Schools in Zip Code 24589

Zip code 24589 in the Scottsburg area of Halifax County, Virginia, is served by two elementary schools—Clays Mill Elementary and Scottsburg Elementary—both serving grades PK-5 under the Halifax County Public Schools district. There are no middle or high schools in this zip code, so students move on to schools outside the immediate area after 5th grade.

Scottsburg Elementary is the clear academic standout, ranking in the 69th percentile statewide (345 out of 1,111 elementary schools) with a 3-star rating, and it exceeds Virginia state averages in every tested subject. By contrast, Clays Mill Elementary has fallen to the 39th percentile (677th) after a sharp decline, largely driven by 3rd grade math and reading scores dropping dramatically from the prior year. Both schools serve very high-poverty populations, with virtually 100% of students eligible for free/reduced lunch, yet Scottsburg still performs above state averages—a notable achievement. Chronic absenteeism is a concern at both schools: 20.5% at Clays Mill and 25.8% at Scottsburg, both well above the state average of 14.8%.

Resource differences are striking. Scottsburg spends about $13,251 per student compared to $10,316 at Clays Mill, and it has a better student-teacher ratio (10.6:1 vs. 12.1:1). Despite this, the two schools are nearly identical in 5th grade reading and math, both scoring exactly 85.19% in math and 77.78% in reading. Clays Mill even outperforms Scottsburg in 5th grade science (77.78% vs. 70.37%). Scottsburg has shown impressive improvement, jumping from the 43rd percentile in 2023–2024 to the 72nd percentile in 2024–2025, and maintaining a strong position since. For parents, Scottsburg offers the more consistent academic record, while Clays Mill may still be a good fit for families focusing on upper elementary strengths—though both schools face significant challenges around poverty and absenteeism.