Lafayette High School
Williamsburg, VA 23188
Phone: (757) 565-0373
District: Williamsburg-James City Public Schools
GreatSchools Rating
public • Grades 9,10,11,12 • 1251 students
Lafayette High School, a public school located in Williamsburg, VA, serves grades 9-12 in the Williamsburg-James City Public Schools.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 5 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.
Lafayette High School is a public school located in Williamsburg, VA. 1251 students attend Lafayette High School.
School Ratings
| Category | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Test Scores | 5/10 | 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 | 4/10 | 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: April 2, 2026
Worst experience of my life, incredibly useless and i havent learned a thing in the 3 years ive been here, despite taking many of the "advanced" and AP classes.
Posted: April 2, 2026
Posted: April 2, 2026
Posted: April 2, 2026
Posted: April 2, 2026
Posted: April 2, 2026
Posted: April 2, 2026
Posted: April 2, 2026
Posted: October 8, 2025
Posted: October 8, 2025
Posted: October 8, 2025
Posted: October 8, 2025
Posted: October 8, 2025
Posted: October 8, 2025
Posted: October 8, 2025
The school has been great so far, especially since we are new this year. My only concern is the amount of homework my child receives. Every day, she spends between 2 to 4 hours on schoolwork after being in class all day, and most of her weekend is spent doing homework as well. Students deserve a break from academics once they get home. Because of the workload and the concern of falling behind, my child cannot get a job and worries about balancing sports with all the assignments. I want my child to have a healthy life outside of school, but that has been difficult this year. Other than that, we have had a positive experience, although drop off and pickup can be a bit of a hassle when trying to pull out of the school.
Posted: October 8, 2025
Posted: February 9, 2025
This is a Blue Ribbon School. Rigorous academic classes are available all 4 years from inspiring teachers. Extra-curricular activities are available from sports to nationally affiliated clubs with lots of opportunities for any interest.
Posted: February 9, 2025
Posted: February 9, 2025
Posted: February 9, 2025
Posted: February 9, 2025
Posted: February 9, 2025
Posted: February 9, 2025
Posted: September 23, 2023
All 3 of my daughters have attended and graduated from this school. They all took AP classes and were part of the dual enrollment and early college program, while working part time jobs. They participated in school activities and sports and were always respected and treated fairly by students and staff. All 3 of my daughters are biracial and had all the same opportunities as everyone else, their GPAs were 3.97, 3.89, 3.8.
The school sends out family bulletins, emails and text messages to keep parents up to date and involved. The school is safe and clean (although could use more supervision over Vape use in the bathrooms)
Overall this is a top notch school, I wouldnt blame a school. For test grades, the kids need to be held accountable at home and put in the work.
Posted: September 23, 2023
Posted: September 23, 2023
Posted: September 23, 2023
Posted: September 23, 2023
Posted: September 23, 2023
Posted: September 23, 2023
Posted: September 23, 2023
Posted: July 20, 2023
Communication sucks. They love to spam you with emails and voicemails that aren't relevant to you, but when you have an actual question or concern, you are totally ignored. Good luck getting a response, it's incredibly rude and frustrating.
Posted: July 20, 2023
Posted: July 20, 2023
Posted: July 20, 2023
Posted: July 20, 2023
Posted: July 20, 2023
Posted: July 20, 2023
Posted: July 20, 2023
Posted: July 16, 2021
Excellent teachers, rigorous academic options, and plentiful sports opportunities and leadership options. Great location. Loved my years at LHS both as a student, athlete, and later as an intern.
Posted: July 16, 2021
Posted: July 16, 2021
Posted: July 16, 2021
Posted: July 16, 2021
Posted: July 16, 2021
Posted: July 16, 2021
Posted: July 16, 2021
Posted: March 27, 2020
Excellent academic and most teachers truly care about the students. Do not like that they are overloading the school with Hispanics to avoid having to pay more for adequate teachers to help them in the other two high schools.
Posted: March 27, 2020
Posted: March 27, 2020
Posted: March 27, 2020
Posted: March 27, 2020
Posted: March 27, 2020
Posted: March 27, 2020
Posted: October 12, 2019
Posted: October 12, 2019
Posted: October 12, 2019
Posted: October 12, 2019
There's fantastic leadership in 2019 at LHS.
Posted: October 12, 2019
Posted: October 12, 2019
Posted: October 12, 2019
We've had an outstanding experience at LHS. There's a great sense of community, good sports, good teacher engagement
Posted: February 17, 2017
College tracking students do very well. Federally supported under-privileged student mandatory test scores bring down overall ranking. This is not an issue for college bound students being accepted to the best colleges and universities.
Posted: February 17, 2017
Posted: February 17, 2017
Posted: February 17, 2017
Posted: February 17, 2017
Posted: February 17, 2017
Posted: February 17, 2017
Posted: January 17, 2017
Wonderful school! Great teachers, leaders that take strong stand against bullying, challenging classes, lots of school spirit!
Posted: November 16, 2016
Posted: November 16, 2016
Posted: November 16, 2016
Posted: November 16, 2016
Posted: November 16, 2016
Posted: November 16, 2016
Posted: November 16, 2016
The teachers are very supportive, always reply to emails. There is a large variety of different subjects and for those who wants to work a lot of encouragement.
Posted: August 18, 2016
Academics are okay. Administration leaves quite a bit to be desired, and the guidance department is a running joke in our family. If parents aren't very actively involved in their kids' schooling, their needs will be ignored.
Posted: August 18, 2016
Some teachers are great. Most are adequate. A few are horrendous. Same as it is most places.
Posted: August 18, 2016
The advanced subjects my son took required a considerable amount of reading and outside investigation.
Posted: August 18, 2016
Lafayette taught my son that honesty does not pay. He was kicked off a team for telling a coach why he would not be at a practice (he and others wanted to attend an informal session encouraged by a coach from another sport). Other kids who simply skipped the practice were not punished. Thanks for teaching my son that being open and honest are not the best approach.
Posted: August 5, 2016
I will have a second child attending Lafayette High School this year. I am very happy with LHS. It seems to have something for everyone. I love the diversity of the school. This is a school that will prepare my child for the real world. He is learning to be collaborative, cooperative and purposeful as he chooses his classes and after school activities. He gets a look at how the real world will function by being exposed to ideas and experiences he would not have had in our cookie cutter neighborhood school out of state. We moved here a few years ago and heard all kinds of stories that frankly, are told about every school system. After doing careful research, reviewing the facts, and exploring extra circular activities, we choose LHS. One of our favorite things about Lafayette is the school spirt. The students are really proud of their school. Just attend a Friday night football game to see for yourself. We could have moved into any district, but felt it was important to attend a school that is diverse, accepting and has all the AP classes my son needs to get into a top notch college. We love being LHS parents and highly recommend the school.
Posted: August 5, 2016
Posted: August 5, 2016
Posted: August 5, 2016
Posted: January 29, 2015
As a family that values education as well as diversity, we absolutely loved Lafayette HS. The students are a family!! The children do very well here. Their arts as well as sports excel at the state level. Over 70% of the athletes have above a 3.0 GPA. That speaks volumes of the administration and school. We are a military family and I would completely recommend this school to all military families!! No problems with clicks or bullying. Of course there is always a few bad apples, but I promise that is in EVERY school. Large percentage of students are college bound!
Posted: August 6, 2012
We have three students who have attended Lafayette. We are completely satisfied with the top notch education they have received preparing them for their future education. The various sports offered have dedicated coaches and the drama department completely inspires the students. The award-winning yearbook staff have produced top rated yearbooks for many years. The high level of parent involvement as this school has, is key to the success of any school!
Reviews provided by GreatSchools™
| # | Name | Type | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scots Pond | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Williamsburg | VA | 1.1 mi | |
| 2 | Ford's Colony | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Williamsburg | VA | 4.4 mi | |
| 3 | Creekside Landing | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Williamsburg | VA | 5.2 mi | |
| 4 | Kingsmill | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Williamsburg | VA | 6.9 mi | |
| 5 | Rosewell | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Gloucester | VA | 9.8 mi | |
| 6 | Denbigh | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Newport News | VA | 15.7 mi | |
| 7 | Stoneybrook Estates | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Newport News | VA | 16.2 mi | |
| 8 | Morgan's Trace | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Newport News | VA | 16.9 mi | |
| 9 | Brickshire Golf Community | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Providence Forge | VA | 17.2 mi | |
| 10 | Shore Park | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Newport News | VA | 18.3 mi | |
| 11 | Carriage Hills | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Newport News | VA | 18.5 mi | |
| 12 | Brick Kiln | Apartment Complex | Newport News | VA | 20.6 mi | |
| 13 | Tabb Lakes | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Yorktown | VA | 22.7 mi | |
| 14 | Courtney Trace | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Newport News | VA | 24.7 mi | |
| 15 | Eagle Harbor | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Carrollton | VA | 27.8 mi | |
| 16 | Fox Hill- Grandview | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Hampton | VA | 30.9 mi | |
| 17 | Riverfront at Harbour View | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Suffolk | VA | 34.8 mi | |
| 18 | Burbage Grant | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Suffolk | VA | 35.7 mi |
| # | Name | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yorktown Beach | Yorktown | VA | 15.1 mi | |
| 2 | Fort Eustis | Newport News | VA | 15.3 mi | |
| 3 | Tabb | Tabb | VA | 21.5 mi | |
| 4 | Smithfield | Smithfield | VA | 24.2 mi | |
| 5 | Poquoson | Poquoson | VA | 25.9 mi | |
| 6 | Carrollton | Carrollton | VA | 28 mi | |
| 7 | Harbour View Area | Suffolk | VA | 34.7 mi |
| Base | Distance |
|---|---|
| Yorktown Naval Weapons Station | 12 mi. |
| Fort Eustis | 15 mi. |
| Coast Guard Yorktown | 16.8 mi. |
| Langley AFB | 27.4 mi. |
| Coast Guard Station Milford Haven | 27.7 mi. |
| Fort Lee | 31.7 mi. |
| Fort Monroe | 33 mi. |
| Joint Staff J7 Suffolk | 35.3 mi. |
| Norfolk Naval Base | 37.3 mi. |
| Coast Guard Portsmouth VA | 37.3 mi. |
| Defense Supply Center Richmond | 37.8 mi. |
| Portsmouth Naval Medical Center | 41 mi. |
| Norfolk Naval Shipyard | 43 mi. |
| Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base | 43.7 mi. |
| Fort Story | 49.8 mi. |
