Summary:
Zip code 20117 in Middleburg, Virginia, is served by just two elementary schools—Middleburg Community Charter (K–5, 145 students) and Banneker Elementary (PK–5, 139 students)—with no middle or high schools located within the zip code itself. Both schools belong to Loudoun County Public Schools, a district ranked 18th out of 131 districts in Virginia.
The two schools offer very different profiles. Middleburg is the clear academic leader, ranking in the 87th percentile of Virginia elementary schools and beating the district in 7 of 8 SOL test areas, including a perfect 100% proficiency in 4th grade math. Its state ranking has climbed steeply, from the 51st percentile in 2023–2024 to its current top-13% position. Banneker, by contrast, ranks in the 47th percentile and has declined recently. Yet Banneker provides far more individualized attention, with a 7.6:1 student-teacher ratio and $30,848 in per-student spending versus Middleburg's 13.4:1 ratio and $25,172 per student. Banneker's higher spending likely reflects its larger share of economically disadvantaged students (42% free/reduced lunch), a population that typically requires more resources to achieve similar outcomes.
Both schools share important strengths. Chronic absenteeism runs 8.4% at Middleburg and 9.3% at Banneker—well below the district's 14.1% and the state's 14.8%—reflecting strong attendance cultures at both schools. With fewer than 150 students enrolled, however, test scores can swing widely from year to year based on small cohorts. For families, the choice comes down to priorities: Middleburg's rising test scores and academic reputation versus Banneker's smaller classes, higher spending, and more socioeconomically diverse student body.
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