Best Public Schools in Zip Code 24148

Zip code 24148 in Ridgeway, Virginia contains exactly two schools — Magna Vista High (grades 9–12, 1,147 students) and Drewry Mason Elementary (grades PK–5, 382 students) — both part of Henry County Public Schools, with no middle school in the immediate area. The district ranks 91 out of 131 Virginia divisions (31st percentile, 2-star rating), and both schools serve extremely high-poverty populations: 98.08% of Magna Vista students and 98.95% of Drewry Mason students qualify for free/reduced lunch.

Drewry Mason Elementary is clearly the standout school in this zip code. Despite its near-universal poverty rate, the school earned 3 stars and ranks in the 69th percentile of Virginia elementary schools, with an average SOL proficiency of 79.8% — well above the district's 70.8% and the state's 71.6%. It outperforms state averages in nearly every subject and grade level, and its chronic absenteeism rate of 12.3% beats the state's 14.8%. By contrast, Magna Vista High earned just 1 star and sits in the 15th percentile of Virginia high schools, with a 54.8% average SOL proficiency. The high school does shine in graduation metrics, however, posting a 90.5% graduation rate versus the district's 86.1% and a 4.1% dropout rate — less than half the district's 9.2%.

The most striking takeaway is that both schools share nearly identical poverty levels, yet their outcomes diverge dramatically. Chronic absenteeism is a major concern at Magna Vista High (23.7%) versus just 12.3% at Drewry Mason Elementary. Spending also differs notably, with the elementary school receiving $8,948 per student compared to $7,283 at the high school. Magna Vista also shows wide subject-level swings — from 91.9% proficiency in Geometry to just 9.1% in World History II — suggesting uneven instruction. With no middle school in the zip code, students leave the area after 5th grade, which may contribute to the academic drop-off. For parents, the picture is clear: Drewry Mason Elementary is a high-performing, rapidly improving school, while Magna Vista High offers solid graduation outcomes but concerning academic proficiency.