Summary:
Zip code 24465 (Monterey, VA) is served by a single elementary school, Highland Elementary, which enrolls 105 students in grades PK through 5 and is the only elementary school in Highland County Public Schools.
Highland Elementary is a small, rural school with a favorable 10.5-to-1 student-teacher ratio and a chronic absenteeism rate of 12.6% — notably lower than the district rate of 21.4% and the state rate of 14.8%. About 47.62% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a moderate level of economic need. Per-student spending is $14,111, which is typical of small rural divisions where fixed costs are spread across fewer students. Because it is the district's only elementary school, school-level scores are identical to district-level scores.
Academically, Highland Elementary had a strong 2024-2025 school year, outperforming state averages in 3rd grade reading (88.89% vs. 66.93%), 3rd grade math (83.33% vs. 72.89%), 5th grade math (86.67% vs. 71.56%), and 5th grade science (93.33% vs. 68.94%). However, preliminary 2025-2026 data shows a notable decline: 5th grade science fell by 26.66 points, 5th grade math fell by 20 points, and reading and math scores dropped in most grades. This correlates with the school's drop from a 3-star to a 2-star rating and from the 65th to the 44th percentile statewide. Fourth-grade math remains a persistent weakness (64.29% in 2024-2025 and 58.82% in 2025-2026, both below state averages), while VA Studies improved from 57.14% to 70.59%, essentially matching the state average. Strong attendance and staffing provide a solid foundation for reversing the recent academic slide.
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