Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 24445

There is one elementary school in zip code 24445: Valley Elementary, a small rural school in Hot Springs, Virginia, serving grades PK through 7 with 184 students as part of Bath County Public Schools. Since this is the only school in the area, the following highlights focus on its performance, strengths, and areas needing attention.

Valley Elementary is a strong performer overall, especially given that nearly all students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The school’s district ranks 21st out of 131 Virginia districts (84th percentile), and Valley itself improved from the 53rd to the 70th percentile in state rankings in just one year. Mathematics is a clear standout: proficiency rates exceed the state average at every grade level, with 5th grade math at 95% (22 points above the state), and 6th and 7th grade math also outperforming state averages by 16–20 points. Science and social studies are similarly strong, with 5th grade science at 80% and both VA Studies and Civics above state averages. Reading is more mixed: grades 4–7 generally beat the state, but 3rd grade reading is a significant weakness at 52.94% proficiency compared to 67.61% statewide. Chronic absenteeism is low at just 9.6%, well below the state rate of 14.8%.

The school has shown dramatic year-over-year improvement, with large gains in 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th grade math (up 14–16 points) and strong growth in 6th grade reading (up nearly 20 points). However, 4th grade reading and math dropped notably, which likely reflects the small cohort size—where just a handful of students can shift percentages by 10 points or more. The free/reduced lunch rate is reported at 100.54%, essentially confirming universal economic disadvantage, yet academic outcomes remain above average. The main call to action is 3rd grade literacy, which is critical for future success. With low absenteeism, a wide grade span, and a consistent upward trend, Valley Elementary is a resilient, improving school that is clearly exceeding expectations for its demographic profile.