Summary:
Zip code 24479, covering the Swoope, Virginia area, is served by a single high school: Buffalo Gap High, which enrolls 410 students in grades 9–12 as part of Augusta County Public Schools. Because only one high school exists in this zip code, the insights below focus entirely on Buffalo Gap High’s performance relative to its district and the state of Virginia.
Buffalo Gap High is a predominantly economically disadvantaged school (58.78% free/reduced lunch) that achieves standout outcomes in several areas. Its graduation rate is an excellent 97.3%, far above the district (93.4%) and state (92.3%), while its dropout rate is a remarkably low 0.8% compared to 5.0% statewide. The school also shines in math: 9th-grade Geometry proficiency reached 95.65% and Algebra I hit 94.64% in 2025–2026, both well above state averages. Science scores are also strong, with Biology (79.59%) and Earth Science (81.82%) outperforming Virginia averages by about 7–10 points. With a favorable 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio and spending of $11,833 per student, the school appears to use its resources effectively in STEM areas.
However, there are clear areas of concern. Only 81.18% of 11th graders were proficient in English Reading in 2025–2026, lagging the district and state by roughly 7 points, though 12th-grade reading jumped to 90%. Chronic absenteeism is notably high at 19.4%, exceeding both district (14.9%) and state (14.8%) levels. The school’s overall state ranking has also slipped from 77th (2023–2024) to 102nd to 136th (2025–2026), settling at the 59th percentile. Families considering Buffalo Gap High will find a school with exceptional graduation rates, strong math and science instruction, and low dropout numbers—but they should be aware of the reading proficiency gap, rising absenteeism, and the school’s declining rank, which suggest areas where targeted support may be needed.
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