2026 data 26 schools WV

Best Schools in CHARLESTON, WV

26 public K-12 schools in CHARLESTON from NCES Common Core of Data: enrollment, grade span, demographics, and Civil Rights Data Collection statistics for every active campus.

26 public schools ranked by quality score. NCES CCD 2022-23 data.

Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions families make. This page ranks every public school in CHARLESTON, WV using a composite quality score based on student-teacher ratios, counselor access, gifted program availability, and attendance rates. All data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data for the 2022-23 school year.

26
Schools
10,234
Students
Avg Quality
16.1:1
Avg Class Size

How the CHARLESTON Public-School Landscape Breaks Down

CHARLESTON, WV enrolls 10,234 students across 26 public schools reporting to the National Center for Education Statistics. The average student-teacher ratio across the city is 16.1:1, Schools must report at least five campuses in a city to appear in this listing, which is why very small towns may redirect to the broader county or state view.

The highest-ranked campus in CHARLESTON is West Virginia Virtual Academy with 1,654 enrolled students at the other level. Families should treat any single ranking as a starting point rather than a verdict — a school serving fewer at-risk students or offering more AP classes will score higher on resource-based composites even if individual teachers or programs elsewhere are stronger. The quality score framework is transparent and rebuilt from raw NCES and Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) inputs, so each component can be inspected on the individual school pages linked in the table below.

CHARLESTON schools sit within multiple district boundaries, which matters for property taxes, redistricting votes, and bond measures. Each district files its own NCES F-33 financial return, meaning per-pupil spending can vary noticeably even between neighbouring campuses in the same city. Use the table to sort by enrollment, level, or district, then click any school name for campus-level demographics, Title I status, counselor and nurse staffing, AP courses, chronic-absenteeism rates, and district per-pupil spending. The sidebar links also connect CHARLESTON housing costs, wage data, and crime statistics — context many parents weigh alongside test-adjacent school signals when relocating.

CHARLESTON school enrollment varies 12× across entities

CHARLESTON school enrollment ranges from 134 students (lowest) to 1,654 students (highest), a spread of 1,520 students. That spread reflects typical urban portfolio variation between specialty programs and large neighbourhood schools. Per-school staffing, programme depth, and capital-renovation cycles often diverge inside the same city based on enrollment shape — a 200-student magnet runs a different operational model than a 2,000-student comprehensive high school.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

CHARLESTON student-teacher ratio is 16.1:1 — near the typical range (US average ~16) — aligned with the U.S. average of approximately 16:1

student-teacher ratio is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: the ratio counts FTE classroom teachers against total enrollment — push-in specialists, English-language aides, special-education co-teachers, and counselors are not included in most reporting Variation between sub-units within CHARLESTON is typically wider than the CHARLESTON-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data — Public School Universe NCES Common Core of Data — Public School Universe

# School Score
1. West Virginia Virtual Academy
2. George Washington High School 40 D
3. Capital High School 37 F
4. John Adams Middle School 42 D
5. Sissonville High School 54 C-
6. Sissonville Middle School 35 F
7. Andrew Jackson Middle School 25 F
8. Elk Elementary Center 46 D
9. Mary C. Snow West Side Elementary 33 F
10. Flinn Elementary School 46 D
11. Edgewood Elementary 38 F
12. Horace Mann Middle School 37 F
13. Overbrook Elementary School 43 D
14. West Side Middle School 32 F
15. Holz Elementary School 54 C-
16. Cross Lanes Elementary School 44 D
17. Piedmont Year-Round Education 51 C-
18. Ruffner Elementary School 46 D
19. Kanawha City Elementary School 51 C-
20. Chamberlain Elementary School 49 D
21. Ruthlawn Elementary School 57 C
22. Shoals Elementary School 50 C-
23. Kenna Elementary School 56 C
24. Grandview Elementary School 36 F
25. Malden Elementary School 37 F
26. Mary Ingles Elementary School 43 D
27. Chandler Academy 43 D

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best schools in CHARLESTON, WV?

The top-rated school in CHARLESTON is West Virginia Virtual Academy. There are 26 public schools in CHARLESTON with 10,234 total students.

How many schools are in CHARLESTON, WV?

CHARLESTON has 26 public schools with a total enrollment of 10,234 students. Average student-teacher ratio: 16.1:1.

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Data from NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2022-23 and Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) 2021-22. Quality scores based on student-teacher ratio, counselor access, gifted programs, and attendance. Schools must have 5+ in the city to be listed.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.