Booker T. Washington High School, Norfolk, VA

Score breakdown

Compared against all 325 Virginia public high schools. 1–4 is below the state average, 5–6 around it, 7–10 above it.

1.4 · Test scores

SOL pass rate of 52.6% across all subjects — 4th percentile statewide.

4.1 · Academic progress

Virginia's accreditation combined rate for English and Math, which credits schools for student growth — 34th percentile.

2.4 · College readiness

On-time graduation, AP participation, and college enrollment within 16 months — 15th percentile.

Test scores by subject

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

This school Virginia average

Biology

61%state 78%

Geometry

54%state 82%

Algebra I

57%state 85%

Earth Science

48%state 70%

English Writing

56%state 76%

World History I

18%state 66%

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

College & career

Class of 2024 cohort of 242 students, unless noted.

76.9%

On-time graduation rate

25%

Advanced Studies diplomas

40%

Enrolled in college within 16 months

14.9%

Dropout rate

17.4%

Enrolled in AP courses

14.4%

Took an AP exam

2.0%

Dual enrollment (college credit)

284

Industry certifications earned (CTE)

Source: Virginia Department of Education — Graduation, Diplomas, Advanced Programs, Postsecondary Enrollment, and CTE datasets.

Booker T. Washington High School & its school zone

A public high school in Norfolk Public Schools, B. T. Washington High School anchors its attendance zone in Norfolk, VA 23504. Buyers searching homes for sale near B. T. Washington High School are typically shopping the BT Washington zone, one of the areas families compare when weighing Norfolk high school zones. On the VaHome School Score the school earns 2.3/10 — below the state average among Virginia's 325 public high schools, based on Virginia Department of Education data for 2024–25.

The school's overall SOL pass rate is 52.6%. 76.9% of the class of 2024 graduated on time, 25% of them with Advanced Studies diplomas. 40% of graduates enrolled in college within 16 months. Program depth includes 17% AP course enrollment, 2% dual enrollment for college credit, 284 industry certifications through career and technical education.

For house hunters comparing Norfolk school zones, homes zoned to B. T. Washington High School sit in the BT Washington attendance area — use the listings on this page to see every active REIN MLS home in the zone. School zoning and attendance boundaries can change between school years — always verify a specific address's assignment directly with Norfolk Public Schools before making a housing decision based on school zone.

How the VaHome School Score works

Test scores (40%): the school's SOL pass rate across all subjects, ranked against every Virginia public school of the same level.
College readiness (40%): average statewide rank in on-time graduation rate, AP course enrollment, and college enrollment within 16 months of graduation.
Academic progress (20%): 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: Norfolk City Public Schools
Grades served: 9-12
School type: Regular public school
Principal: Matthew Mason
Established: 1911 · this campus 1974
Mascot & colors: Bookers (The Mighty Bookers) · Maroon, White, Gold
Enrollment: 904 students (2024-2025)
Student–teacher ratio: 12:1
Classroom teachers: 75 FTE
Accreditation: Fully Accredited (2024-2025)
NCES school ID: 510267001079

Academic performance

SOL pass rates · 2024-2025

Reading

73%

Mathematics

57%

Science

56%

History & Social Sci.

32%

77%

On-time graduation (2025)

15%

Dropout rate

College & career readiness

2024-2025

17.37%

Students in AP courses

1.99%

Dual-enrollment (college credit)

Advanced diplomas: 61 of the Class of 2025 cohort earned an Advanced Studies diploma; 113 earned a Standard diploma.

Attendance

2024-2025

26.6% of students were chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days).

About Booker T. Washington High School

Booker T. Washington High School was founded in 1911 and in 1917 became Virginia's first accredited public high school for African Americans. Its historic marching band was the first African-American marching band to perform in a televised presidential inauguration parade, appearing for President Harry Truman in 1949, and later performed at inaugurations for President Eisenhower and at the 2014 Virginia governor's inaugural parade. The current facility, located at 1111 Park Avenue in Norfolk, opened in 1974 at a cost of roughly $8 million.

The school sits in Norfolk's Park Avenue area and operates as part of Norfolk City Public Schools, serving grades 9-12. It is also known as BTW and operates the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts.

Notable alumni

Bruce Smith· Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive endPernell Whitaker· Multiple-time world boxing championTony Brothers· NBA refereeAline Elizabeth Black· Educator and civil-rights figureDon Carey· NFL cornerback (2009 draft)Samuel L. Green Jr.· Pastor and bishop

Contact

Phone: (757) 628-3575

Official school website ↗

Data sources

NCES Common Core of Data - Booker T Washington High — NCES ID, address, phone, district, grades, enrollment, teachers FTE, student/teacher ratio, locale, free-lunch eligibility, race/ethnicity counts2024-2025 link ↗
Virginia School Quality Profiles - Booker T Washington High — Accreditation, SOL pass rates, graduation/dropout rates, demographics, chronic absenteeism, AP/dual enrollment, principal2024-2025 link ↗
Wikipedia - Booker T. Washington High School (Virginia) — Founding history, current campus year, mascot, colors, marching band history, notable alumnin/a link ↗
Booker T. Washington High School official website — Official website URL2026 link ↗

Figures reflect the 2024-2025 (NCES, Virginia School Quality Profiles) unless noted. School zoning, boundaries, and ratings change — verify with the school division before making housing decisions.

Booker T. Washington High School