Mcdowell County Schools School District

30 Central Avenue
Welch, WV 24801
(District boundaries shown in map)
1/
10
Bottom 50%
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 2,444 students in Mcdowell County Schools School District. This district's average testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in West Virginia.
Public Schools in Mcdowell County Schools School District 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 41% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 12% of the student body (majority Black), which is equal to the West Virginia public school average of 12% (majority Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (WV)
# Schools
10 Schools
702 Schools
# Students
2,444 Students
246,379 Students
# Teachers
181 Teachers
18,676 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Mcdowell County Schools School District, 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.
This School District
State Average (WV)
#54 out of 57 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
19%
34%
27%
41%
14%
28%
85%
91%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.22
0.22
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
1%
2%
% Black
7%
4%
% White
88%
88%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $17,922 is higher than the state median of $15,963. The school district revenue/student has grown by 10% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $17,162 is higher than the state median of $15,138. The school district spending/student has grown by 10% over four school years.
This School District
This State (WV)
Total Revenue
$44 MM
$3,933 MM
Spending
$42 MM
$3,730 MM
Revenue / Student
$17,922
$15,963
Spending / Student
$17,162
$15,138

Best Mcdowell County Schools School District Public Schools (2025-26)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Fall River Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
13 Falcon Drive
Big Sandy, WV 24816
(304) 656-7665
Gr: PK-5 | 118 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #22.
Welch Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1235 Stewart St
Welch, WV 24801
(304) 436-4645
Gr: PK-5 | 216 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #33.
River View High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
512 Mountaineer Highway
Bradshaw, WV 24817
(304) 967-7480
Gr: 9-12 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #44.
Bradshaw Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
740 Mountaineer Highway
Bradshaw, WV 24817
(304) 967-7700
Gr: PK-5 | 256 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Iaeger Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
182 Water Street
Iaeger, WV 24844
(304) 938-2227
Gr: PK-5 | 221 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Kimball Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
28631 Coal Heritage Road
Kimball, WV 24853
(304) 585-7570
Gr: PK-5 | 169 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #77.
Southside K-8
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
13509 Rocket Boy Drive
War, WV 24892
(304) 875-2238
Gr: PK-8 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #88.
Sandy River Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
36 Sandy River Way
Avondale, WV 24811
(304) 967-5364
Gr: 6-8 | 221 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: #99.
Mount View High School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
950 Mount View Rd
Welch, WV 24801
(304) 436-2939
Gr: 6-12 | 553 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: n/an/a
Mcdowell Career & Technology Center
Vocational School
1 Stadium Dr
Welch, WV 24801
(304) 436-3488
Gr: 9-12

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Mcdowell County Schools School District?
Mcdowell County Schools School District manages 10 public schools serving 2,444 students.
What is the rank of Mcdowell County Schools School District?
Mcdowell County Schools School District is ranked #55 out of 57 school districts in West Virginia (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year.
What is the racial composition of students in Mcdowell County Schools School District?
88% of Mcdowell County Schools School District students are White, 7% of students are Black, 4% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Hispanic.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Mcdowell County Schools School District?
Mcdowell County Schools School District has a student/teacher ratio of 14:1, which is higher than the West Virginia state average of 13:1.
What is Mcdowell County Schools School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $17,162 is higher than the state median of $15,138. The school district spending/student has grown by 10% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2025-26)

  • District size: 10 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 2,444 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 12%
  • : 85% (Btm 50% in WV)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 19% (Btm 50%)
  • : 27% (Btm 50%)
  • : 14% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), WV Dept. of Education

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