Summary:
Zip code 24641 in Richlands, Virginia is served by a single high school, Richlands High, which educates students in grades 9 through 12 and operates as part of the highly regarded Tazewell County Public Schools district. With 557 students and a low 9.3:1 student-teacher ratio, Richlands High is the only secondary school in this area, so all comparisons must be made against district and state benchmarks rather than neighboring schools.
The school's strongest results are in mathematics, where 9th-grade Algebra II has achieved 100% proficiency for two consecutive years and Algebra I proficiency sits near 94%, well above state averages. English Reading in 11th grade is also a bright spot at roughly 94%, and the school posts an excellent 96.4% graduation rate with a 2.1% dropout rate that is less than half the state average. These outcomes are particularly notable given that 88.51% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch. However, chronic absenteeism is a serious concern at 25.4% — more than 10 points above the state rate of 14.8%. Biology and Geography scores hover near or below district and state averages, and the school's overall state ranking has slipped from the 86th percentile (45th in Virginia) in 2023-2024 to the 62nd percentile (127th) in 2025-2026.
Looking deeper, Richlands High achieves above expectations with modest resources, spending $9,085 per student. The backing of its district — ranked 19th out of 131 Virginia districts with a 4-star rating — likely contributes to curriculum consistency and professional development. In short, parents can expect a school that excels in core subjects like math and reading, keeps students on track to graduate, and provides personalized attention through small class sizes. The main areas to watch are chronic absenteeism and science performance, both of which represent opportunities for improvement. With strong district support and proven results despite high economic need, Richlands High offers a solid educational foundation for families in the 24641 area.
Thank you for your feedback!