Summary:
Zip code 24551, covering the Forest area of Virginia, contains a single public high school, Jefferson Forest High, which serves grades 9 through 12 and has emerged as a strong academic performer with a top-25% state ranking. This school is the only high school in the zip code, so all comparisons are made against Bedford County Public Schools and the state of Virginia. Jefferson Forest High is a clear standout for its recent success: it jumped from 167th to 83rd in the state rankings between the 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 school years, earning a 4-star rating, while its average SOL proficiency climbed from 75.5% to 82.9%, well above both the district (73.9%) and state (75.4%). The school also boasts a 95.6% graduation rate, a 2.3% dropout rate, and chronic absenteeism of 11.7%, all better than state averages, indicating strong student engagement and support through graduation.
Academically, Jefferson Forest High excels in literacy and early math. In 2025–2026, 12th graders posted 95.24% proficiency in reading and 81.25% in writing, far exceeding state averages, while 9th graders achieved 100% proficiency in Algebra II and 98.33% in Geometry. However, the school shows some unevenness: 11th-grade Algebra I proficiency (72.22%) trails the state, and both 10th-grade Biology and 9th-grade World History remain below state averages despite significant improvement from the prior year. Biology rose from 35.71% to 66.15%, and World History from 32.89% to 54.84%, but these subjects still represent the most notable academic weaknesses. With only 22.23% of students receiving free or reduced lunch, the school serves a relatively lower-poverty population, which may contribute to its overall performance, though year-to-year variability suggests continued focus is needed in these targeted areas.
There are no other high schools within zip code 24551 for direct local comparison, making Jefferson Forest High the sole reference point for families exploring this area. Its per-student spending of $8,054 and a student–teacher ratio of 17.2 provide context for resource allocation. Overall, Jefferson Forest High is a solid, improving school with exceptional graduation outcomes, strong reading and early math scores, and a state rank in the 75th percentile. The main opportunities for growth lie in upper-level Algebra I, Biology, and World History, where recent results have lagged the state average. For parents, this school offers a well-rounded and academically supportive environment, with notable strengths in literacy and advanced math pathways.
Thank you for your feedback!