To find homes zoned for Ocean Lakes High School, search the area around the school in southeastern Virginia Beach, then confirm each address in the VBCPS School Locator, since zone lines don't follow neighborhood names. The school's Mathematics and Science Academy accepts students citywide by application, so academy admission doesn't depend on where you live.
Key facts
- Ocean Lakes High School hosts VBCPS's Mathematics and Science Academy, which accepts students from across the city.
- VBCPS says about 125 students are selected from more than 600 annual academy applicants.
- Applicants must have completed Algebra I in middle school and take an entrance exam.
- For the 2027 cycle, applications are due January 6, 2027 at 5 p.m., with academy testing in January and notification letters scheduled for February 19, 2027.
- Students attend their zoned school under School Board Policy 5-14. Official assignments are confirmed at registration.
How do I find homes zoned for Ocean Lakes?
Here's the process I use with buyers:
- Start with a map search. This live search of homes near Ocean Lakes High School shows what's for sale around the school right now.
- Narrow by your needs. Price, bedrooms, yard, garage, HOA or not.
- Check each address in the VBCPS School Locator's Interactive Locator Map.
- Use the street index. VBCPS publishes the streets assigned to Ocean Lakes. That's handy near boundaries.
- Confirm before registration. VBCPS confirms assignments when you register, and zones can change over time.
A circle on a map isn't a zone. Homes a few blocks from the school can be zoned elsewhere, and homes farther away can be zoned for it.
What is the Mathematics and Science Academy?
The academy is one of VBCPS's best-known programs. According to the VBCPS course catalog, it offers students with strong interest and ability in math and science a program that goes beyond the typical high school curriculum, with specialized courses in math, science, technology and English.
Who can apply:
- Eighth graders who have completed Algebra I during middle school.
- Ninth grade applications may be considered if seats are available.
- Students from VBCPS and from outside the division, through the division's application process.
What the application includes, per VBCPS:
- Student profile sheet and admissions agreement.
- Parent, teacher and counselor recommendation forms.
- Transcripts, the most recent report card and standardized test scores.
- An entrance examination.
Key 2027 dates listed by VBCPS:
| Date | Step |
|---|---|
| October 22, 2026 | Online application opens |
| January 6, 2027, 5 p.m. | Application deadline |
| January 19, 21, 26 and 27, 2027 | Mathematics and Science Academy testing at Ocean Lakes |
| February 19, 2027 | High school notification letters emailed |
| February 26, 2027 | Letter of intent deadline and first appeals deadline |
VBCPS also holds information nights each fall. Check the Information Nights page for the current schedule. Students accepted into the academy become full-time students at Ocean Lakes, and VBCPS provides transportation.
Should I buy in the Ocean Lakes zone for the academy?
Not for the academy alone. Because it's citywide and competitive, living in the zone doesn't improve your child's odds. Buy in the Ocean Lakes zone because you like the school as your zoned high school, the area fits your commute and lifestyle, and the home makes sense.
That said, living closer to the school can mean shorter rides to after-school activities for academy students. That's a convenience, not an admissions advantage.
What neighborhoods are near Ocean Lakes High School?
Ocean Lakes High School is in the southeastern part of Virginia Beach, between the Oceanfront and Sandbridge. Areas to explore:
- Ocean Lakes: neighborhoods around the school, close to the ocean and Dam Neck.
- Red Mill: to the southwest, near Red Mill Commons shopping.
- Sandbridge: the beach community farther south.
- Princess Anne: to the west, near the Municipal Center.
Nearby schools with pages on this site:
- Ocean Lakes High School
- Ocean Lakes Elementary
- Corporate Landing Middle School
- Strawbridge Elementary
What kinds of homes are near Ocean Lakes?
You'll find a mix of townhomes, single-family subdivisions from several decades, and homes closer to the ocean. Common features buyers ask about include fenced yards, garages, community pools and proximity to the beach.
Price depends on:
- Home type and size.
- Age and updates.
- Distance to the ocean.
- HOA amenities and fees.
- Flood and noise zone status.
For current prices, use the live search near Ocean Lakes High School or the broader Ocean Lakes area search.
What's daily life like near Ocean Lakes?
The area around Ocean Lakes High School sits in the southeastern part of the city, close to the ocean. Residents are near:
- The beach. The southern end of the Oceanfront and the beaches toward Dam Neck and Sandbridge.
- Red Mill Commons and other shopping along Dam Neck Road and General Booth Boulevard.
- NAS Oceana and Dam Neck Annex, a short commute for people who work on base.
- Sandbridge, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park to the south for quieter beaches and trails.
Commutes to Norfolk and the Peninsula are longer from here than from the north and central parts of the city, so test your drive.
What if we're moving in the middle of the school year?
Military orders and job transfers don't follow the school calendar. If you're moving mid-year:
- Pick the home first, then confirm the zone, since your child will enroll at the zoned school for your new address.
- Contact VBCPS registration early. Registration requires proof that you live in the zone, so ask what documents they'll accept if you're between a contract and closing.
- Bring records. Report cards, transcripts, IEP or 504 plans and immunization records speed things up.
- Ask about academies. If your child wants to apply to an academy, check the application timeline. Applications for the 2027 cycle close January 6, 2027.
If your closing date and school start date don't line up, tell me early. We can sometimes negotiate an earlier closing or a pre-closing occupancy agreement, though sellers aren't required to agree.
What else should I check before buying near Ocean Lakes?
- AICUZ noise zones. The area is near NAS Oceana and Dam Neck Annex, which the Navy lists as part of NAS Oceana. Check the city's AICUZ map. Sellers must disclose noise and accident potential zones. See neighborhoods near NAS Oceana.
- Flood zones. Check FEMA's flood maps for the address and get an insurance quote.
- Evacuation zone. Look up the home in Virginia's Know Your Zone tool.
- HOA documents. If there's an association, read the resale certificate for fees and rules.
How do I compare Ocean Lakes with other high schools?
Use the Virginia Department of Education's School Quality Profiles to compare Ocean Lakes with other VBCPS high schools, and visit if you can. My guide to the best school zones in Virginia Beach explains how zones, academies and out-of-zone requests work across the city.
Ready to find a home in the Ocean Lakes zone?
Start with a live search around Ocean Lakes High School, then contact me or call or text (757) 919-8874. I'll confirm the zoned schools for every home on your list and flag noise and flood zones before you tour.
Barry Jenkins, Legacy Home Team at LPT Realty
Sources
- VBCPS Course Catalog: Mathematics and Science Academy at Ocean Lakes High School
- VBCPS: Academy Application Process and Timelines
- VBCPS: Information Nights
- VBCPS: School Locator
- Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic: Dam Neck Annex
- City of Virginia Beach: AICUZ
- Virginia Department of Education: School Quality Profiles
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a home is zoned for Ocean Lakes High School?
Enter the exact address in the VBCPS School Locator, or check the Ocean Lakes street index that VBCPS publishes. Don't rely on a listing's school field or a radius search, since zone lines don't follow neighborhood names.
How do I get into the Mathematics and Science Academy at Ocean Lakes?
Students apply in eighth grade. VBCPS says applicants must have completed Algebra I in middle school, submit an application packet with recommendations and records, and take an entrance exam. About 125 students are selected from more than 600 applicants each year.
Do I have to live in the Ocean Lakes zone to attend the academy?
No. The Mathematics and Science Academy accepts students from across Virginia Beach by application, and VBCPS provides transportation to accepted students. Living in the Ocean Lakes zone doesn't give an advantage for academy admission.
What neighborhoods are near Ocean Lakes High School?
The school is in the southeastern part of the city, near the Ocean Lakes, Red Mill and Dam Neck areas. Nearby schools include Ocean Lakes Elementary, Corporate Landing Middle and Strawbridge Elementary. Confirm the zone for each specific address.
What is the price range for homes near Ocean Lakes High School?
It varies with home type, age, lot and distance to the ocean, from townhomes to larger single-family homes. A live search around the school shows current asking prices, and I can pull recent sales of homes in the zone.
Are homes near Ocean Lakes in a flood zone or noise zone?
Some are. Parts of the area are near NAS Oceana and Dam Neck, so check the city's AICUZ map for noise zones, and check FEMA flood maps for the address. Sellers must disclose noise and accident potential zones.