Best Public Schools in Zip Code 22172

ZIP code 22172 (Triangle, VA) contains two public schools in Prince William County Public Schools: Triangle Elementary (PK-5) and Graham Park Middle (6-8), serving a high-poverty area with no high school located within the ZIP code.

Both schools struggle compared to the district and state, but in different ways. Triangle Elementary is a low-performing 1-star school that has gradually improved its state rank from the 13th to the 21st percentile, yet still sits well below state averages in most subjects. Its strongest area is 3rd grade math (70% proficient), but math proficiency falls sharply to 52% by 5th grade. Reading holds steadier, between 60-64% across grades. With 70.8% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch and a 16.4% chronic absenteeism rate — higher than the district and state — the school faces significant poverty-related challenges. Graham Park Middle is the higher-ranked school, but it fell from a 2-star to a 1-star rating in 2025-2026. Its standout feature is Algebra I, where 100% of 7th graders and 96% of 8th graders are proficient — far above state averages. However, grade-level math is a serious weakness: only 36% of 7th graders and 34% of 8th graders are proficient, roughly 15 points below the state. Reading is closer to average, especially in 8th grade (70.7% vs. 73.5% statewide), and the school exceeds the state in 8th grade Science and Civics. Graham Park also has a slightly better student-teacher ratio (13:1) and higher per-pupil spending ($12,785) than Triangle Elementary.

The overarching picture is one of a district that ranks in the 65th percentile statewide, yet both ZIP code schools sit in the bottom third of their school types. This suggests notable within-district disparities, likely tied to high poverty rates — nearly 7 in 10 students at each school receive free/reduced lunch. Spending and class sizes have not closed the achievement gaps. Bright spots are narrow but real: early elementary math at Triangle and advanced math, reading, science, and civics at Graham Park provide some foundations to build on. Still, the absence of a local high school adds another transition hurdle for families in 22172, and the overall trend at Graham Park — declining math proficiency and star ratings — warrants close attention.