For the 2026 school year, there are 3 public middle schools serving 1,067 students in Mcdowell County Schools. This district's average middle testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in West Virginia.
Public Middle Schools in Mcdowell County Schools have an average math proficiency score of 14% (versus the West Virginia public middle school average of 29%), and reading proficiency score of 28% (versus the 40% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the West Virginia public middle school average of 10% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (WV)
# Schools
10 Schools
204 Schools
# Students
2,444 Students
74,303 Students
# Teachers
181 Teachers
5,796 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
0.20
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
n/a
% Hispanic
1%
2%
% Black
7%
4%
% White
88%
90%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
4%
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 19% 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 20% 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 Middle Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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
Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Explore the latest 2026 data, trends, costs, and parent planning tips in the ongoing debate over year-round schooling vs the traditional calendar.
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
Explore how No Child Left Behind evolved into ESSA, what it means for 2025‑26 schooling, and what parents need to know about testing, admissions planning, and funding.
Understanding 51±¬ÁÏ Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Discover what public school fees are required versus optional, with 2026 updates for parents, students, and educators on budgeting and planning.
