Summary:
Zip code 24053 contains just one school, Blue Ridge Elementary, serving grades PK through 7 in Ararat, Virginia, and is part of the highly ranked Patrick County Public Schools district. Because it is the only school in the area, Blue Ridge Elementary is the sole educational hub for the community, and it stands out for delivering strong academic results despite significant economic challenges.
Blue Ridge Elementary consistently earns a 4-star rating and ranks in the 75th percentile statewide (283 out of roughly 1,111 schools) for the 2025-2026 school year, up from the 71st percentile two years earlier. This performance is especially notable given that 97.76% of its 223 students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school outperforms both the district and state in most subjects, with average SOL proficiency around 83% compared to the state average of 69.5%. Especially impressive is 7th grade math, where 100% of students passed in 2024-2025 and 88.89% passed in 2025-2026, versus state averages in the low 50s. The school also posted a dramatic 23-point improvement in 3rd grade reading, jumping from 69.23% to 92.31% in one year.
One concern is 6th grade math, which dropped from 78.57% to 58.33% in the most recent year, falling below both the district and state averages in that subject. However, the school’s low chronic absenteeism rate (8.9%, versus 10.1% for the district and 14.8% statewide) and a favorable 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio suggest that strong attendance and individualized attention are likely contributing to its overall success. With no middle or high schools in the zip code, Blue Ridge Elementary provides the critical early foundation for students before they transition elsewhere after 7th grade. Overall, it is a stable, high-performing school that punches well above its weight, making it an excellent option for families in the Ararat area.
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