Summary:
Zip code 24330 in rural Grayson County, Virginia, is served by a single public elementary school, Fries Elementary, which enrolls 231 students in grades PK through 7. Because there is only one school, this summary focuses entirely on that school and how it compares to its district, Grayson County Public Schools, and the state of Virginia.
Fries Elementary is a high-poverty school, with roughly 96% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch, yet its chronic absenteeism rate of 12.1% is actually better than both the district (13.3%) and the state (14.8%). The school also maintains a very low student-teacher ratio of 9:1 and spends about $13,383 per student. Academically, math is a clear strength: in 2024-2025, every tested grade scored above the Virginia state average, with 7th grade math nearly 20 points higher than the state. The following year, math remained above state averages. However, reading has become a concern, especially in 2025-2026, when 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade reading proficiency all fell well below state averages. Science and 4th grade VA Studies also dropped significantly, while 7th grade Civics stayed near the state average.
The school’s statewide ranking has been volatile, slipping from the 57th percentile in 2024-2025 (3 stars) to the 34th percentile in 2025-2026 (2 stars). This drop aligns with declines in reading, science, and social studies, not math. Because each grade has only about 25–30 students, year-to-year swings of 10 or more percentage points can happen easily, so the data should be viewed with caution. Still, the overall picture is of a small, rural school that does very well in math and attendance, but needs more support in reading and lower-elementary social studies and science. The district itself ranks 37th out of 131 districts in Virginia with 4 stars, so Fries Elementary’s individual performance is not necessarily reflective of the entire district’s quality.
Thank you for your feedback!