For the 2025-26 school year, there are 8 public elementary schools serving 2,047 students in Mcdowell County Schools. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in West Virginia.
Public Elementary Schools in Mcdowell County Schools have an average math proficiency score of 20% (versus the West Virginia public elementary school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 26% (versus the 40% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the West Virginia public elementary school average of 12% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (WV)
# Schools
10 Schools
545 Schools
# Students
2,444 Students
171,756 Students
# Teachers
181 Teachers
13,262 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Mcdowell County Schools, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 57 school districts in West Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 85% has decreased from 92% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#54 out of 57 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
19%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
27%
41%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
14%
28%
Graduation Rate
85%
91%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.22
0.22
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
1%
2%
% Black
7%
4%
% White
88%
88%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $17,922 is higher than the state median of $15,982. The school district revenue/student has grown by 10% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $17,162 is higher than the state median of $15,156. The school district spending/student has grown by 10% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$44 MM
$3,933 MM
Spending
$42 MM
$3,730 MM
Revenue / Student
$17,922
$15,982
Spending / Student
$17,162
$15,156
Best Mcdowell County Schools Public Elementary Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Fall River Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
13 Falcon Drive
Big Sandy, WV 24816
(304) 656-7665
Big Sandy, WV 24816
(304) 656-7665
Gr: PK-5 | 118 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #22.
Welch Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1235 Stewart St
Welch, WV 24801
(304) 436-4645
Welch, WV 24801
(304) 436-4645
Gr: PK-5 | 216 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #33.
Bradshaw Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
740 Mountaineer Highway
Bradshaw, WV 24817
(304) 967-7700
Bradshaw, WV 24817
(304) 967-7700
Gr: PK-5 | 256 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Iaeger Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
182 Water Street
Iaeger, WV 24844
(304) 938-2227
Iaeger, WV 24844
(304) 938-2227
Gr: PK-5 | 221 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Kimball Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
28631 Coal Heritage Road
Kimball, WV 24853
(304) 585-7570
Kimball, WV 24853
(304) 585-7570
Gr: PK-5 | 169 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #66.
Southside K-8
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
13509 Rocket Boy Drive
War, WV 24892
(304) 875-2238
War, WV 24892
(304) 875-2238
Gr: PK-8 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #77.
Sandy River Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
36 Sandy River Way
Avondale, WV 24811
(304) 967-5364
Avondale, WV 24811
(304) 967-5364
Gr: 6-8 | 221 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: #88.
Mount View High School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
950 Mount View Rd
Welch, WV 24801
(304) 436-2939
Welch, WV 24801
(304) 436-2939
Gr: 6-12 | 553 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Recent Articles

Texas Schools Enrollment Trends & Policy in 2025
Latest data and policy changes on Texas public school enrollment growth, funding, and virtual education in 2025.

Financial Aid & Hidden Costs in Public Schools
Learn about financial aid and hidden costs in public schools. Discover what parents should budget for beyond tuition-free education.

NYC Schools Still Most Segregated in 2025
Despite reforms, New York City schools remain the most segregated in the U.S. in 2025. Here鈥檚 what parents and educators need to know.