Schools in Zip Code 22727

In zip code 22727 (Madison, VA), Madison County High, Madison Primary, William H. Wetsel Middle, and Waverly Yowell Elementary serve roughly 1,585 students across grades PK-12, all part of Madison County Public Schools. The district ranks in the bottom quartile of Virginia districts, but all ranked schools have improved their state positions over the last three years.

Standout results are scattered across the four schools. Madison County High posts an excellent 96.3% graduation rate and a 0.0% dropout rate, with strong geometry and Earth Science SOL scores, though chronic absenteeism is the highest in the district at 20.3%. William H. Wetsel Middle is a math powerhouse: 8th-grade math proficiency is 73.24% versus 46.86% statewide, and 8th-grade Algebra I reaches 97.56%, feeding directly into the high school’s strong advanced math results. Waverly Yowell Elementary stands out for exceptional attendance—only 2.0% chronic absenteeism—and above-state 5th-grade science. Madison Primary serves the highest-need population (80.27% free/reduced lunch) and has the highest per-pupil spending, but no test data since it covers PK-2.

Across the district, math is the clearest academic strength, while reading and social studies consistently lag state averages—notably 4th-grade Virginia Studies (53.64% vs. 70.52%) and 5th-grade reading (59.82% vs. 72.42%). Chronic absenteeism is highly uneven, from 2.0% at Waverly Yowell to 20.3% at the high school. Poverty is widespread, yet Waverly Yowell’s attendance proves that high need does not automatically mean poor engagement. A striking internal gap at the high school shows 9th-grade biology at 80% proficiency versus 10th-grade at just 30.43%, likely reflecting different cohorts. Overall, these schools offer strong math acceleration, solid graduation outcomes, and improving rankings, but must address persistent reading gaps and uneven attendance to lift their below-average state standing.