Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 23225

Zip code 23225 in Richmond, Virginia is served by one middle school, Lucille M. Brown Middle, which enrolls students in grades 6 through 8. This school is part of the Richmond City Public Schools district and serves a student body of 605, with nearly all students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. While the school’s overall state ranking is low—placing in the 2nd percentile of Virginia middle schools—it is the only option in this zip code, meaning families in the area are zoned to this school by default.

Lucille M. Brown Middle shows a striking split in math outcomes. In advanced courses, 7th graders taking Algebra I posted a 76.92% proficiency rate, and 8th graders in Geometry reached 52.17%. However, grade-level math results are extremely low: 0% of 7th graders and only 2.7% of 8th graders were proficient in standard math. This gap suggests that while higher-performing students thrive in accelerated classes, the majority of students struggle with grade-level math. The school also outperforms its district in several areas, including 8th grade Science (19.27% vs. 13.35%), Earth Science (75.47% vs. 63.73%), and 6th grade Reading (54.36% vs. 49%). Chronic absenteeism stands at 15.3%, which is far better than the district average of 20.5% and nearly matches the state rate of 14.8%—a positive sign given the school's high poverty level.

Per-pupil spending at Lucille M. Brown is $12,679, and the student-teacher ratio is a favorable 10.6, indicating meaningful resources are in place. Yet proficiency gaps remain large compared to Virginia averages: only 19.27% of 8th graders passed general Science versus 64.72% statewide, and 48.42% passed 8th grade Reading versus 73.51% statewide. The school’s state percentile ranking has slipped from the 5th percentile in 2023–2024 to the 2nd percentile in 2025–2026, even though some absolute scores improved. For parents, the key takeaway is that while Lucille M. Brown offers strong advanced coursework and solid attendance, the majority of students need significant support to meet state benchmarks in core subjects.