2024 Best Elementary Schools in West Virginia

The Complete Guide to Elementary Schools in West Virginia

West Virginia is widely considered a rural state, but there are still over 500 elementary schools (551). This might sound like a large number until you consider that this is 28% less than the typical state, and on a per capita basis, West Virginia ranks #12 in the nation for elementary schools. In terms of size, most schools in the state have relatively few students with an average of just 264 per school - that’s 31% fewer than the national average of 382 students. Despite having smaller schools on average, student to teacher ratio typically is lower in West Virginia with an average of 13 students per teacher, which is about 7% lower than the typical US elementary school.

The overall grade for the state’s elementary schools is a B, which is equal to the national average. Of the 551 public and private elementary schools in the state, 27% are rated above average.

Are public elementary schools in West Virginia a good option?

West Virginia has 454 total public elementary schools, which equates to 82% of the total elementary school count. The typical grade for traditional public schools in West Virginia is a B–, which is slightly below the national average. Additionally, these schools tend to be slightly larger than most states at 295 students per school on average - which means 23% more students than the typical US elementary school. Although somewhat concerning it must be noted that there are still plenty of options for those looking for an above average school; about 30% or 136 of these traditional public schools are rated higher than their national counterparts.

What is the best public elementary school in West Virginia?

The best public elementary school in West Virginia is North Elementary School located in Morgantown - home of West Virginia University. The school has 592 students and a student to teacher ratio of 14:1, slightly higher than the national average but still very respectable. North Elementary School earns an A grade and provides its students with quality instruction and resources due to its excellent management team.

Everything you need to know about charter and magnet elementary schools in West Virginia

Charter and magnet elementary schools are much less common in West Virginia than private options; there are zero charter or magnet options in the state. The lack of such specialty schools may be a disadvantage for some parents who view such options as high quality alternatives to traditional public education.

All you need to know about private elementary schools in West Virginia

West Virginia does offer 96 different private elementary school options, however this number actually places it 26th nationally. In other words, there are no more private options per capita than most states, so although there will be some quality choices parents may need to look elsewhere if they want more variety. It's worth noting though that due to their much smaller sizes (just 119 students per school on average), these private alternatives might be more suitable for those seeking a less crowded learning environment for their child.

Are religious elementary schools a good option?

Religious/faith based schooling can be an attractive option for many parents looking not only for quality instruction within their faith tradition but also providing consistency between home and school values while being taught by staff who understand and already embrace those same values. 85 different religious based elementary schools exist in West Virginia making up 89% of all private options within the state. The most common type of religious leaning offered is Christian with 65 distinct Christian based schools existing across the state; that's just 6 less than all other non-Christian religious schools combined! The typical student size at these religious institutions is 122 students per school on average - 68% lower than the typical US elementary school size - making it great choice for some when considering smaller class sizes as well as embracing faith based teachings and values outside of home life.

What is the best religious elementary school in West Virginia?

The best rated religious/faith based school in West Virginia is Trinity Christian School located in Morgantown - yet another great option for western Virginians looking for quality education within their faith tradition. Although it's considered just a B+ level grade (slightly below average) it's worth noting that this grade seems somewhat skewed due to its incredibly small size of 279 students - 36% lower than the national student to teacher ratio!