Best Public Schools in Zip Code 23226

ZIP code 23226, in the Richmond, Virginia area, contains 2 public elementary schools — Mary Munford Elementary and Crestview Elementary — both serving grades PK-5, with no middle or high schools in the zip code. The area spans two school districts: Mary Munford belongs to Richmond City Public Schools, while Crestview belongs to Henrico County Public Schools, giving families in the same zip code a natural comparison of outcomes under different district leadership.

Mary Munford Elementary is the clear standout: rated 5 stars and ranked 32nd out of 1,111 Virginia elementary schools (97th percentile), improving every year from 67 to 56 to 32. Every reported SOL proficiency rate exceeds 88 percent, including 96.77 percent in 5th grade math and 96.47 percent in 4th grade reading. Chronic absenteeism is just 3.0 percent versus 14.8 percent statewide and 20.5 percent in its district. Crestview Elementary, by contrast, is a solid 3-star mid-tier school ranked 485th (56th percentile). It beats its district average in most subjects, with especially strong 5th grade scores, and its 10.6 percent chronic absenteeism is below the state average. Still, the gap is significant: Mary Munford's average SOL proficiency is about 92.7 percent versus about 76.1 percent at Crestview.

Both schools serve predominantly high-poverty populations — free/reduced lunch eligibility is roughly 89 percent at Crestview and reported above 100 percent at Mary Munford — yet both achieve strong results, and Mary Munford proves that high need does not prevent high achievement. The schools spend nearly identical amounts per student ($11,589 and $11,900), so the outcome gap likely reflects school culture, instruction, and leadership rather than funding. Crestview shows an interesting pattern: it trails the state in 3rd grade reading and math but beats the state by 10 to 12 points in all three 5th grade subjects. Finally, since there are no middle or high schools in this zip code, families should plan ahead for secondary options in the surrounding area.