Summary:
Zip code 24277 (Pennington Gap, VA) contains just two public schools—Elk Knob Elementary (grades PK–5, 291 students) and Pennington Middle (grades 6–8, 278 students)—both part of Lee County Public Schools, with no high school located in the area. Both schools serve a highly economically disadvantaged population, with 87.63% of Elk Knob students and 99.64% of Pennington students receiving free or reduced lunch.
Pennington Middle is the clear standout in this zip code. It ranks in the 64th percentile of Virginia middle schools (149 out of 416) and improved from 189th the previous year. The school's math results are exceptional given its high-poverty context: 7th grade math proficiency is 85.88% versus 51.11% statewide, 8th grade Algebra I proficiency is 100%, and 8th grade World History I is also 100%. Chronic absenteeism is remarkably low at 1.1% compared to 14.8% statewide. Pennington Middle also benefits from higher per-student spending ($11,496 vs. $9,441) and a lower student-teacher ratio (9.1 vs. 12.2) than Elk Knob Elementary.
Elk Knob Elementary has bright spots but has seen its state ranking slip from the 54th percentile (3 stars) in 2023–2024 to the 31st percentile (2 stars) in 2025–2026. Early-grade reading is a strength—3rd grade reading proficiency is 84.44% versus 67.61% statewide—but reading drops below state averages by 4th and 5th grades. Science is the school's biggest weakness, with only 40% of 5th graders passing the SOL Science test versus 68.75% statewide. Chronic absenteeism is low at 4.8%, but the overall trend at Elk Knob contrasts sharply with the upward trajectory at Pennington Middle. The district, Lee County Public Schools, ranks 63rd out of 131 Virginia districts—mid-pack—which highlights how much school-level outcomes can vary even within the same district.
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