Best Public Schools in Zip Code 24280

Schools in zip code 24280 (Rosedale, VA) include just one school, Belfast Elementary, a Pre-K through 5th grade school serving 141 students in the Russell County Public Schools district, with no middle or high schools located within the zip code itself.

Belfast Elementary is the only school in the area and is an exceptional performer despite serving a high-poverty population. In the 2025-2026 school year, it ranked 142nd out of 1,111 Virginia elementary schools (87th percentile, 4 stars), following two consecutive years in the top 5% statewide: 32nd in 2023-2024 and 16th in 2024-2025. Its test scores are far above district and state averages in nearly every grade and subject. For example, 3rd grade math proficiency was 100% versus 77.1% for the district and 74% statewide, while 5th grade reading proficiency reached 94.1% compared to 72.6% for the district and 72.4% statewide. Even in the weakest subject area, 4th grade Virginia Studies, the school hit 75% proficiency, matching the district and beating the state average of 70.5%.

The most striking finding is that 91.5% of Belfast Elementary students qualify for free or reduced lunch, yet the school consistently outperforms wealthier schools across Virginia. This high-poverty, high-achievement profile makes it a true outlier in southwestern Virginia. However, the school has slipped slightly from its elite status, with average proficiency across tested subjects falling from roughly 96% in 2024-2025 to about 89% in 2025-2026, and its statewide rank dropping from 16th to 142nd. Chronic absenteeism is a notable concern, with 22.0% of students missing significant school time, well above the district rate of 13.9% and state rate of 14.8%. The school also benefits from a favorable 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio and spends $6,294 per pupil. Families should note that after 5th grade, students must leave the zip code for middle and high school, and while Russell County Public Schools as a whole ranks only 80th out of 131 districts, Belfast Elementary itself remains a standout school worth considering for elementary-aged children.