Best Public Schools in Zip Code 27855

Hertford County Schools serves two public schools in ZIP code 27855: Hertford County Middle for grades 6–8 and Riverview Elementary for PK–5, with no high school in the ZIP, meaning middle school students must transition to a school outside the area after 8th grade.

Both schools serve highly economically disadvantaged populations, with roughly 99% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, but their recent academic directions are very different. Hertford County Middle is the brighter story: its state rank improved from the 6th percentile to the 17th percentile, it moved from a 0-star to a 1-star rating, and proficiency rose in every tested subject and grade. The largest gains included 7th grade reading up 22.4 points and 7th grade math up 19.7 points. Even with this progress, the school still trails state averages, and its chronic absenteeism rate is very high at 41.2%. In contrast, Riverview Elementary has fallen to the 1st percentile statewide and earned a 0-star rating. Its math scores dropped sharply across all elementary grades, most notably 5th grade math, which fell from 43.6% proficient to 17.5% in one year, compared with the state average of 62.9%. Reading results were mixed: 5th grade reading improved significantly, but 3rd and 4th grade reading stayed low or slipped.

One of the most thought-provoking findings is that Riverview Elementary actually spends more per student ($13,668 versus $9,771) and has a lower student–teacher ratio than Hertford County Middle, yet its performance is far weaker. That does not mean spending is unimportant, but it suggests other factors such as attendance, staffing experience, and student mobility matter. Chronic absenteeism is a major concern in both schools, and in Hertford County Middle, more than 4 in 10 students were chronically absent in 2024–25. For parents, the key takeaway is that Hertford County Middle appears to be gaining momentum, while Riverview Elementary needs urgent attention, especially in math and attendance, if students are to enter middle school prepared for success.