Western Branch High School

Posted: February 25, 2026

I have gone to this school for three years next year will be my last year class of 27 and over these years I’ve had amazing teachers and opportunities and especially since I have an IEP and a learning disability they have made sure I’ve had all the help I need.

Posted: February 25, 2026

Posted: February 25, 2026

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Posted: February 5, 2026

I've had four kids attend this school, and looking back, allowing any to stay past the first was a mistake. While there were a few dedicated teachers, the overall education was lacking. Instead of meaningful lessons, I saw more distractions like TikTok videos than actual teaching. Politics seemed to dominate the classroom, with personal biases influencing the curriculum. I don't believe in any political side shaping my child, values should be formed independently, not through a flawed system. Politics do not belong in a classroom for any reason and we seem to have forgotten that.

As for social emotional support, the school seemed more focused on befriending kids than educating them. They prioritize "making kids happy" over ensuring they’re safety or guiding them in the right direction.

I can't speak to special education.

When it comes to safety, it's a major concern. There’s no visible violence or harsh punishment from staff, but kids have free access to drugs throughout the day, and certain bathrooms are hotspots for smoking and inappropriate sexual behavior. I am sure the school will try to deny this but honestly with enough research you can find the proof. This isn’t the safety a parent should expect.

Family engagement is another issue. If you’re a traditional parent, things might be easier, but as a stepparent, I felt treated like an outsider despite being heavily involved. I had two biological kids and two stepchildren attend, and the way stepparents are treated is concerning. In the end, I pulled three of my kids out, with only one finishing at the school. I strongly advise against sending your kids here. Even though alternatives like CVA may seem better (to be fair 1 child attended), I wouldn’t recommend that either, as I don't want to contribute to a system that I believe is flawed.

Homeschooling was a much better option. It’s easier to focus on real education and tailor learning to my kids’ needs. One of my children homeschooled and got a 96 ASVAB and is now successfully serving in the Airforce.

If you choose this school, be ready for your kids to be exposed to things they shouldn’t be, and expect the school to hinder your efforts to address those issues. The normalization of negative influences as “normal” kid behavior is deeply troubling.

Posted: February 5, 2026

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Posted: August 13, 2023

I have 3 students that attended this school, although great students they all struggled with teachers that treated them poorly and did not assist when asked; the principal was absolutely awful and students AND Staff were not friendly to newcomers. Students bullied and threatened my children's lives regularly and administration did nothing. Many of the teachers, coaches and administrators have lived here and grown up together, and in my experience I learned quickly will cover up for each other. My students were offered or witnessed drug use on campus regularly and when they reported it circled back to the students from the staff and they were threatened. Were were told there was nothing they could do. The police officer at the school even shared that it is so bad that he is pursuing another line of work. Additionally, my senior with straight A's who has played baseball his entire life AND excelled AND had already been playing Varsity baseball was encourage to not try out for the team, when he did he was the ONLY senior to tryout and was told by the coach and player that if you aren't from here you will not make the team - and he didn't! Academically, his class were so poorly taught that he began pointing out that it was as if her we taking middle school classes over again.

Posted: August 13, 2023

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Posted: June 14, 2023

I recommend this school with high regards! I personally as a parent felt my kids were safe and received the proper attention and guidance to preform at the best of their abilities. I am grateful to have them be able to attend.

Posted: June 14, 2023

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Posted: July 9, 2022

I have two high school graduates (Class 2022) coming from this school both graduate with honors and heading to a top University. The faculty and staff are dedicated to high learning for those who are invested in their children future.

Posted: July 9, 2022

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Posted: February 24, 2022

Kids with struggles will not find help here. As I checked test and academic reviews before moving to the area, I was hopeful but I believe as new results come through it will be evident they have a broken program. Teachers unwilling to help guide and support students from ALL backgrounds will become more evident. Inclusion is not practiced at this school.

Posted: February 24, 2022

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Posted: December 28, 2021

The school is way too crowded. The halls are so full when the bell rings. Ask for a tour and to observe classroom changes. The cafeteria has 6 shifts due to the number of students. PE classes have to share one small corner of a gym. There are a lot of big and aggressive kids there. Multiple fights daily. The administration often cannot discipline kids due to city rules. Class sizes are huge. COVID-19! has made many things worse. The school was rated a 9 out of 10 six years ago. They have added a new wing on the school, but they have the same halls, gym, cafeteria, and auditorium. School was to max out at 1500. They have over 2100 students. Chesapeake continues to zone new apartments, condos, and housing. Wait until those massive Amazon warehouses are open. My children were late to class often because they had to squeeze in between packed hallways. Half of the students don’t want to be there, and the teachers are afraid to say anything about the massive loitering. Bullying, drug sales, all kinds of PDA, are rampant. Big, athletic, track and football players are taking advantage of shy young ladies. They have recently hired a new principal named Keith Hicks after my children graduated. He was a fantastic principal at Joliff Middle Sxhool. He may be able to overcome some of the issues that the City of Chesapeake created.

Posted: December 28, 2021

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Posted: July 3, 2020

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Posted: July 3, 2020

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Posted: July 3, 2020

Posted: July 3, 2020

Nice school and teachers are so respect

Posted: August 22, 2019

Posted: August 22, 2019

Posted: August 22, 2019

Posted: August 22, 2019

Posted: August 22, 2019

Posted: August 22, 2019

Posted: August 22, 2019

I’ve been going to this school for a year now. So far so good.

Posted: January 29, 2019

Posted: January 29, 2019

Posted: January 29, 2019

Posted: January 29, 2019

Posted: January 29, 2019

Very sorry that this is my daughter’s school. School is too big to meet the students needs. Too many students in some classrooms. Guidance is no help. Bullying and sexual harassment runs rampad and you have to fight the administration for them to protect your child or file a police report before they will take your child’s safety seriously. My child spends many hours studying at home for the SOLs using computer websites. She has to do this just to pass because of the inferior education she has gotten.

Posted: January 29, 2019

Posted: January 29, 2019

The majority of the teachers my daughter has had, teach the information not caring whether or not the students learn it. The lessons are not catered to the students.

Posted: June 21, 2017

Posted: June 21, 2017

Posted: June 21, 2017

Posted: June 21, 2017

Posted: June 21, 2017

Posted: June 21, 2017

Enrolling our kids was the WORST experience ever!!!! The guidance office is the worst dept and offer absolutely no help in the process. They dont return calls or offer any help whatsoever. There are janitors that think they are administrators and harass students continuously. When brought to administrators attention, they blow it off. As for children on IEPs, they do not help with academics if they are struggling and allow them to sleep in class, just collecting the funding. TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE and we are moving just to get the kids out of the district and into a school that cares about our children!!

Posted: June 21, 2017

Posted: April 29, 2015

We are locating to Chesapeake in June 2015, and I am interested in any UPDATED info regarding this school?

Posted: August 21, 2014

The staff is incredible, WBHS has the best teachers and staff! My son loves it there also.

Posted: August 28, 2013

All three of my children graduated from WBHS and with each one came different challenges. My oldest has a terminal lung condition and they went out of their way to help when he was hospitalized. My daughter loved many of her teachers; one was even a retired FBI agent. My youngest son has Autism, you would think that he would automatically be put in a special needs class. Oh no! You see, WBHS was the last link in a chain started years before. In his IEP every year they would keep challenging him, some of which I didn't think he was ready for...but he accomplished every one. The Chesapeake Public School System is the absolute best! I should know because me and my 5 other siblings all graduated from OFS (ages 64 - 42). In fact, my son had the same English teacher I did when I was in high school. He ended up graduating with a 2.97 GPA and that was a regular diploma having 26 credits! I also appreciated the fact that when my oldest son got into trouble, that they did NOT go easy on him. For every action there is a reaction.

Reviewed: February 11, 2013

The schools here are amazing, caring teachers, small class size & supportive administration.
Military kids haev a lot to deal with and when they move schools several times within their short lives, it is great to get them into schools like these in Western Branch where they are loved on, encouraged to do well and flourish.