Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 24523

Zip code 24523 contains two elementary schools—Bedford Elementary (grades 2–5, 448 students) and Bedford Primary (grades PK–1, 266 students)—both part of Bedford County Public Schools, a district rated 4 stars and ranked in the top 27% of Virginia districts. Both schools serve very high-poverty populations, with free/reduced lunch rates above 100%, indicating virtually all students qualify for meal assistance.

Bedford Elementary is the only school in the area with state test data, and its recent trend is troubling. The school's state ranking fell from the 29th percentile in 2023–2024 to the 14th percentile in 2025–2026, and it currently holds a 1-star rating. In 2025–2026, average proficiency was 57.5% in math, 56.2% in reading, 61.6% in science, and 53.0% in VA Studies—roughly 15 to 24 points below the district average in every subject. Overall proficiency dropped about 5.7 points in one year, while the district and state stayed flat or improved. Bedford Primary has no test scores because it serves PK–1, but it stands out for different reasons: chronic absenteeism is 22.1%, nearly double the district rate, and it spends $10,636 per student—14% more than Bedford Elementary—with a slightly lower student-teacher ratio (13.4 vs. 14.4).

Chronic absenteeism is a concern at both schools—15.5% at Bedford Elementary and 22.1% at Bedford Primary, both above the state average of 14.8%. Since Bedford Primary feeds directly into Bedford Elementary, high early-grade absenteeism may be setting students up for later academic struggles. The biggest academic gap is in 4th grade VA Studies, where Bedford Elementary's 53.0% proficiency is 24.1 points below the district. The most important takeaway for parents is this: despite being in a strong 4-star district, these two schools face steep challenges tied to extreme poverty and attendance, and Bedford Elementary in particular has fallen far behind district and state averages, with no sign of improvement in recent years.