For the 2026-27 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 2,444 students in Mcdowell County, WV (there are 1 private school, serving 11 private students). 100% of all K-12 students in Mcdowell County, WV are educated in public schools (compared to the WV state average of 95%).
The top-ranked public schools in Mcdowell County, WV are Fall River Elementary School, Welch Elementary School and River View High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Mcdowell County, WV public schools have an average math proficiency score of 19% (versus the West Virginia public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 27% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in Mcdowell County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of West Virginia public schools.
Minority enrollment is 12% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the West Virginia public school average of 13% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Mcdowell County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Fall River Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
13 Falcon Drive
Big Sandy, WV 24816
(304) 656-7665
Big Sandy, WV 24816
(304) 656-7665
Gr: PK-5 | 112 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #22.
Welch Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1235 Stewart St
Welch, WV 24801
(304) 436-4645
Welch, WV 24801
(304) 436-4645
Gr: PK-5 | 189 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #33.
River View High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
512 Mountaineer Highway
Bradshaw, WV 24817
(304) 967-7480
Bradshaw, WV 24817
(304) 967-7480
Gr: 9-12 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #44.
Bradshaw Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
660 Mountaineer Highway
Bradshaw, WV 24817
(304) 967-7700
Bradshaw, WV 24817
(304) 967-7700
Gr: PK-5 | 214 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Iaeger Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
182 Water Street
Iaeger, WV 24844
(304) 938-2227
Iaeger, WV 24844
(304) 938-2227
Gr: PK-5 | 201 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Kimball Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
28631 Coal Heritage Road
Kimball, WV 24853
(304) 585-7570
Kimball, WV 24853
(304) 585-7570
Gr: PK-5 | 164 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #77.
Southside K-8
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
13509 Rocket Boy Drive
War, WV 24892
(304) 875-2283
War, WV 24892
(304) 875-2283
Gr: PK-8 | 266 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #88.
Sandy River Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
446 Mountaineer Highway
Bradshaw, WV 24817
(304) 967-5364
Bradshaw, WV 24817
(304) 967-5364
Gr: 6-8 | 240 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
Rank: #99.
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 | 521 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: n/an/a
Mcdowell Career & Technology Center
Vocational School
1 Stadium Drive
Welch, WV 24801
(304) 436-3488
Welch, WV 24801
(304) 436-3488
Gr: 9-12
Mcdowell County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Po Box 119
Bartley, WV 24813
(304) 967-7610
Bartley, WV 24813
(304) 967-7610
Gr: K-8 | 79 students Minority enrollment: 1%
Road 9 - Off Route 16
Berwind, WV 24815
(304) 875-3416
Berwind, WV 24815
(304) 875-3416
Gr: PK-8 | 161 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Po Box 250
Gary, WV 24836
(304) 448-2445
Gary, WV 24836
(304) 448-2445
Gr: PK-6 | 108 students Minority enrollment: 34%
Mcdowell County Alternative School (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
Drawer V
Northfork, WV 24868
(304) 862-3331
Northfork, WV 24868
(304) 862-3331
Gr: 7-12
960 Mount View Road
Welch, WV 24801
(304) 436-4657
Welch, WV 24801
(304) 436-4657
Gr: 6-8 | 389 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Drawer E
Maybeury, WV 24861
(304) 827-4205
Maybeury, WV 24861
(304) 827-4205
Gr: PK-6 | 215 students Minority enrollment: 35%
Main Street Route 16
War, WV 24892
(304) 875-2942
War, WV 24892
(304) 875-2942
Gr: PK-8 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Mcdowell County, WV?
The top-ranked public schools in Mcdowell County, WV include Fall River Elementary School, Welch Elementary School and River View High School.
How many public schools are located in Mcdowell County?
10 public schools are located in Mcdowell County.
What percentage of students in Mcdowell County go to public school?
100% of all K-12 students in Mcdowell County are educated in public schools (compared to the WV state average of 95%).
What is the racial composition of students in Mcdowell County?
Mcdowell County public schools minority enrollment is 12% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the West Virginia public schools average of 13% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Mcdowell County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Mcdowell County include: Sandy River Middle School vs. Southside K-8, Welch Elementary School vs. Iaeger Elementary School, Iaeger Elementary School vs. Kimball Elementary School
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