Nitro High School is a public high school in the city of Nitro in Kanawha County, West Virginia. It is one of eight public high schools in the Kanawha County School District.
Serving 818 students in grades 9-12, Nitro High School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in West Virginia for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 20-24% (which is lower than the West Virginia state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 55-59% (which is higher than the West Virginia state average of 41%).
The student-teacher ratio of 20:1 is higher than the West Virginia state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 15% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the West Virginia state average of 13% (majority Black).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 818 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1
- Minority Enrollment: 15%
- Graduation Rate: 85-89% (Btm 50% in WV)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 55-59% (Top 10%)
- Science Proficiency: 30-34% (Top 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Nitro High School serves the northwest part of its school district in Nitro, WV, covering an area of approximately 31.3 square miles. Most students live within a 10 to 12-minute drive, with an average distance of 3.9 miles from the school to the zone's edge.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), WV Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Nitro High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in West Virginia for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
School Overview
Nitro High School's student population of 818 students has grown by 5% over five school years.
The teacher population of 40 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
818 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
40 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1917
School Rankings
Nitro High School ranks within the top 50% of all 617 schools in West Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Nitro High School is 0.27, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.23. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#227 out of 617 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-24%
34%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
55-59%
41%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
30-34%
28%
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
13:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
1%
1%
Showing 2008–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
2%
3%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 29-year historical data available below ↓
Black
7%
4%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
White
85%
87%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
5%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 11-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
85-89%
92.6%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)26.4%
33.8%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
32%
50%
Showing 2012–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
5%
Showing 2012–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Black, Red
School Mascot
Wildcat
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), WV Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nitro High School's ranking?
Nitro High School is ranked #227 out of 617 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in West Virginia.
What schools are Nitro High School often compared to?
Nitro High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Saint Albans High School, George Washington High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
20-24% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% WV state average), while 55-59% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 41% WV state average).
What is the graduation rate of Nitro High School?
The graduation rate of Nitro High School is 85-89%, which is lower than the West Virginia state average of 92.6%.
How many students attend Nitro High School?
818 students attend Nitro High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
85% of Nitro High School students are White, 7% of students are Black, 5% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Nitro High School?
Nitro High School has a student ration of 20:1, which is higher than the West Virginia state average of 13:1.
What grades does Nitro High School offer ?
Nitro High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Nitro High School part of?
Nitro High School is part of Kanawha County Schools.
School Reviews
5 10/10/2025
This school came highly recommended to me and I will highly recommend it to everyone!
1 10/10/2025
Not A very good school, went here from 2012 to 2016 and was on the verge of suspension for false accusations including dosing despite my computer lab only being for virtual classes (later in the year), principal here is also very rude to everyone he sees and only thinks of himself and raises. Lunch here is normal garbage food, which At this point is fine. Compares on how bad Andrew Jackson middle school was.
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