Summary:
Zip code 24084 contains two schools—Pulaski County Senior High and Dublin Elementary—both in the Pulaski County Public Schools district, covering grades PK-12 with about 1,570 students and no standalone middle school in the area. Pulaski County Senior High (grades 9–12) is the larger school at 1,159 students, while Dublin Elementary (grades PK–5) serves 411. The district is rated 3 stars, ranking 59th out of 131 Virginia districts, yet the two schools sit at different levels of performance relative to their peers.
Dublin Elementary is the clear standout. Its chronic absenteeism rate is just 6.1%—less than half the state average of 14.8%—and its 5th graders exceed state proficiency averages in reading (84% vs. 72.42%), math (81.63% vs. 72.39%), and science (78% vs. 68.75%). The school ranks at the 50th percentile statewide with 3 stars. Pulaski County Senior High, meanwhile, ranks at the 36th percentile with 2 stars. The high school does earn positive marks for graduating 92.7% of students and keeping its dropout rate at 2.9%, well below the state's 5.0%. However, its chronic absenteeism rate of 27.8% is nearly double the state average, a serious concern for a school where 91% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Academically, the high school shows dramatic swings. Strengths include 11th grade writing at 98.61% proficiency and 9th grade geometry at 97.3%, but 9th grade World History sits at just 20.83%. Even more striking, 11th grade Biology proficiency plummeted from 77.27% to 13.04% in one year, possibly due to a small cohort or testing change. The high school also spends more per student ($11,484) than the elementary school ($9,795). For parents, the big picture is an elementary school that builds a strong foundation but a high school that struggles with attendance and inconsistent subject performance. The 21.7-point gap in chronic absenteeism between the two schools suggests problems emerge during secondary years, making attendance a key factor to watch.
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