Best High Schools in Zip Code 24340

ZIP code 24340 (Glade Spring, VA) is served by exactly one high school — Patrick Henry High — a small school of 390 students in grades 9–12 that is part of the highly rated Washington County Public Schools district. This school was once an academic standout, ranking 32nd out of 329 Virginia high schools (top 10%, 5 stars) in 2023–2024, but it has since experienced a sharp decline, falling to 176th out of 331 (47th percentile, 2 stars) by 2025–2026. Despite this ranking collapse, Patrick Henry High maintains excellent student persistence outcomes: a 96.0% graduation rate (above the state's 92.3%) and an exceptionally low 0.9% dropout rate, compared to 5.0% statewide.

Test proficiency at Patrick Henry High declined across every reported subject between 2024–2025 and 2025–2026, with average proficiency falling roughly 9 points, from 89.1% to 80.0%. The steepest drops were in Geometry (down 15.7 points to 81.5% proficient), Algebra I for 9th graders (down 10.0 points to 83.3%), and Biology (down 9.6 points to 68.0%). In the most recent testing year, the school still outperforms state averages in English Reading (90.1%) and both Algebra I exams, but Geometry and Biology now trail the state, and the school has fallen below district averages in Geometry, 9th-grade Algebra I, and Biology — a notable shift for a school that previously led its district in most subjects.

Chronic absenteeism is a growing concern, as 18.2% of students are chronically absent, well above the district rate of 13.8% and state rate of 14.8%. This is particularly significant given the school's high poverty level, with 74.87% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The combination of rising absenteeism and high economic disadvantage helps explain the recent academic slide, though the school's strong graduation and dropout rates show it remains effective at keeping students on track. With a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.8 and per-student spending of $11,547, Patrick Henry High has solid foundational resources — but it will need to address attendance and reverse its academic decline to regain its former elite standing.