Summary:
Zip code 24017 in Roanoke, VA is served by three elementary schools—Westside Elementary, Fairview Elementary, and Roanoke Academy For Mathematics & Science Elementary—all serving grades PK-5 within the Roanoke City Public Schools district, a high-poverty area where nearly every student qualifies for free or reduced lunch. Among the three, Roanoke Academy is the clear standout: it holds the highest state ranking (15th percentile), posts the strongest overall test averages, and is the only school to exceed the state average on any test, notably 5th grade math at 74.55% proficiency. Its math and science scores far outpace its reading and social studies results, reflecting its STEM-focused identity. Fairview sits in the middle but is the biggest concern, having dropped sharply from the 13th to the 6th percentile in one year, with its 4th grade VA Studies score falling 24 points. Westside is the largest school but the lowest performing, ranking in the 2nd percentile and scoring below district and state averages on every test in both years.
Despite nearly identical poverty levels across all three schools, outcomes differ substantially. Roanoke Academy’s overall proficiency is 14 points higher than Westside’s, and it also spends the most per student ($18,448 versus $12,110 at Fairview and $14,177 at Westside), suggesting that targeted investment and a specialized program can make a difference even in challenging circumstances. Chronic absenteeism does not explain the gap either: Westside has the lowest rate (18.0%) yet still underperforms, while Roanoke Academy has the highest (23.2%) but leads the group. Every school exceeds the state’s 14.8% chronic absenteeism rate, though all remain below the district’s 25.0% average.
The most urgent cross-school issue is early literacy. In 2025-26, 3rd grade reading proficiency remained far below the state average of 67.61%, with Fairview at just 28.07%, Westside at 45.16%, and Roanoke Academy at 42.11%. While Westside improved dramatically from 22.47% the year before, all three schools still have a long way to go. Overall, this zip code remains deeply below state benchmarks—Roanoke Academy is the only school with a promising model, while Fairview’s decline and Westside’s persistent struggles highlight the significant challenges facing students and families in this area.
Thank you for your feedback!