Schools in Zip Code 22473

ZIP code 22473 (Heathsville, VA) is served by three public schools in Northumberland County Public Schools, covering grades PK-12 with a combined enrollment of 1,162 students in a high-poverty, rural community.

If you're looking at this area, Northumberland Elementary is the clear standout. It's the only school earning 3 stars, and its ranking has improved for three straight years, now sitting at the 60th percentile. Despite a 99.2% free/reduced lunch rate, it beats state averages in 4th grade math, reading, and VA Studies. In contrast, Northumberland Middle is the most concerning — it dropped from the 46th to 24th percentile in one year and is rated 1 star. Its 7th grade math and civics scores fell sharply, and several subjects are well below state proficiency. Northumberland High is mixed: it excels in Algebra I, Algebra II, and Biology, and has a graduation rate above the state average, but it struggles in Geometry and VA/US History, and its rank has fallen from the 60th to 36th percentile over three years.

All three schools share similar poverty levels and low student-teacher ratios (11-12:1), yet outcomes vary widely, suggesting that factors like attendance and subject-specific instruction matter. One notable pattern is a "math acceleration gap" — advanced math students thrive, while on-grade math students lag. Social studies also falls off sharply after elementary. The high school has the district's highest chronic absenteeism (18.2%) and a dropout rate slightly above the state. For parents, the takeaways are clear: elementary is strong and improving, middle school is a critical trouble spot where students lose ground, and high school has bright spots but needs attention to attendance and non-advanced courses.