Best High Schools in Zip Code 22903

Zip code 22903 in Charlottesville, Virginia, is home to just one high school—Community Lab School—a small public school serving grades 6 through 12 within the Albemarle County Public Schools district.

Community Lab School is a standout in nearly every academic category. With only 177 students and a 9.7:1 student-teacher ratio, it provides an unusually personalized learning environment. The school has earned a 4-star rating from the state for three consecutive years, ranking in the 82nd to 88th percentile among Virginia high schools. Academic results are particularly impressive in English and science: 11th graders posted 100% proficiency in both Reading and Writing in 2024–2025, while 10th-grade Biology proficiency reached 95.8% compared to 70.9% statewide. The school also excels in middle-grade math, with 6th graders hitting 96.6% proficiency versus 63.2% statewide. Its graduation rate of 94.7% tops both district and state averages, and chronic absenteeism is remarkably low at 11.0% compared to 14.8% statewide. Per-student spending is high at $19,138, and only 5.08% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a resource-rich environment that likely supports these outcomes.

There are a few caveats worth noting. While overall math performance is strong, 8th-grade Algebra I proficiency was just 60% in 2025–2026—far below the district’s 90.9% and the state’s 93.3%—and 9th-grade Geometry also lagged behind. These dips are likely tied to very small cohort sizes rather than systemic issues, but they bear watching. The school’s state ranking has also fluctuated, moving from #82 to #38 to #60 over three years, again reflecting how much impact a single class can have at this scale. Relative to its own district—which ranks only in the 67th percentile statewide—Community Lab School is clearly an outlier for the better. For parents considering this area, the school offers strong academics, attentive staffing, and a supportive atmosphere, with the understanding that small numbers can create year-to-year variability in specific subject scores.