For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public preschools serving 2,230 students in Mercer County, WV.
The top ranked public preschools in Mercer County, WV are Athens Elementary School, Oakvale School and Lashmeet/matoaka Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Mercer County, WV public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 29% (versus the West Virginia public pre school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 41% statewide average). Pre schools in Mercer County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of West Virginia public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the West Virginia public preschool average of 11% (majority Black).
Best Public Preschools in Mercer County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Athens Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
205 S State Street
Athens, WV 24712
(304) 384-9229
Athens, WV 24712
(304) 384-9229
Grades: PK-5
| 231 students
Rank: #22.
Oakvale School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2503 Goodwins Chapel Rd
Princeton, WV 24739
(304) 898-2541
Princeton, WV 24739
(304) 898-2541
Grades: PK-5
| 186 students
Rank: #33.
Lashmeet/matoaka Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5709 Matoaka Rd
Matoaka, WV 24736
(304) 467-8282
Matoaka, WV 24736
(304) 467-8282
Grades: PK-5
| 178 students
Rank: #44.
Spanishburg
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
8544 Beckley Road
Spanishburg, WV 25922
(304) 425-5854
Spanishburg, WV 25922
(304) 425-5854
Grades: PK-5
| 182 students
Rank: #55.
Bluewell Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
205 Bluewell School Rd
Bluefield, WV 24701
(304) 589-5057
Bluefield, WV 24701
(304) 589-5057
Grades: PK-5
| 170 students
Rank: #66.
Montcalm Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
838 Rock Rd
Rock, WV 24747
(304) 589-5202
Rock, WV 24747
(304) 589-5202
Grades: PK-6
| 262 students
Rank: #77.
Mountain Valley Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
977 Blue Prince Rd
Bluefield, WV 24701
(304) 324-7316
Bluefield, WV 24701
(304) 324-7316
Grades: PK-5
| 283 students
Rank: n/an/a
673 West Cumberland Road
Bluefield, WV 24701
(304) 327-6217
Bluefield, WV 24701
(304) 327-6217
Grades: PK-2
| 358 students
Rank: n/an/a
731 Cove Street
Princeton, WV 24740
(304) 425-4251
Princeton, WV 24740
(304) 425-4251
Grades: PK
| 380 students
Mercer County 51±¬ÁÏs (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Alternative Learning Center (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
105 Old Bluefield Road
Princeton, WV 24740
(304) 487-1551
Princeton, WV 24740
(304) 487-1551
Grades: 7-9
| n/a students
Bluefield Alternative Learning Center (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
2002 Stadium Drive
Bluefield, WV 24702
(304) 325-2481
Bluefield, WV 24702
(304) 325-2481
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Po Box 358
Bramwell, WV 24715
(304) 248-7150
Bramwell, WV 24715
(304) 248-7150
Grades: K-6
| 68 students
319 Memorial Avenue
Bluefield, WV 24701
(304) 327-8016
Bluefield, WV 24701
(304) 327-8016
Grades: K-2
| n/a students
Princeton Alternative Learning Center (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
300 N. Johnston Street
Princeton, WV 24740
(304) 487-3138
Princeton, WV 24740
(304) 487-3138
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Sam Perdue Juvenile Center (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
843 Shelter Road
Princeton, WV 24739
(304) 425-4689
Princeton, WV 24739
(304) 425-4689
Grades: 8-12
| 11 students
Sam Purdue Juvenile Center (Closed 2008)
Alternative School
843 Shelter Road
Princeton, WV 24720
(304) 733-6821
Princeton, WV 24720
(304) 733-6821
Grades: 5-12
| 9 students
1919 Maryland Avenue
Bluefield, WV 24701
(304) 327-6217
Bluefield, WV 24701
(304) 327-6217
Grades: K-2
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in Mercer County, WV?
The top ranked public preschools in Mercer County, WV include Athens Elementary School, Oakvale School and Lashmeet/matoaka Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Mercer County?
9 public preschools are located in Mercer County.
What is the racial composition of students in Mercer County?
Mercer County public preschools minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the West Virginia public preschools average of 11% (majority Black).
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.