| School | Grades | GreatSchools rating |
|---|---|---|
| John B. Dey Elementary School | PK-5 | 10/10 |
| Great Neck Middle School | 6-8 | 9/10 |
| Frank W. Cox High School | 9-12 | 7/10 |
Ratings from GreatSchools.org, checked Sept 2026. Ratings change, and school zones vary by address — always confirm the assigned schools with Chesapeake Public Schools.
The Great Neck Pyramid
Most of the Chic's Beach area, including Cape Story by the Sea and the surrounding bayfront streets, is commonly served by Virginia Beach City Public Schools' Great Neck pyramid: John B. Dey Elementary School, Great Neck Middle School and Frank W. Cox High School. This pyramid covers a large stretch of the city's northern end, so families should confirm their exact assignment rather than assume based on the neighborhood name alone.
Because attendance zones are drawn street by street and can be adjusted by the school board, I always tell buyers and sellers to verify zoning directly with Virginia Beach City Public Schools' school locator for any specific address before making a decision based on schools.
Elementary and Middle School Options
John B. Dey Elementary serves many of the neighborhoods along this part of Shore Drive, and Great Neck Middle picks up from there for grades 6 through 8. Both are part of a division that offers gifted and talented programming and a range of specialty options that vary by school year, so it's worth checking current program offerings directly with the school or division.
If you have a specific address in mind, the school division's locator tool is the fastest way to confirm which elementary and middle school actually serves that home, since boundary lines can run right down the middle of a neighborhood.
High School and Beyond
Frank W. Cox High School is the most commonly cited high school for this area, though as with the elementary and middle levels, exact zoning depends on the address. Virginia Beach City Public Schools also offers citywide specialty programs and academies that students can apply to regardless of their home high school, which is worth exploring if a specific academic focus matters to your family.
John B. Dey Elementary carries a GreatSchools rating of 10 out of 10 [1](https://www.greatschools.org/virginia/virginia-beach/1765-John-B.-Dey-Elementary-School/), Great Neck Middle School carries a GreatSchools rating of 9 out of 10 [2](https://www.greatschools.org/virginia/virginia-beach/1760-Great-Neck-Middle-School/), and Frank W. Cox High School carries a GreatSchools rating of 7 out of 10 [3](https://www.greatschools.org/virginia/virginia-beach/1806-Frank-W.-Cox-High-School/). As always, these ratings apply to the specific named school, so confirm your exact zoning before relying on any one rating.
How I Can Help
If schools are a major factor in your decision, I recommend touring during the school year if possible and talking to current families in the specific pocket of Chic's Beach you're considering, since experiences can vary block to block even within the same pyramid.
For more on buying or selling in this neighborhood, see my Chic's Beach buying guide and Chic's Beach selling guide.
