Summary:
Zip code 24184 in Wirtz, Virginia, contains exactly one public school: Dudley Elementary, a PK–5 elementary school serving 317 students within Franklin County Public Schools. With no middle or high schools in the area, families send older students outside the zip code, making Dudley the foundational school for the community. Despite 88% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, the school maintains a low 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio and a chronic absenteeism rate of 11.3%, about 4 points below both the district (15.4%) and state (14.8%).
Dudley Elementary earned a 3-star rating and ranked 399th out of 1,111 Virginia elementary schools in 2025–2026 (64th percentile), improving from 498th the prior year. Its average SOL proficiency rose from 74.2% to 78.7%, moving from below its district to slightly above it. The school exceeds state averages in 7 of 8 reported test categories, with standout 4th grade results: 93.48% proficient in Virginia Studies (state: 70.52%), 89.13% in math (state: 73.29%), and 84.78% in reading (state: 73.70%). Fifth grade science is also strong at 81.67%, about 13 points above the state. The district, Franklin County Public Schools, ranks 38th out of 131 Virginia districts with 4 stars.
The biggest red flag is 3rd grade reading, which plunged from 76.09% to 54.17% proficiency year over year, falling far below the district (68.65%) and state (67.61%). Because the school enrolls only 317 students, grade-level cohorts are small, so such swings may reflect cohort variability; nevertheless, early literacy support appears warranted. Overall, Dudley Elementary shows that high poverty need not limit achievement. It beats state averages in most subjects, keeps attendance strong, and is trending upward in rankings and test scores. Parents should see a solid, improving school with one clear priority: strengthening 3rd grade reading.
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