Schools in Zip Code 24375

Zip code 24375 contains exactly one school, Sugar Grove Elementary, a PK-5 elementary school with just 88 students in the Smyth County Public Schools district. Because this is the only school serving the area, it is automatically the standout and the sole focus for local families with elementary-age children. There are no middle or high schools in the zip code, so students in grades 6-12 must travel to nearby communities. Sugar Grove Elementary is a small, high-poverty rural school, with 95.45% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch and a low student-teacher ratio of 8.1.

Despite the economic challenges, this school is performing well above expectations. It ranks 319th out of 1,111 Virginia elementary schools (71st percentile, 4 stars) and has improved from a rank of 439 just two years ago. In the most recent school year, Sugar Grove Elementary beat the state average in nearly every tested subject and grade. Strongest results include 3rd grade reading and math at 87.5% proficient, 5th grade math at 84.62%, and 5th grade reading at 84.62%. Chronic absenteeism is remarkably low at just 6.5%, compared to 17.0% district-wide and 14.8% statewide, which likely helps drive academic success. Per-student spending is a high $15,481, reflecting the fixed costs of a tiny rural school and contributing to small class sizes.

The main weakness is 4th grade Virginia Studies, where only 61.54% of students were proficient, well below the district’s 79.07% and the state’s 70.52%. Science scores are inconsistent, swinging from 57.14% one year to 76.92% the next. With only 88 students across all grades, these year-to-year swings likely reflect very small grade cohorts, where a change of just a few students can dramatically alter percentages. Overall, Sugar Grove Elementary is a high-performing school in a strong district (ranked 17th out of 131 districts in Virginia). Families should feel confident about the strong reading and math foundations, while keeping an eye on Virginia Studies and science as areas that may need extra support.