5152 Hemlock Ave
Virginia Beach, VA 23464

The first year our child was in this school for preK it was awesome. After that the decline started. First off the front office staff have to be the rudest and laziest bunch I've ever encountered. It really was a nightmare dealing with this group and almost anything they could push off on the teachers they would. Most of the time I found myself having to message teachers for administrative issues. It was ridiculous. It seemed like one year we would have an engaging teacher and the next one that would be absent more times than present. I have to second a review I read above sending the chromebooks hone everyday with the children while they were in school. Then requiring parents to pay for any repairs. Really seemed like a way for that part of the budget to be put on the backs if the parents. A few years into our child attending it was brought to our attention that services were likely needed. Ok so we went through the process only for the request to be shut down. It took going through the OPEC department to move this along to start the needed services. The communication the last two years after the pandemic and with changes bringing a new principal in and then a new vice principal 2 years in a row was most alarming. At one time I'm sure this was a good school but we totally regret the financial maneuvers we jumped through to put our child in KES. The last year was an absolute nightmare I hope no parent has to go through what we went through with a total lack of emotional support for our child due to personal tragedies and unresponsive requests to quench excessive bullying our child was put through the last year. There are definitely some huge changes that need to be made there. Severe incompetence big time.

Kempsville High School is a great high school. The majority of the staff is great, they truly care about their students and want to help them succeed. The school is very much a community and they are very welcoming. The Business Academy is outstanding. They offer a variety of Honors and AP classes. I would say that although fights occur here from time to time, it is not a major problem at this school. I would also say that there is not a bullying issue here either. In my experience, most of the students here are kind and are willing to be your friend. Teachers are mostly lenient with deadlines and assignments in my experience as well. Kempsville is the same as any other high school but it definitely has its advantages compared to the other high schools in VB.

My child has witnessed a couple of physical fights this year, one was 2 girls in the lunch room. The aggressor approached the other girl and began to violently punch her in face and head then slamming her face on table until the girl’s nose and mouth was bleeding. No notice was sent out regarding incident but they send messages regarding potential fights- but an actual fight - no. This is traumatic for kids to witness and they swept it under the rug. For the most part, many of the teachers are great with the exception of a certain algebra teacher who just assigns the work without teaching the kids. Many of the students transfered out to another class per their parents request. In addition, most of the office staff are nice except the main admin/secretary who has a nasty and rude attitude. She’s so miserable it’s appalling considering she works in a school setting. She thinks she can talk to parents anyway she wants. You would think this school would have higher rating because of the location but the employees make a big difference in the ratings.