Lexington City Public Schools

Lexington City Public Schools is a small, top-ranked Virginia district serving about 537 students across two schools: Harrington Waddell Elementary (K–5) and Lylburn Downing Middle (6–8), with no high school. Despite its size, the district ranks #1 out of 131 Virginia districts, and both schools earned 5-star ratings in 2025–2026.

These are two excellent schools with different strengths. Harrington Waddell Elementary is consistently elite, ranking in the 93rd–97th percentile over the past three years. Its 5th grade math proficiency is a perfect 100% (state: 72%), and its 5th grade reading is 96% (state: 72%). The elementary school also has remarkably low chronic absenteeism at 4.3% — far better than the state’s 14.8%. Lylburn Downing Middle is even more impressive academically, ranking #7 in Virginia and posting massive math gains: 7th grade math proficiency is 94.55% versus a 51.11% state average, and 8th grade math is 88.89% versus 46.86%. It also excels in reading, civics, and geography. However, the middle school has a striking weakness: 22.5% chronic absenteeism, over five times higher than the elementary school and well above the state average. This contrast within the same district is one of the most interesting findings — the middle school’s academics remain top-tier despite the attendance challenge.

Both schools benefit from healthy student–teacher ratios (14.5 at the elementary, 12.8 at the middle school) and moderate per-student spending ($9,454 and $11,022, respectively). With small cohorts — roughly 30–50 students per grade — proficiency percentages can swing dramatically from year to year, so parents should interpret single-year changes with caution. For example, 8th grade math jumped 42 points in one year, and 3rd grade reading dropped similarly. Overall, this tiny K–8 district delivers exceptional results across reading, math, science, and social studies, making it a standout in Virginia — though the middle school’s attendance pattern is worth watching.