Granby High School

Norfolk, VA 23505

Phone: (757) 451-4110
District: Norfolk City Public Schools

2

GreatSchools Rating

public • Grades 9,10,11,12 • 1988 students

Granby High School, a public school located in Norfolk, VA, serves grades 9-12 in the Norfolk City Public Schools.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 2 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.

Granby High School is a public school located in Norfolk, VA. 1988 students attend Granby High School.

School Ratings

Category Rating Details
Test Scores 2/10 The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 Virginia Standards of Learning data from Virginia Department of Education, and using 2025 Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) End-of-Course data from Virginia Department of Education.
College Readiness 1/10 The College Readiness Rating uses this high school's graduation rates, college entrance exam participation and performance, or AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment participation to determine how well schools are preparing students for success in college and beyond. The College Readiness Rating was created using the following data from the 2021 Civil Rights Data Collection: percentage of students enrolled in IB, AP or Dual Enrollment classes in grades 9-12, using 2025 4-year high school graduation rate data from Virginia Department of Education, using 2025 demographic data from the National Center for Education Statistics, and using 2025 demographic data from Virginia Department of Education.

Posted: June 29, 2026

I have had one child graduate on the IB Diploma track from Granby and another child who currently attends on the same trajectory. We have had nothing but a positive experience, my children are challenged academically and the teachers are motivating and provide a supportive environment. The program is rigorous and prepares students for college or their next steps in a supportive environment. The leadership at the school, starting with the Principal is admirable. Despite it being such a diverse and large school, they do their best to provide top notch communication and when issues arise, they do their best to address and fix them. Weekly communication is fantastic. Athletics have allowed students to try new things and become involved. We have been so happy we chose to send our children to Granby. Our graduated student is attending their top choice university and had phenomenal outcomes. As an urban school, Granby provides real world experiences prior to students being out on their own and that is invaluable.

Posted: June 29, 2026

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Posted: June 29, 2026

Posted: June 1, 2026

Both of our children graduated from Granby HS in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and were accepted to their first choice college. The program is rigorous but the students are supported with caring and knowledgeable teachers. Their sports programs are fantastic and the kids get “play time”, unlike other large schools. The principal communicates weekly with all families and he is present at events outside of school hours. As an urban school, Granby matches the real world and taught our kids the importance of treating others with respect and not taking what you have for granted.

Posted: June 1, 2026

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Posted: May 21, 2026

The 4 years I spent in this building are what formed me into the person I am today. The amazing staff created an environment that was extremely welcoming and it’s one of the main things that helped me when it came to developing myself. The students here are also wonderful. It’s a place where you can be who you are without any shame or backlash. If I am still in the area whenever I have children then I would love for them to experience the same if not better experiences I had at Granby High School.

Posted: May 21, 2026

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Posted: August 19, 2025

I have two kids in the IB program.

Posted: August 19, 2025

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Posted: July 7, 2025

We've had a wonderful experience with Granby High School so far. I couldn't be more impressed with the well-rounded experience with the IB program. The academic rigor of the curriculum has truly challenged our child, helping them grow into a confident, thoughtful, and globally minded learner. Beyond the classroom, the athletics program is another standout. The coaching staff across multiple sports are not only knowledgeable and experienced, but also genuinely care about the personal growth and well-being of each athlete. We're grateful to be a proud Comet family!

Posted: July 7, 2025

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Posted: June 23, 2025

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Posted: June 23, 2025

Posted: June 23, 2025

Posted: June 23, 2025

The IB program at this school is very good. My kids have enjoyed being in that program.

Posted: May 19, 2025

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Posted: May 19, 2025

The IB program is amazing! All the students are so engaged and have a wide range of talents and interests. Teachers are so involved and vested in the students success.

Posted: May 19, 2025

Posted: May 19, 2025

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Posted: May 19, 2025

Posted: May 19, 2025

Posted: May 19, 2025

I have had two children in the IB program who have had exceptional teachers and coaches. My Smigiel is an outstanding, experienced and responsive principal.

Posted: May 19, 2025

Posted: May 19, 2025

Posted: May 19, 2025

Posted: May 19, 2025

Posted: May 19, 2025

Posted: May 19, 2025

Posted: May 19, 2025

Posted: May 19, 2025

I have had two kids attend granby in the IB program. My kids were also 3 season athletes and participated in a number if extracurricular activities. There are so many clubs at this school, there is something for everyone. If there’s not the club you want, the administration will support your child starting their own. My kids received an outstanding education and made friends for life. The staff and teachers are dedicated and the administration has outstanding communication with a clear weekly Comet Weekly newsletter that comes out every Sunday night to tell you anything you might need to know about what is going on at school. Communication from the administration is top notch and this school truly feels like a family. Go comets!

Posted: June 7, 2022

To initially clarify, this review is both highly personalized and subjective; and it won't cover the full scope a typical student at Granby would face. In order to ascertain my credibility, I shall establish my ethos (credibility). I'm a current student at Granby High school - sophomore, to be specific - and in the IB program, I will become a Junior rather shortly, as it is June, I take multiple IB/AP classes, and also attend the Governor's School for the arts in tandem with Granby.

Firstly; the positives. Granby has an amazing teaching staff...Somewhat. From my 2 years of experience, on average, you will get 2 absolutely amazing teachers, a bunch of decent teachers, and 1 to 2 teachers that would make you genuinely consider self-mutilation as better than taking their class. Let's focus on the good teachers, however. Practically all of the teachers are open to criticism and emails, having quite amicable personalities. Those amazing teachers that you get (Props out to Dr. Ford, absolute legend) will make your classes more than just bearable, it will be an actual sensation that, for once, you actually desire to attend. Unfortunately, this is probably where all the positives end...

Now...the myriad of negatives. It would take too much time to explain them all, so I'm just going to list them.

-Certain abhorrent teachers
-Condescending staff (New principal Thomas Smigiel is pretty decent, though)
-10s of people skipping class in the bathrooms
-Some hallways smell like weed...constantly.
-Fights daily (emphasize on the daily)
-You are practically treated like herd animals or any other equivalent.
-Our "Track" is actually non-existent (we have good tennis courts and baseball field, however)
-Infrastructure standard/grade is barely legal; dismal. (this is hyperbole, but the point stands)
-School food...might as well eat straight from the dumpster, provides the same nutritional benefits and has a better taste.
-Real lack of emotional support, we may have more counselors than any other school, but does it matter if the school environment itself is more mentally taxing than if you were to take 2 AP exams at once with half the allotted time?


In short; the academic facilities at Granby - even within the IB program, and especially the regular courses - are mediocre, borderline purgatory, at the very most. In reality, it's probably not as bad as I make it out to seem, I tend to exaggerate things - hence my introduction - But I agree with all that I said.

Posted: June 7, 2022

Posted: June 7, 2022

Posted: June 7, 2022

Posted: June 7, 2022

Posted: June 7, 2022

Posted: June 7, 2022

Posted: June 7, 2022

Posted: May 17, 2021

Posted: May 17, 2021

Posted: May 17, 2021

Posted: May 17, 2021

Posted: May 17, 2021

I have two children, both of whom are in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Granby. Their teachers are excellent and the staff and administrators have always been accessible and responsive. The principal, Mr. Smigiel, is highly capable and enthusiastic and has improved communication with parents significantly this year. My kids could not wait to get back to school after Covid restrictions were lifted. Their athletic coaches (in particular field hockey, crew and volleyball) are wonderful.

Posted: May 17, 2021

Posted: May 17, 2021

Posted: May 17, 2021

Posted: March 12, 2020

Posted: March 12, 2020

Posted: March 12, 2020

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Posted: March 12, 2020

Violence is a huge problem. When my child and groups of others are getting secondhand pepper spray from a fight being separated, doesn’t seem like an effective or safe tool.

Posted: March 12, 2020

Posted: March 12, 2020

Posted: November 5, 2018

The teachers tell the students they don't get paid enough to care. SHAME!

Posted: November 5, 2018

Posted: November 5, 2018

Posted: November 5, 2018

Posted: November 5, 2018

Posted: November 5, 2018

This is the worst of the worst! Students are treated as if they are in court here and are forced to make plea bargains with suspensions. The principal shows little to no care for academics, safety, respect, or compassion. I don't understand how the doors are still open!

Posted: November 5, 2018

There is never any homework given to the children.

Posted: February 6, 2017

I was disappointed with the school. My child was only in two class due to registration and in both classes either the students were very disrespectful and cussing at the teacher or a fight broke out. While just waiting to be seen there were students being loud and wondering the halls when they were to be in class.

Posted: February 6, 2017

Posted: February 6, 2017

Posted: February 6, 2017

Posted: February 6, 2017

Posted: February 6, 2017

I have not the chance to meet any of the teachers at this time.

Posted: February 6, 2017

I feel students should have homework ever night to help retain what they have learned. If not then they learn not to care about what is going on and only sees school as a social gathering.

Posted: December 2, 2014

I have not been impressed with this school since my kids have started. My son used profanity on the base while singing a song and was reprimanded which is fine. His punishment was 5 days OSS which was ridiculous! No warning and another child did the same thing that week and received much lighter punishment. It's a shame the school administration isn't better. High School is a great time in a teens life and I think Granby leaves a lot to be desired.

Posted: December 3, 2013

If you have attended Granby for 3.5 years, as you claim, you should be a senior by now, not a junior, being as it takes only 3 years and 9months to graduate high school from start to finish. On a side note, incomparable means NOT comparable to said object, as the prefix in- means "opposite of" the word it precedes. The correct word was comparable, as your point was that Granby could be accurately compared to a public zoo (which, by the way, couldn't have been a less truthful statement, especially if you take the time to compare Granby's disciplinary records with other schools in the area). I think you should spend a little more time involving yourself in your studies and less time worrying about who fought who today, and I am sure you would find your experience at Granby, as with anything else in life, to be much more positive and successful.

Posted: November 12, 2013

This school itself is not too bad, no, decent even. However in the past three and a half years(Junior) in Granby High School- I have experienced that the learning environment is rather uncivilized and incomparable to a public zoo.

Posted: June 21, 2013

very good school near my area, is my first year and i like it so far. make the best out of it :)

Reviews provided by GreatSchools

# Name Type City State Overall Rating Distance
1 Wards Corner Neighborhood/Subdivision Norfolk VA 0.3 mi
2 Talbot Park Neighborhood/Subdivision Norfolk VA 0.3 mi
3 Wexford Terrace/Colony Point Neighborhood/Subdivision Norfolk VA 0.6 mi
4 Colony Point Apartments Apartment Complex Norfolk VA 0.9 mi
5 Riverpoint Neighborhood/Subdivision Norfolk VA 0.9 mi
6 Jamestown Crescent Neighborhood/Subdivision Norfolk VA 1.4 mi
7 Colonial Place Neighborhood/Subdivision Norfolk VA 1.5 mi
8 Larchmont Neighborhood/Subdivision Norfolk VA 1.6 mi
9 Lafayette Shores Neighborhood/Subdivision Norfolk VA 1.7 mi
10 Riverview Neighborhood/Subdivision Norfolk VA 1.7 mi
11 Winona Neighborhood/Subdivision Norfolk VA 1.8 mi
12 Lochhaven Neighborhood/Subdivision Norfolk VA 2.2 mi
13 Park Place Neighborhood/Subdivision Norfolk VA 2.3 mi
14 Bel Aire/South Bayview Neighborhood/Subdivision Norfolk VA 2.4 mi
15 Ghent Area of Town Norfolk VA 2.9 mi
16 Mariners Watch Apartment Complex Norfolk VA 2.9 mi
17 West Ghent Neighborhood/Subdivision Norfolk VA 3.1 mi
18 Ghent Neighborhood/Subdivision Norfolk VA 3.1 mi
# Name City State Overall Rating Distance
1 Colonial Place Norfolk VA 1.7 mi
2 Park Place Norfolk VA 2.3 mi
3 East Bayview Norfolk VA 2.6 mi
4 Colley Avenue and 21st Norfolk VA 2.9 mi
5 Bayview Beach Norfolk VA 3.3 mi
6 Ghent Square Norfolk VA 3.3 mi
7 Oceanview Norfolk VA 4 mi
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