Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 24134

Zip code 24134 is served by a single elementary school: Macy McClaugherty Elementary/Middle in Pearisburg, Virginia, a combined PK-7 school with 440 students in the Giles County Public Schools district. Though it is the only school in this area, that designation masks a school with distinct internal strengths and challenges. The school's overall proficiency average improved from 59.6% to 64.6% year over year, but it still trails the district (68.9%) and state (69.5%). Its ranking also improved from the 24th to 30th percentile, though it remains a 1-star school serving a high-poverty population, with 65.91% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch and a chronic absenteeism rate of 18.6% — well above the district and state.

The clearest bright spot is 7th grade, where students exceed both district and state averages in math (65.45% vs. 56.4% district and 51.11% state) and reading (78.18% vs. 68.79% and 73.01%). Reading growth is a strong school-wide trend, rising from 64.1% to 70.2% proficiency, now nearly matching the state average, with especially large gains in 4th and 6th grades. Fourth grade Virginia Studies also saw a remarkable turnaround, jumping from 22% to 71.43% proficiency in one year, now essentially matching the state average. These results suggest effective instruction and intervention in several key areas, even as the school's overall profile remains below average.

The biggest concern is math. School-wide math proficiency declined from 62.7% to 60.8%, while the district improved sharply from 61.2% to 68.5%, creating a widening gap. The steepest drop was in 3rd grade math, falling 18 points to 58.82%. Science and civics also show mixed results: 5th grade science sits at 57.14% versus 68.75% statewide, and civics is above the district but far below the state. Given the high poverty rate and chronic absenteeism, these academic gaps are not surprising, but the school's low student-teacher ratio of 10.2 and strong reading progress show real potential. In short, Macy McClaugherty is improving and has genuine bright spots, but elementary math and attendance remain the key areas needing attention.