Schools in Zip Code 23310

ZIP code 23310, covering the Cape Charles area of Virginia, contains just one school: Kiptopeke Elementary, which serves grades PK through 6 with roughly 300 students. The school is part of Northampton County Public Schools, a district currently ranked 120th out of 131 districts in Virginia. Because this is the only school in the ZIP code, the analysis focuses on its performance relative to its district and the state.

Kiptopeke Elementary stands out as a high-poverty school, with 98.33% of students eligible for free/reduced lunch, yet it shows meaningful momentum. The school's statewide ranking improved from 1023rd place (8th percentile) in 2023-2024 to 786th place (29th percentile) in 2025-2026, with its star rating moving from 0 to 1 star. The biggest success story is reading: composite reading proficiency rose from roughly 57.9% to 67.9% in one year, including a remarkable 35-point jump in 3rd grade reading, from 37.5% to 72.73%, which now exceeds both the district and state averages. The school also benefits from a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1, $12,062 in spending per student, and a chronic absenteeism rate of 12.9% that is lower than both the district (13.6%) and the state (14.8%).

Despite these strengths, there are clear areas of concern. Fifth grade science is the weakest subject, with proficiency falling to 42.86% in 2025-2026, about 26 points below the state average of 68.75%. Fourth and 5th grade math also lag, with proficiency rates near 56% and 51.43%, respectively, compared with state averages above 72%. However, 6th grade math is a bright spot at 72.5% proficiency, surpassing both district and state. The school outperformed its district in 6 of 10 tested areas but exceeds state averages in only two: 6th grade math and 3rd grade reading. With no middle or high school in the ZIP code, students transition elsewhere after 6th grade. Overall, Kiptopeke is a school on an upward trajectory in reading, though science and upper-elementary math remain priorities for continued improvement.