Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 24401

Zip code 24401 in the Staunton, Virginia area is home to 4 elementary schools serving roughly 1,908 students across grades K-5 (with Riverheads also serving Pre-K). The schools span two districts: Staunton City Public Schools and Augusta County Public Schools. All four schools serve a high proportion of economically disadvantaged students, with free/reduced-price lunch eligibility ranging from 72.8% to 84.9%.

Thomas C. McSwain Elementary is the clear academic leader. Ranked 222nd out of 1,111 elementary schools statewide (80th percentile, 4 stars), it posts an average SOL proficiency of 83.4% and the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the group at 7.4% — roughly half the state average — all while having the highest free/reduced-price lunch rate (84.9%). Arthur R. Ware Elementary is the most improved, jumping from rank 495 to 333 (70th percentile, 4 stars) with strong math scores between 83.6% and 86.8%. Bessie Weller Elementary has climbed steadily from the 53rd to the 61st percentile over three years and exceeds state averages in 3rd grade reading and 5th grade science. Riverheads Elementary, the largest school at 714 students and the only Augusta County school in the zip code, trails with a 38th percentile ranking and 68.3% average proficiency, though it beats state averages in 5th grade science and 4th grade Virginia Studies.

Several patterns stand out. Chronic absenteeism closely tracks performance: the three Staunton City schools have rates between 7.4% and 8.0%, while Riverheads sits at 15.5%, above the state rate. Spending per student does not explain outcomes — McSwain spends less ($9,745) than Bessie Weller ($10,913) or Ware ($11,600) yet outperforms both. There is also a clear district divide: Staunton City Public Schools ranks 25th out of 131 districts in Virginia, while Augusta County Public Schools ranks 75th. For parents, McSwain, Ware, and Bessie Weller all offer solid options, with McSwain the standout. Riverheads, despite lower overall rankings, shows strengths in science and social studies, though its higher absenteeism and different district context make it something of an outlier.