Summary:
Zip code 24422 is home to just one elementary school: Sharon Elementary in Clifton Forge, Virginia, serving grades PK through 5 and enrolling 216 students within the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools district. For parents exploring this area, the big takeaway is simple: this is a highly successful school that consistently outperforms both its district and the state, even while serving a student body where 84% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Academically, Sharon Elementary is a standout. It ranks 44th out of 1,111 Virginia elementary schools for 2025-2026, placing it in the 96th percentile with a 5-star rating, and it has ranked in the top 13% of schools for three straight years. Test scores reinforce this picture: math proficiency averages 96.8% compared to 73.2% statewide, reading averages 88.3% versus 71.2%, science hits 87.9% versus 68.8%, and Virginia Studies reaches 92.9% versus 70.5%. In the most recent year, third, fourth, and fifth grade math all landed between 96% and 97% proficient, and fourth grade Virginia Studies hit nearly 93%. While reading is strong, it shows a bit more variation—ranging from 84.85% in fifth grade to 90.63% in third.
What makes these results even more impressive is the context. Chronic absenteeism at Sharon Elementary is just 13.6%, which is less than half the district's 27.3% rate and essentially matches the state average of 14.8%. The school also benefits from a low student-teacher ratio of 13.5, allowing for more individualized attention. Despite the district overall earning only a 2-star rating and ranking in the 49th percentile of Virginia districts, Sharon Elementary reaches the 96th percentile—a sign that strong school-level leadership and instructional practices are making a real difference for students. For parents, this is a school that delivers exceptional academic outcomes while maintaining strong attendance and a supportive learning environment.
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