Schools in Zip Code 24236

ZIP code 24236 in Damascus, Virginia, is served by two schools in Washington County Public Schools: Holston High (grades 9–12, 254 students) and Damascus Middle (grades 6–8, 188 students), with no elementary schools in the immediate area.

Both schools serve a high-poverty population — roughly three of four students qualify for free/reduced lunch — yet they outperform state averages in most subjects. Holston High is the standout: it has climbed from the 87th to the 97th percentile in state rankings over two years, now ranked 10th in Virginia with a 5-star rating. Its graduation rate is 96.4%, its dropout rate is 2.3%, and 9th graders post 100% proficiency in Geometry and 97.6% in Algebra I. Damascus Middle is also strong, ranking in the 76th percentile after a dramatic one-year rebound from the 52nd percentile. Its 8th graders achieve 100% proficiency in Algebra I, and its 6th-grade math proficiency (82.1%) is nearly 20 points above the state average. Damascus Middle also has a healthier attendance picture (12.2% chronic absenteeism) than Holston High (20.7%).

For parents, the biggest takeaway is that this is a small but high-performing cluster. Damascus Middle spends more per pupil ($14,871 vs. $13,470) and has a slightly lower student-teacher ratio, which may help explain its strong math acceleration. The main concerns are Holston High's elevated chronic absenteeism (20.7% vs. the state's 14.8%) and an 8th-grade dip in reading and math at the middle school, though students appear to recover quickly once they reach high school. The feeder relationship is well aligned: 8th graders leave Damascus Middle ready for Algebra I, and 9th graders at Holston High post near-perfect math scores. Families with younger children should note that elementary options are outside the ZIP code.