Schools in Zip Code 23847

ZIP code 23847 in Emporia, Virginia, is served by three public schools—Greensville Elementary (PK–5), Edward W. Wyatt Middle (6–8), and Greensville County High (9–12)—all part of Greensville County Public Schools. This is a high-poverty area, with free/reduced lunch eligibility at or above 100% in every school, meaning virtually all students come from economically disadvantaged households. The district ranks 115 out of 131 Virginia divisions, and all three schools hold 1- or 2-star ratings. Despite per-student spending ranging from about $11,000 to $17,000, none of the schools consistently reach state averages on SOL tests.

There are notable bright spots amid the struggles. Edward W. Wyatt Middle stands out for chronic absenteeism of just 9.9%, far better than the district’s 17.5% and the state’s 14.8%, and its 8th-grade Algebra I proficiency hit 98.4% in 2024–2025. However, regular 8th-grade math proficiency was only 34.2%, and the school’s ranking declined to the 16th percentile despite having the highest per-student spending ($17,436) and the lowest student-teacher ratio (10.1). Greensville County High exceeds state averages in Algebra II, 9th- and 12th-grade Biology, and 12th-grade Reading, with a graduation rate of 91.3%—but its World History I proficiency is an astonishing 8.7% versus a 72.2% state average. Meanwhile, Greensville Elementary is the largest school, enrolls nearly half of the district’s students, and has the highest chronic absenteeism at 20.5%, with every tested grade and subject below state averages, especially 5th-grade Reading (53.9% vs. 72.4%).

Comparing the three schools, the high school is relatively the strongest, followed by the elementary, while the middle school ranks lowest in 2025–2026. Money clearly isn’t the deciding factor: the high school spends the least per student yet performs best, while the middle school spends the most and still lags. Test scores are also volatile, with several proficiency rates swinging more than 10 points in one year—a sign that small cohorts can heavily influence results. The biggest concern is elementary reading: nearly half of 5th graders leave elementary school below proficiency, setting up challenges for later grades. Overall, parents in ZIP 23847 should expect a system facing deep economic and academic hurdles, but with specific areas—such as attendance at the middle school and advanced coursework at the high school—that show real promise.