50 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.

Official school website ↗

Data sources

NCES Common Core of Data - Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle — NCES School ID, address, phone, grades, total enrollment (988), locale, charter status, racial/ethnic enrollment counts, free/reduced lunch eligibility2024-2025 link ↗
Virginia School Quality Profiles - Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle — Accreditation status (SY2025-2026), SOL pass rates, demographic percentages, economically disadvantaged / English learners / students with disabilities, chronic absenteeism, principal2024-2025 metrics; 2025-2026 accreditation link ↗
Ella Fitzgerald Middle School official website — Principal, phone, office hours, website URL2025-2026 link ↗
Newport News Public Schools news - Ella Fitzgerald Middle celebrates 50th school year — Founding/50th-year history, former name (Dozier), mascot (Jazz), school colors (purple and white)2025 link ↗

Figures reflect the 2024-2025 (SOL, demographics, chronic absenteeism, enrollment); 2025-2026 (accreditation) unless noted. School zoning, boundaries, and ratings change — verify with the school division before making housing decisions.

Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle School