Best Public Schools in Zip Code 23842

Zip code 23842, covering the Disputanta area of Virginia, contains three public schools within Prince George County Public Schools, a district rated 3 stars and ranked 44th out of 131 districts in Virginia. The schools serve grades PK–8 and include J.E.J. Moore Middle, David A. Harrison Elementary, and South Elementary. There are no high schools in the zip code, so families must look outside the area for grades 9–12. Total enrollment across the three schools is 2,435 students, with J.E.J. Moore Middle by far the largest at 1,387 students, followed by David A. Harrison (630) and South Elementary (418).

South Elementary is the clear standout. In 2025–2026, it ranked 252nd out of 1,111 Virginia elementary schools (77th percentile) with a 4-star rating, and it has improved every year for three years. It posted above-state proficiency in every tested subject, including 87.67% in 3rd grade math and 85.07% in 5th grade reading, and it has the lowest chronic absenteeism in the zip code at 12.1%. J.E.J. Moore Middle offers elite advanced math — 100% proficiency in Algebra I and Geometry — but grade-level math scores sit in the low-to-mid 60s, and its overall rank has slipped to the 51st percentile. David A. Harrison Elementary is the highest-need school, with a 63.97% free/reduced lunch rate, the lowest per-student spending, and a 2-star rating (48th percentile). Its scores are volatile, including a sharp 12.4-point drop in 4th grade math.

The gap between the two elementary schools is striking. South Elementary outpaces David A. Harrison Elementary by 17.6 points in 4th grade math and 14.6 points in 5th grade reading. Chronic absenteeism at the middle school is a serious concern at 21.7%, well above the state rate of 14.8%. Spending does not predict success here — the highest-spending school has the largest class sizes and middling results, while South Elementary, with lower spending and smaller classes, performs best. Overall, South Elementary is the most encouraging story, while the middle school and David A. Harrison Elementary present clear opportunities for improvement.