Summary:
Zip code 24273 (Norton, Virginia) is served by two public high schools—Central High (grades 9–12) and J.I. Burton High (grades 8–12)—that, despite extreme economic disadvantage (91% and 99% free/reduced lunch eligibility, respectively), achieve graduation and dropout rates far better than the state average.
Central High is the clear standout, ranking 4th out of 331 Virginia high schools for 2025–2026 (99th percentile, 5 stars), up from #10 in 2023–2024 and #7 in 2024–2025. Its 99.4% graduation rate and 0.5% dropout rate far exceed state averages, and SOL proficiency is consistently strong—98% in Algebra I, 100% in Algebra II, and 94% in 11th-grade reading. By contrast, J.I. Burton High ranks 149th (55th percentile, 3 stars) and has declined from #62 in 2023–2024. Still, Burton graduates 98.6% of its students and posts a 12.7% chronic absenteeism rate—actually better than Central’s 14.7% and the state average of 14.8%. Burton also spends more per student ($10,666 vs. $7,877 at Central) and has a lower student–teacher ratio (13.6 vs. 16.5), yet its academics lag, especially in social studies: 45% proficiency in 10th-grade Geography and 67% in World History I, versus Central’s 91% in World History I.
For families in this ZIP code, the two schools offer very different profiles. Central High, part of Wise County Public Schools, is elite statewide and delivers top-tier academics despite high poverty. J.I. Burton High, in Norton City Public Schools, offers smaller classes, includes 8th grade, and is closing the graduation gap, but its academic ranking has slipped. Both schools keep nearly all students in school—a remarkable achievement given that 90–99% of students come from low-income households. Parents seeking the strongest test scores and state ranking will favor Central High, while those valuing smaller class sizes and a K-8 style transition may find J.I. Burton a supportive, high-graduation option.
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