Summary:
Zip code 23839 is served by a single public elementary school: Surry Elementary, part of Surry County Public Schools, which serves grades PK–4 and has 292 students. Surry Elementary is the only elementary option for families in this area, and it operates in a high-poverty context, with 95.55% of students eligible for free/reduced lunch. The school maintains a favorable student-to-teacher ratio of 11.2:1 and spends $12,531 per student in the 2023–2024 school year.
Academically, Surry Elementary shows a mix of strengths and challenges. The school's strongest subject is Virginia Studies, where 4th graders scored 89.13% proficiency in 2024–2025 and 85.71% in 2025–2026, both well above state averages. Fourth grade reading also improved, jumping from 69.57% proficiency in 2024–2025 to 75.00% in 2025–2026, now above the state average of 73.70%. However, 3rd grade reading remains a concern, with proficiency at 59.09% in 2025–2026, more than eight points below the state. Fourth grade math also declined sharply, from 80.43% proficiency in 2024–2025 to 69.64% in 2025–2026. Overall, the school's state ranking has slipped from the 60th percentile (2023–2024) to the 46th percentile (2025–2026), with its star rating falling from 3 stars to 2 stars.
Despite economic challenges, Surry Elementary shows several positive indicators. Its chronic absenteeism rate of 11.8% is lower than the state average of 14.8%, and its small class sizes likely help provide individualized attention. The school excels in Virginia Studies in particular, showing that high poverty does not prevent academic success in certain subjects. However, the persistent 3rd grade reading gap is a critical concern, as early literacy is a strong predictor of future success. For families considering this area, Surry Elementary offers a small, tight-knit academic environment with pockets of excellence, but also room for growth in early reading and overall state ranking compared to other Virginia elementary schools.
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