Suffolk Public Schools
Suffolk Public Schools is a public K-12 school district in Suffolk, Virginia, serving approximately 14,600 students across 21 schools with government-funded operations, five high school specialty programs, and district-wide 1:1 Chromebook deployment.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersSuffolk, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Suffolk Public Schools does
Suffolk Public Schools is a public K-12 school district operated by local government and governed by the Suffolk City School Board, serving approximately 14,600 students from preschool through grade 12 across 21 schools (12 elementary, 5 middle, 3 high schools, and 2 other facilities including The College & Career Academy at Pruden and Turlington Woods School) within a 429 square mile geographic area. The district maintains an 88% on-time graduation rate, holds 'Fully Accredited' status from the Virginia Department of Education, and offers five high school specialty programs (International Baccalaureate at King's Fork High School, PLTW Biomedical Sciences at Lakeland High School, PLTW Engineering at Nansemond River High School, Center for Performing and Production Arts, and College & Career Academy at Pruden), plus a STEM Academy at Booker T. Washington Elementary, gifted education (QUEST), English Learner services, and early childhood programs. Technology infrastructure includes a district-wide 1:1 Chromebook program (SPS Connect), Google Apps for Education, Canvas LMS, fiber WAN, wired and wireless LANs, a SchoolCafé point-of-sale meal system, GPS-based School Bus Tracker, and the newly launched STARCards QR-code student ID system.
The district's business model is government-funded, with revenue derived primarily from federal sources (Title I, Title III, IDEA, USDA National School Lunch Program), state education funding and matching funds, and local tax revenue, supplemented by smaller fee-based streams including before/after school care, facility rentals, student parking passes, and parent-paid tuition for SPS Online virtual learning through Virtual Virginia. Operating with nearly 2,300 employees, the district's service delivery relies on geographic school zones with assigned attendance areas, district-wide specialty programs and magnet-style enrollment, and dedicated partnerships including a 38-year relationship with ACCESS College Foundation providing college access advisors at all three high schools. Recent strategic product launches in January 2026 include AI Learning Tools (Google Gemini and NotebookLM) for middle and high school students with defined 'coach' and 'collaborator' usage frameworks, and the STARCards safety and resource access platform. Leadership is headed by Superintendent Dr. John B. Gordon III, named 2026-2027 Virginia Superintendent of the Year.
Suffolk Public Schools firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Suffolk Public Schools
- Legal name
- Suffolk Public School District
- Website
- https://spsk12.net
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Suffolk Public Schools is a public K-12 school district in Suffolk, Virginia, serving approximately 14,600 students across 21 schools with government-funded operations, five high school specialty programs, and district-wide 1:1 Chromebook deployment.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Suffolk Public Schools industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 Public Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public School Districts (K–12) (EDADABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Magnet & Specialty Schools (STEM/Arts/IB/CTE) (EDAJAAAF), Online Credit Recovery & Alternative Pathways (Virtual) (EDAJADAF), Public Career & Technical Education (CTE) Centers & Programs (EDAJAAAJ)
Keywords
Where Suffolk Public Schools is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Suffolk
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Suffolk Public Schools business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Public School Funding: Funded through federal and state education funding, local tax revenue, and grant programs including Title I, Title III, and IDEA
- School Meals Program: Provides free breakfast and lunch to all students; funded through USDA National School Lunch Program and state matching funds
- Before and After School Care: Fee-based before and after school care services for families
- Facility Rentals: Community use of school facilities with rental fees and insurance requirements
- Student Parking Fees: High school student parking passes for designated parking areas
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Virtual Virginia Online Learning (SPS Online) |
| Freemium | Monthly | Universal Free Meals |
| Freemium | Annual | Title I Services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Suffolk Public Schools product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Suffolk Public Schools is a public K-12 school district providing standards-aligned curriculum and a broad portfolio of specialty academic programs to approximately 14,600 students across 21 schools in Suffolk, Virginia. Offerings include International Baccalaureate, Project Lead The Way (Biomedical Sciences and Engineering), the Center for Performing and Production Arts, the STEM Academy at Booker T. Washington, the College & Career Academy at Pruden, SPS Online virtual learning, early childhood and special education programs, gifted education (QUEST), and wraparound services such as free school meals and bus transportation.
Product overview
Suffolk Public Schools is a K-12 public school district serving approximately 14,600 students across 21 schools, providing a comprehensive educational ecosystem that combines traditional in-person instruction with technology-enhanced and specialty programs. The district operates a 1:1 Chromebook program (SPS Connect) ensuring every student has personal device access. The academic portfolio includes standard K-12 instruction aligned with Virginia Standards of Learning, five high school specialty programs (International Baccalaureate at King's Fork High School, PLTW Biomedical Sciences at Lakeland High, PLTW Engineering at Nansemond River High, the Center for Performing and Production Arts, and the College & Career Academy at Pruden), STEM Academy at Booker T. Washington Elementary, gifted education (QUEST grades 3-8), English Learner services, and early childhood programs (Early Start/VPI preschool and ECSE). The district also offers virtual learning via SPS Online through Virtual Virginia, before/after-school tutoring, Saturday Academy, and work-based learning through the S.T.A.R. Student Intern Program. Operational services include meal provision, transportation with bus tracking, and a Home Access Center for student and parent portals.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- K-12 Education Programs Core public K-12 instructional program aligned to Virginia Standards of Learning, delivered across 21 schools to approximately 14,600 students in Suffolk, Virginia.
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Program Advanced IB curriculum and diploma pathway for high school students seeking an internationally recognized rigorous academic program.
- Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Biomedical Sciences Career-focused biomedical sciences pathway delivered through Project Lead The Way, preparing high school students for healthcare and life-science careers.
- Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Engineering PLTW engineering pathway offering project-based pre-engineering coursework for high school students.
- Center for Performing and Production Arts (CPPA) Specialized performing-arts academy offering concentrated study and production experience for students with interests in performing arts.
- STEM Academy at Booker T. Washington School-within-a-school STEM-focused academy emphasizing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics instruction.
- College and Career Academy at Pruden College and career preparatory academy offering early college exposure and career-focused coursework to high school students.
- SPS Online (Virtual Virginia) District-operated virtual learning program delivered through Virtual Virginia, providing online course options for students.
- Early Childhood Education (Virginia Preschool Initiative) Pre-K early-start program for four-year-olds, offered through the Virginia Preschool Initiative to prepare children for kindergarten.
- Early Childhood Special Education Special education services for young children ages 2-5 with developmental delays or disabilities.
- Special Education Services District-wide special education programming and IDEA-compliant services for students with disabilities across all grade levels.
- English Learner Program English-language development services for students whose home language is not English, supporting academic English acquisition.
- QUEST Gifted Education Quest for Understanding and Engagement with Scholarly Thought (QUEST) program providing gifted-education services to identified students.
- Free School Meals Program District-wide free breakfast and lunch program provided to all students.
- School Transportation Services with STARCards Daily student bus transportation across the district, with STARCards-based tracking to allow families to monitor student bus activity.
- Before and After School Care Fee-based before- and after-school care programs providing supervised care outside regular school hours for working families.
- Saturday Academy and S.T.A.R. Student Intern Program Supplementary enrichment and internship-style programs offered on Saturdays to extend learning opportunities beyond the regular school week.
Quantifiable outcome
- 88% on-time graduation rate
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Suffolk Public Schools
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Suffolk Public Schools technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
AI capability3 records
Feature3 records
Suffolk Public Schools partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ACCESS College FoundationcorePartnership since 1988 providing college access programs for students who may not have the opportunity to attend and complete college. ACCESS has leveraged $500 million in financial aid and scholarships, awarded $9 million in ACCESS 'Last-Dollar' Scholarships, and served over 50,000 students. Provides advisors at all three SPS high schools for college application and financial aid assistance.
- Suffolk Education FoundationcoreNon-profit education foundation supporting Suffolk Public Schools through Teacher Supply Store and community donations. Provides resources and funding opportunities for students and staff.
- Suffolk Public LibraryminorCommunity partnership providing library resources and educational support to students and families.
- Suffolk Police DepartmentcoreStrong working relationship for school safety, threat assessments, investigations, and School Resource Officers. Partnership enables quick response to safety concerns.
- Suffolk Fire and Rescue DepartmentcoreEmergency response partnership for school safety planning and crisis management.
- University of VirginiacoreProfessional development partnership providing Master's degree program in Administration and Supervision for SPS staff development.
- Governor's School for the Arts ConsortiumminorMulti-district consortium serving Chesapeake, Franklin, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight, Southampton, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach. Transportation provided by local school divisions at no tuition cost for students.
- Tidewater Regional Alternative Education Program (TRAEP)minorCooperative effort with five other school divisions serving students with long-term suspensions or returning from state correctional facilities.
- Virginia Department of HealthminorPartnership for school health services, immunizations, and wellness programs including Suffolk School Health Advisory Board.
- U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil RightscoreCompliance oversight for English Learner programs and civil rights protections for students.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Suffolk Public Schools competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Chesterfield County Public Schools: Larger Virginia public school district; Dr. Gordon previously held division leadership roles here. Comparable in operating multiple comprehensive high schools, specialty academies, and a similar 1:1 technology environment, useful for benchmarking scale and outcomes.
- Henrico County Public Schools: Suburban Virginia public school district with comparable specialty programs (IB, PLTW, Governor's School participation) and technology deployment. Direct peer for graduation rates, college access programs, and operational scale.
- Norfolk Public Schools: Urban Virginia public school district in the same Hampton Roads region with overlapping Title I and military-connected populations. Comparable for evaluating urban-suburban operational differences and accreditation outcomes.
- Newport News Public Schools: Virginia public school district in the same region with a comparable military-family demographic, magnet/specialty programs, and federal funding profile. Direct peer for Title I exposure, graduation outcomes, and specialty program design.
- Portsmouth Public Schools: Smaller Virginia public school district in the same region, also a member of the Governor's School for the Arts Consortium and TRAEP cooperative with Suffolk. Comparable for VDOE accreditation, Title I exposure, and shared cooperative programs.
- Hampton City Schools: Virginia public school district in the same coastal region with a similar military and Title I profile. Direct peer for VDOE accreditation performance, specialty programming, and 1:1 device initiatives.
- Virginia Beach City Public Schools: Larger Virginia public school district in the same Hampton Roads region, also serving a sizeable military-connected population. Comparable governance, accreditation framework, and mix of magnet/specialty programs, but at a larger scale, providing a benchmark for Suffolk's operational efficiency.
- Chesapeake Public Schools: Adjacent Virginia public school district serving a comparable suburban population in the Hampton Roads region. Operates a similar mix of elementary, middle, and high schools with standard K-12 academic programs and athletics, making it a direct comparison for enrollment scale, funding, and outcomes.
Others
- Project Lead The Way (PLTW): National STEM curriculum provider whose Biomedical Sciences and Engineering pathways are deployed at Lakeland High and Nansemond River High. Comparable as the curriculum vendor that enables Suffolk's specialty programs.
- Virtual Virginia (VVA): Statewide virtual learning consortium that powers Suffolk's SPS Online program. Comparable as the delivery platform and as an adjacent K-12 online learning provider that competes for tuition-paying virtual students.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Suffolk Public Schools social profiles
Digital presenceSuffolk Public Schools compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Suffolk Public Schools financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Suffolk Public Schools leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Suffolk Public Schools funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Suffolk Public Schools M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Suffolk Public Schools
What does Suffolk Public Schools do?
Suffolk Public Schools is a public K-12 school district providing standards-aligned curriculum and a broad portfolio of specialty academic programs to approximately 14,600 students across 21 schools in Suffolk, Virginia. Offerings include International Baccalaureate, Project Lead The Way (Biomedical Sciences and Engineering), the Center for Performing and Production Arts, the STEM Academy at Booker T. Washington, the College & Career Academy at Pruden, SPS Online virtual learning, early childhood and special education programs, gifted education (QUEST), and wraparound services such as free school meals and bus transportation.
Is Suffolk Public Schools a public or private company?
Suffolk Public Schools is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Suffolk Public Schools founded?
Suffolk Public Schools was founded in -1. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Suffolk Public Schools based?
Suffolk Public Schools is headquartered in Suffolk, United States, in the North America region.
How does Suffolk Public Schools make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Public School Funding is the primary driver. The others are school Meals Program, before and After School Care, facility Rentals and student Parking Fees.
Who are Suffolk Public Schools's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Chesterfield County Public Schools, Henrico County Public Schools, Norfolk Public Schools, Newport News Public Schools, Portsmouth Public Schools, Hampton City Schools, Virginia Beach City Public Schools and Chesapeake Public Schools. Others are Project Lead The Way (PLTW) and Virtual Virginia (VVA).
Does Suffolk Public Schools have an API?
No public API is recorded for Suffolk Public Schools.
What industry is Suffolk Public Schools in?
Suffolk Public Schools's product category is K-12 Public Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDADABAA, Public School Districts (K–12), with a secondary code of EDAJAAAF, Public Magnet & Specialty Schools (STEM/Arts/IB/CTE). Its NAICS code is 611110 and its SIC code is 8200.