Summary:
Zip code 24112 is home to two public middle schools serving grades 6–8: Laurel Park Middle and Martinsville Middle. Though they share the same zip code, these schools belong to different divisions—Henry County Public Schools and Martinsville City Public Schools—offering an interesting cross-district comparison. Both schools serve predominantly high-poverty populations, with free/reduced lunch rates near or above 100%, reflecting the economic challenges facing local families.
Laurel Park Middle is the stronger academic performer in most subjects. In 2025–2026, it outpaced Martinsville Middle in 8th grade reading (68.31% vs. 58.18%), 8th grade Algebra I (98.28% vs. 85.26%), 6th grade math (68.64% vs. 66.67%), and 8th grade science (47.33% vs. 44.55%). Laurel Park also posted a remarkable 95% proficiency rate in 8th grade Geography in 2024–2025. However, chronic absenteeism is a major concern, with 22.9% of its students chronically absent—nearly double the state rate. Martinsville Middle, meanwhile, stands out for attendance (12.0% chronic absenteeism), a lower 11.0 student-teacher ratio, and higher per-student spending at $10,949. It also achieves perfect proficiency in 7th grade Algebra I and 8th grade Algebra II.
These schools present an interesting contrast: Martinsville spends about 29% more per student and has smaller classes, yet Laurel Park posts higher test scores. State rankings reflect the volatility—Laurel Park improved to 309th out of 416 schools in 2025–2026, while Martinsville dropped to 343rd after jumping to 288th the prior year. Both schools trail the state in reading and science, but advanced math is a clear strength: Algebra I proficiency far exceeds state averages at both schools. For parents, Laurel Park offers stronger overall academics but struggles with attendance, while Martinsville offers a more supportive staffing environment and excellent advanced math pathways despite mixed results.
Thank you for your feedback!