New data shows enrollment, proficiency gap in North Central West Virginia schools

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) - Newly released 2026 state assessment results from the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) reveal significant variations in student population and academic performance across 14 North Central West Virginia counties.

According to the state, the overall 2026 proficiency rates now exceed pre-COVID levels in most grades, with a statewide mathematics proficiency rate of 39% (39.4% overall) and English language arts (ELA) proficiency holding steady at 48%. Statewide science proficiency dropped one percentage point from 30% to 29%.

An analysis of local results published on the ZoomWV database shows a strong correlation between a district’s enrollment size and its overall academic proficiency rates. Local school population levels also correspond with several consolidations and closures previously approved by the West Virginia Board of Education.

Comparing the Region’s Performance

An objective comparison of the newly-certified data points across the 14 north central counties highlights the performance gaps within the region:

• Monongalia County Schools recorded the highest academic proficiency in all three measured subject areas, reporting 52.94% in math, 60.58% in reading, and 44.31% in science. It was the only local county to exceed 50% proficiency in math and 60% proficiency in reading.
• Doddridge County Schools recorded the second-highest scores in the region for reading (50.52%) and science (34.89%), and the third-highest in math (40.39%).
• Ritchie County Schools reported the second-highest math proficiency rate in the region at 47.14%.
• Randolph County Schools recorded the region’s lowest proficiency rates in both mathematics (24.20%) and reading (35.49%).
• Webster County Schools reported the second-lowest math proficiency rate in the region at 24.48% and the lowest science proficiency rate at 22.01%.
• Tucker County Schools reported the region’s lowest science proficiency rate at 19.78% and the second-lowest reading proficiency rate at 38.13%.

Below is the local county-by-county breakdown of student enrollment and newly certified 2026 assessment proficiency rates, which combine results across the West Virginia General Summative Assessment (WVGSA), the SAT School Day and the West Virginia Alternate Summative Assessment.

Barbour County Schools

Barbour County previously received approval to close Belington Middle School, Kasson Elementary/Middle School (grades 6-8), Philippi Middle School and Junior Elementary School.

• Enrollment: Approximately 1,900 students
• Math Proficiency: 29.80% (15.07% meets, 14.73% exceeds)
• Reading Proficiency: 32.61% (20.71% meets, 11.90% exceeds)
• Science Proficiency: 19.52% (12.57% meets, 6.95% exceeds)

Doddridge County Schools

• Enrollment: Slightly more than 1,000 students
• Math Proficiency: 40.39% (18.01% meets, 22.38% exceeds)
• Reading Proficiency: 50.52% (33.04% meets, 17.48% exceeds)
• Science Proficiency: 34.89% (23.83% meets, 11.06% exceeds)

Gilmer County Schools

• Enrollment: Slightly more than 1,000 students
• Math Proficiency: 37.72% (19.76% meets, 17.96% exceeds)
• Reading Proficiency: 45.08% (30.45% meets, 14.63% exceeds)
• Science Proficiency: 25.00% (18.42% meets, 6.58% exceeds)

Harrison County Schools

• Enrollment: Over 10,000 students
• Math Proficiency: 40.00% (19.75% meets, 20.25% exceeds)
• Reading Proficiency: 49.37% (31.42% meets, 17.95% exceeds)
• Science Proficiency: 30.52% (20.49% meets, 10.03% exceeds)

Lewis County Schools

• Enrollment: Approximately 2,200 students
• Math Proficiency: 28.75% (16.77% meets, 11.98% exceeds)
• Reading Proficiency: 35.87% (24.78% meets, 11.09% exceeds)
• Science Proficiency: 23.13% (17.76% meets, 5.37% exceeds)

Marion County Schools

• Enrollment: Approximately 7,100 students
• Math Proficiency: 41.01% (18.11% meets, 22.90% exceeds)
• Reading Proficiency: 50.02% (27.59% meets, 22.43% exceeds)
• Science Proficiency: 29.74% (19.16% meets, 10.58% exceeds)

Monongalia County Schools

• Enrollment: Over 11,000 students
• Math Proficiency: 52.94% (18.07% meets, 34.87% exceeds)
• Reading Proficiency: 60.58% (30.45% meets, 30.13% exceeds)
• Science Proficiency: 44.31% (22.59% meets, 21.72% exceeds)

Preston County Schools

• Enrollment: Approximately 4,200 students
• Math Proficiency: 35.87% (16.45% meets, 19.42% exceeds)
• Reading Proficiency: 43.41% (25.57% meets, 17.84% exceeds)
• Science Proficiency: 27.90% (17.40% meets, 10.50% exceeds)

Randolph County Schools

Randolph County previously received approval to close Harman K-12 School and North Elementary School.

• Enrollment: Approximately 3,600 students
• Math Proficiency: 24.20% (14.16% meets, 10.04% exceeds)
• Reading Proficiency: 35.49% (24.77% meets, 10.72% exceeds)
• Science Proficiency: 21.46% (16.06% meets, 5.40% exceeds)

Ritchie County Schools

• Enrollment: Slightly more than 1,000 students
• Math Proficiency: 47.14% (16.41% meets, 30.73% exceeds)
• Reading Proficiency: 48.29% (28.63% meets, 19.66% exceeds)
• Science Proficiency: 22.71% (13.54% meets, 9.17% exceeds)

Taylor County Schools

• Enrollment: Approximately 2,200 students
• Math Proficiency: 33.17% (16.84% meets, 16.33% exceeds)
• Reading Proficiency: 39.49% (25.31% meets, 14.18% exceeds)
• Science Proficiency: 25.49% (18.38% meets, 7.11% exceeds)

Tucker County Schools

• Enrollment: Fewer than 1,000 students
• Math Proficiency: 31.37% (17.86% meets, 13.51% exceeds)
• Reading Proficiency: 38.13% (26.80% meets, 11.33% exceeds)
• Science Proficiency: 19.78% (12.83% meets, 6.95% exceeds)

Upshur County Schools

Upshur County previously received approval to close Rock Cave Elementary School to consolidate it into French Creek Elementary.

• Enrollment: Approximately 3,700 students
• Math Proficiency: 36.33% (16.18% meets, 20.15% exceeds)
• Reading Proficiency: 43.22% (26.07% meets, 17.15% exceeds)
• Science Proficiency: 26.57% (18.39% meets, 8.18% exceeds)

Webster County Schools

• Enrollment: Slightly more than 1,000 students
• Math Proficiency: 24.48% (14.44% meets, 10.04% exceeds)
• Reading Proficiency: 41.55% (27.14% meets, 14.41% exceeds)
• Science Proficiency: 22.01% (15.31% meets, 6.70% exceeds)

Chronic Absenteeism Gaps

The statewide results highlighted a distinct performance gap linked to chronic absenteeism. Across West Virginia, students who are chronically absent scored nearly 15% lower in ELA proficiency and 20% lower in math proficiency across all grade levels. Local school boards continue to target absenteeism as they roll out state academic initiatives, including the Ready, Read, Write, West Virginia literacy campaign and the Unite with Numeracy mathematics program.

County-level and school-specific proficiency breakdowns across all 14 local counties are fully searchable on the WVDE’s public ZoomWV Dashboard.

Editor’s note: The video for this story will be added once it airs. Please check back for the updated video.