Thomas Dale High School is a public high school located in Chester, an unincorporated community in Chesterfield County, Virginia, United States. It was named for Sir Thomas Dale, a 17th-century leader in the Virginia Colony. The high school is operated by the local school division, Chesterfield County Public Schools.
Serving 2,570 students in grades 9-12, Thomas Dale High School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Virginia for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 41% (which is lower than the Virginia state average of 54%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 82% (which is higher than the Virginia state average of 69%).
The student:teacher ratio of 15:1 is higher than the Virginia state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Virginia state average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 2,570 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 15:1
- Minority Enrollment: 64%
- Graduation Rate: 91% (Top 50% in VA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 41% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 82% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 67% (Top 30%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Thomas Dale High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Virginia for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Diversity
School Overview
Thomas Dale High School's student population of 2,570 students has grown by 7% over five school years.
The teacher population of 172 teachers has grown by 12% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
2,570 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
172 teachers
Year Founded
1906
Colors
Grey, Maroon
School Rankings
Thomas Dale High School ranks within the top 50% of all 1,792 schools in Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Thomas Dale High School is 0.70, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#830 out of 1792 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)41%
54%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)82%
69%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)67%
59%
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
14:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
3%
8%
Hispanic
20%
19%
Black
37%
22%
White
36%
44%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
4%
7%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
91%
89%
Eligible for Free Lunch
74%
55%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
2%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Knight
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Thomas Dale High School's ranking?
Thomas Dale High School is ranked #830 out of 1,792 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Virginia.
What schools are Thomas Dale High School often compared to?
Thomas Dale High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Matoaca High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
41% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 54% VA state average), while 82% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 69% VA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Thomas Dale High School?
The graduation rate of Thomas Dale High School is 91%, which is higher than the Virginia state average of 89%.
How many students attend Thomas Dale High School?
2,570 students attend Thomas Dale High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
37% of Thomas Dale High School students are Black, 36% of students are White, 20% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Two or more races, and 3% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Thomas Dale High School?
Thomas Dale High School has a student ration of 15:1, which is higher than the Virginia state average of 14:1.
What grades does Thomas Dale High School offer ?
Thomas Dale High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Thomas Dale High School part of?
Thomas Dale High School is part of Chesterfield County School District.
School Reviews
Review Thomas Dale High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
