First Colonial High School, Virginia Beach, 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.

7.8 · Test scores

SOL pass rate of 83.7% across all subjects — 75th percentile statewide.

6.5 · Academic progress

Virginia's accreditation combined rate for English and Math, which credits schools for student growth — 61th percentile.

7.5 · College readiness

On-time graduation, AP participation, and college enrollment within 16 months — 73th percentile.

Test scores by subject

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

This school Virginia average

Biology

84%state 78%

Geometry

80%state 82%

Algebra I

75%state 85%

Algebra II

92%state 89%

English Writing

84%state 76%

World History I

82%state 66%

World History II

58%state 37%

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

College & career

Class of 2024 cohort of 419 students, unless noted.

95.9%

On-time graduation rate

67%

Advanced Studies diplomas

71%

Enrolled in college within 16 months

3.3%

Dropout rate

38.3%

Enrolled in AP courses

30.6%

Took an AP exam

7.5%

Dual enrollment (college credit)

609

Industry certifications earned (CTE)

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

First Colonial High School & its school zone

First Colonial High School is a public high school in Virginia Beach, VA 23454, part of Virginia Beach Public Schools. Buyers searching homes for sale near First Colonial High School are typically shopping the First Colonial zone, one of the areas families compare when weighing Virginia Beach high school zones. On the VaHome School Score the school earns 7.4/10 — above 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 83.7%, with standout results in World History I (82% vs a 66% state average). 95.9% of the class of 2024 graduated on time, 67% of them with Advanced Studies diplomas. 71% of graduates enrolled in college within 16 months. Program depth includes 38% AP course enrollment, 8% dual enrollment for college credit, 609 industry certifications through career and technical education.

For house hunters comparing Virginia Beach school zones, homes zoned to First Colonial High School sit in the First Colonial 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 Virginia Beach 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: Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Grades served: 9-12
School type: Regular public high school (non-charter); hosts the Legal Studies Academy magnet program
Principal: Daniel Miani
Established: 1966
Mascot & colors: Patriots · Columbia Blue, White, Gold
Enrollment: 1,727 students (2024-2025)
Student–teacher ratio: 18:1
Classroom teachers: 94.49 FTE
Accreditation: Fully Accredited (2025-2026)
NCES school ID: 510384001684

Academic performance

SOL pass rates · 2024-2025

Reading

91%

Mathematics

80%

Science

84%

History & Social Sci.

33%

96%

On-time graduation (Class of 2025)

3%

Dropout rate

67%

Earned an Advanced Diploma

College & career readiness

2024-2025

38.33%

Students in AP courses

7.53%

Dual-enrollment (college credit)

AP enrollment 38.33% and dual enrollment 7.53% per Virginia School Quality Profile 2024-2025.

Attendance

2024-2025

5.6% of students were chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days).

About First Colonial High School

First Colonial High School opened in the fall of 1966 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, built primarily to relieve overcrowding at the original Virginia Beach High School. It is part of Virginia Beach City Public Schools and takes its Patriots identity and colonial theme from the region's early American history.

The school sits at 1272 Mill Dam Road in a large-city locale on the north side of Virginia Beach. In addition to a comprehensive academic program, it hosts the Legal Studies Academy, a specialty/magnet program established in 2002 for students interested in law and law-related careers, alongside Advanced Placement and dual-enrollment coursework.

Athletics & activities

20

State athletic titles

20

VHSL state championships include Girls Swimming (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023), Girls Volleyball (2000, 2002, 2014, 2023), Lacrosse (2011, 2012, 2015), Girls Tennis (1977, 1982, 2011), Baseball (1993, 2024), Girls Soccer (2018, 2021), Boys Soccer (2021), Boys Volleyball (1997)

Notable alumni

Mark Ruffalo· ActorJuice Newton· SingerSteven Culp· ActorJosh Boone· FilmmakerDerrick Borte· FilmmakerMark Reynolds· Major League Baseball playerAaron Rouse· Former NFL player and Virginia state senator

Contact

Phone: (757) 648-5300

Official school website ↗

Data sources

NCES Common Core of Data - First Colonial High — NCES ID, enrollment total and by grade, grades served, teachers FTE, student/teacher ratio, locale, school type, phone, race/ethnicity, free/reduced lunch2024-2025 link ↗
Virginia School Quality Profiles - First Colonial High — Accreditation, SOL pass rates, graduation/dropout, advanced diploma, chronic absenteeism, AP/dual enrollment, demographics2024-2025 (accreditation 2025-2026, graduation Class of 2025) link ↗
First Colonial High School - Wikipedia — Founding year/history, mascot, colors, principal, VHSL championships, notable alumni, specialty programsAccessed July 2026 link ↗
First Colonial High School official website (VBCPS) — Official website URL, principal, program infoAccessed July 2026 link ↗

Figures reflect the NCES 2024-2025; Virginia School Quality Profile SOL/demographics 2024-2025, accreditation 2025-2026, graduation Class of 2025 unless noted. School zoning, boundaries, and ratings change — verify with the school division before making housing decisions.

First Colonial High School