Summary:
Zip code 24101, located in the Hardy, Virginia area, is served by a single school: Windy Gap Elementary. This PK–5 school enrolls 391 students and is part of Franklin County Public Schools, a district ranked 38th out of 131 in Virginia. Since there are no middle or high schools in this zip code, students in Hardy must travel outside the area for secondary schooling, making Windy Gap the foundational entry point for local education. The school has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio and spends $10,283 per student.
Windy Gap Elementary has shown a strong upward trajectory in statewide rankings, climbing from the 69th percentile (3 stars) in 2023–2024 to the 81st percentile (4 stars) in 2025–2026. Despite an 86.96% free/reduced lunch rate, the school exceeded state averages in all 8 tested subject/grade combinations in 2025–2026 and topped district averages in 6 of 8. The 5th grade cohort is particularly exceptional, posting 97.92% proficiency in math and 95.83% in science, compared to state averages of 72.39% and 68.75%. The school also made large year-over-year gains in 5th grade science (+18 points), 3rd grade reading (+13.8), and 3rd grade math (+13). The only soft spots were 4th grade math and reading, which dipped but remained above state averages.
The standout story here is high poverty paired with high performance. Nearly 9 in 10 students face economic challenges, yet the school's chronic absenteeism rate of 12.3% is lower than both the district (15.4%) and state (14.8%). Strong attendance, effective instruction, and a particularly strong 5th grade class all appear to be driving success. Windy Gap Elementary is a notable success story within Franklin County Public Schools and an improving, high-performing option for families with elementary-aged children in the Hardy area.
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