 The city of Virginia Beach is home to Virginia Beach City Public Schools , one of the largest school systems in the state ( based on student enrollment ) . Virginia Beach City Public Schools currently serves 69 @,@ 735 students , and includes 56 elementary schools , 14 middle schools , 12 high schools which include Landstown , Princess Anne , Green Run , Green Run Collegiate , Cox , <unk> , Salem , First Colonial , <unk> , Kempsville , Bayside , and Ocean Lakes High Schools as well as a number of secondary / post @-@ secondary specialty schools and centers such as the Advanced Technology Center ( ATC ) , which provides excellent courses for those trying to gain a place in the technology field . Ocean Lakes maintains a rigorous math and science academy ; Bayside houses a health sciences academy , with courses in medical microbiology , genetic medicine , and pathophysiology . Salem High school houses the Visual and Performing Arts Academy , preparing students for jobs in the Fine and Performing Arts . Landstown High School contains a Technology Academy , which helps prepare students for jobs in Business Marketing , Information Technology , and / or Engineering . First Colonial High School is home to the Legal Studies Academy , with courses such as Forensic Science , Intro to Law , and Legal Research and Writing , preparing students for jobs in the law field . <unk> High School has recently founded a world studies academy , and Princess Anne , the oldest high school in the city , is an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme school . Specialized courses are offered at all these academies , even though they occasionally overlap courses offered at other specialized centers , such as Landstown and the ATC — less than 1 @-@ mile ( 1 @.@ 6 km ) away . 
