Summary:
In zip code 23829, there is just one elementary school: Capron Elementary, serving grades PK–5 in the small community of Capron, Virginia, as part of Southampton County Public Schools. With only 176 students, this is a small school, but its results are anything but ordinary—Capron Elementary stands out as a high-performing school despite serving a student population where 90.91% qualify for free or reduced lunch, an indicator of significant economic disadvantage.
Capron Elementary has earned a 4-star rating in both the 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 school years, climbing from a 3-star rating the year before. Its current state percentile rank is 73rd, meaning it outperforms roughly 73% of Virginia elementary schools. Academic proficiency is consistently above state averages in nearly every tested subject. In 2025–2026, math proficiency averaged 85.3% versus the state’s 73.2%, reading hit 79.7% versus 71.2%, and science reached 76.2% versus 68.8%. The previous year showed even stronger science results at 88.9%. This is especially notable because the district as a whole ranks only 70th out of 131 districts in Virginia with a 2-star rating, making Capron Elementary a clear positive outlier.
One of the most striking findings is the school’s chronic absenteeism rate of just 3.8%—far below the district’s 8.7% and the state’s 14.8%. This strong attendance likely supports the school’s academic success. The student–teacher ratio is a favorable 12.5 to 1, allowing for more individualized attention, and per-student spending is $8,523. While reading scores show some year-to-year variation by grade, math is a clear strength, and the school’s overall trajectory is positive. For parents considering this area, Capron Elementary offers a high-quality, supportive learning environment that punches well above its weight.
Thank you for your feedback!